ABOUT LAKSHADWEEP
“Lakshadweep, the group of 36 islands is known for its exotic and sun-kissed beaches and lush green landscape. The name Lakshadweep in Malayalam and Sanskrit means ‘a hundred thousand islands’. ”
India’s smallest Union Territory Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km. It is a uni-district Union Territory and comprises of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands. The islands have a total area of 32 sq km. The capital is Kavaratti and it is also the principal town of the UT. All Islands are 220 to 440 km away from the coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. The natural landscapes, the sandy beaches, abundance of flora and fauna and the absence of a rushed lifestyle enhance the mystique of Lakshadweep.
Only BSNL and Airtel provides telecommunication services to Lakshadweep Islands. BSNL provides connectivity in all 10 inhabited islands where as Airtel provides connectivity to Kavaratti and Agatti islands.
How to Reach
Lakshadweep Island can be reached by ships and flights operated from Kochi. For all tourist purposes Kochi is the gate way to Lakshadweep.
Agatti and Bangaram islands can be reached by flight from Kochi. Indian Airlines operate flights from Kochi. Onward flights from Kochi are available to most of the airports in India and abroad. Airstrip is there in Agatti island only. From Agatti boats are available to Kavaratti and Kadmat during fair season October to May. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Kavaratti during monsoon season subjected to availability of helicopter. The flight from Cochin to Agatti takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
Seven passenger ships – MV Kavaratti, MV Arabian Sea, MV Lakshadweep Sea, MV Lagoon, MV Corals, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep islands. The passage takes 14 to 18 hours depending on island chosen for journey. The ships offer different classes of accommodation: A/C First Class with two berth cabins, A/C Secound Class with four berth cabins and push back/Bunk Class with A/C seating. A doctor is available on call on board. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offer comfortable A/C seating ideal for a night’s journey. During fair season, high speed vessels operate between islands.
For more information visit https://samudram.utl.gov.in/
For ship tickets visit https://lakport.utl.gov.in/
Entry Permit
Authorized Authorities and Contact details for issue of permits to various category of applicants : Entry Permit – Authorities
Instructions for Issue,Reject,Renew,Endorse and Cancel the Entry Permit to various categories- order dated 19.06.2014 : Entry Permit – Instructions to Authorized Officers
Entry Permit Rules Lakshadweep : Entry Permit Rules
Entry Permit Portal : http://epermit.utl.gov.in
Bangaram
Bangaram is a tiny teardrop shaped island, which lies very close to Agatti and Kavaratti. The tourist resort on this island provides an amazing opportunity for guests to unwind from the pressures and tensions of modern life. Two small islands of Thinnakara and Parali also lie close to Bangaram enclosed by the same lagoon. During the night, phosphorescent plankton washed ashore on the coral sands impart a bluish glow to the beach, which is totally enchanting. Guests to this resort can either avail of the boat transfer or helicopter transfer from Agatti. Being the only uninhabited island resort in Lakshadweep it has got its own charm. An ideal destination for discerning exclusive tourists, Bangaram has carved its presence in the international tourist map.
Bangaram Hut
Beach Art
Beach
Relaxadweep
Sea Turtle
Agatti
Agatti has one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep. The airport is built on this island. From the aircraft, as one approaches for a landing, one gets a breath-taking view of the airstrip on the island. Agatti is the virtual gateway to the islands. A 20-bed tourist complex with all modern amenities has been set up here. Indian Airlines operate flight to Agatti making it one of the most accessible islands in Lakshadweep.
Agatti Airport
Dark Sunset
Coral on Beach
Boat on shallow sea
Sunset
Kadmath
Kadmat is 8 km long and only 550 metres wide at its broadest point. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west, which is ideal for water sports, there is a narrow lagoon on the east. The main attractions are the long sandy beaches and sand banks on the southern tip. Tourist huts built amidst palm groves facing the lagoon allow to soak in the pristine beauty of the ecosystem. Kayaks, sailing boats, pedal boats, skiing boats and glass-bottomed boats are available on hire. A Water Sports Institute functions on the island. Marine Wealth Awareness Package allows to spend 2-4 days on the island enjoying the rich bounty of nature. Kadmat has emerged as one of the most beautiful dive centers in India. Variety of fishes like rays, sharks, and clear water with 20-50 meter visibility makes it an unparalleled dive destination for scuba divers. M/s Lacadives , Mumbai operates a full-fledged scuba diving center at Kadmat. Non Indians are also permitted to visit this island.
Water Sports
Kayaks on Beach
Wind Boat
Minicoy
Minicoy is, in a sense, isolated from the main group of islands and lies about 200 kms south of the northern group. It is 10.6 kms long and is the second largest island after Andrott. Minicoy has one of the largest lagoons with a small uninhabited islet Viringili on its southern side. Minicoy is distinct from the northern group of islands in its culture, language dress etc. It has a cluster of 11 villages, which are called “Ava’h” each presided over by an elected village elder called Bodukaka. Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs are vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully maintained and decorated. Minicoy is renowned for its tradition dance – the Lava performed on festive occasions. Colourful race boats called “Jahadhoni” are a feast to the eye of any tourist. A large number of men from this island are employed as seamen in ships all over the world. Mahl is the spoken language. Minicoy is an important center for tuna fishing and a tuna-canning factory on the island processes the catch. A 300-foot tall lighthouse built in 1885 by the British is a majestic landmark. The beaches have bathing huts with change rooms and facilities for water sports are available. 3 tourist cottages and one 20-bedded tourist home have been constructed for staying tourists. Visit to Minicoy is part of Coral Reef and Swaying Palm packages.
Daffumuttu NMF 2013
Minicoy Folk Dance
Minicoy Folk Dance
Minicoy Fest
Minicoy Beach
Minicoy Beach
Kalpeni
Kalpeni along with two small islets of Tilakkam and Pitti and the uninhabited island of Cheriyam in the north form a single atoll. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni is a huge storm bank of coral debris along its eastern and southeastern shorelines. It is believed that a violent storm in 1847 threw up huge coral boulders along these shores. It is a socially progressive island and it was here that girls first went to school when women’s education was considered taboo. One can swim, snorkel or reef-walk in the vast lagoon and indulge in water sports on kayaks, sailboats and pedal boats. Two bathing huts with change rooms are available at Koomel Beach. Visit to Kalpeni is part of Coral Reef package.
Folk Dance
Folk Dance
Folk Dance
Kalpeni Island
Kalpeni Tip Beach
Water Sports @ Lakshadweep
Beach Art
Kavaratti
Kavaratti is the Headquarters of the Administration and the most developed island. Fifty-two mosques are spread out over the island, the most beautiful being the Ujra mosque. Water from a well near the mosque is believed to have curative powers. The beautiful and calm lagoon offers an ideal spot for water sports, swimming and snorkeling. Sunbathing or just lazing around on the beach can be a heady experience. Marine life enthusiasts can visit the marine aquarium, which has an excellent collection of aquatic specimens. The multicoloured underwater life in the lagoons can be viewed through glass-bottomed boats. Kayaks, wind surfers and sailing boats are available on hire. The Dolphin Dive Centre is an attraction for those who love scuba dive. ‘Coral reef ‘and ‘Taratashi’ tourist packages can be availed to visit this coral paradise.
Kavaratti Aerial View
Kavaratti Northern Beach
Kavaratti NIOT Bridge
Kavaratti NIOT Bridge Side View
Accommodation
SPORTS provide comfortable A/C & Non A/C accommodation in the islands and onboard the ships. The tourist cottages in the islands are clean and well maintained. For certain packages like Coral Reef, overnight accommodation is provided on board the ship. The tourists cottages in the islands are built on the beach front and provide a breath taking lagoon view. Food provided is hygienic and wholesome. During day visits to islands, food is served ashore. While catering to all the comforts of the tourists, intrusive ultra modern gadgets have been avoided by design to provide a really exclusive get away feeling.
Adventures
Water Sports
The vast expanses of the shallow lagoons provide an ideal setting for water sports enthusiasts. All the islands included in the various tourist packages offer kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, sail boats, wind surfers, snorkels sets glass-bottomed boats and other facilities to tourists who wish to indulge in water sports in the unpolluted lagoons. Kadmat, Kavaratti and Bangaram have facilities for scuba diving. Deep-sea fishing buffs can pursue big game fishing. Barracuda, Sail Fish, Yellow Fin Tuna, Triveli and sharks are abundant in the seas around Lakshadweep. Local boats with experienced crew can be hired.
Dolphin Dive Center, Kavaratti
Kavaratti is the headquarter island situated around 404 km off the coast of Cochin. The beautiful calm lagoon in the island is ideal for scuba dive beginners. Open water outside the reef is equally beautiful. The dive center is conveniently located on the northern tip of the island very close to the entrance. Therefore accetourismss to dive spots are easy and quick from the dive center. The island has a 10 bedded resort catering to divers.
It is well known for turtles, soft corals sharks, rays and all kinds of tropical fishes. Dive Spots like Harbour Mouth very close to entrance is abundant with Giant Sea Fans, Giant Triveli , Gorgonians. Like wise Zing Zing Par at the southern tip is famous for big sharks, spotted eagle rays schooling barracuda. A dive at Governors Reef is a lesson in different types of soft corals of attractive colours especially of bright red. One can enjoy amazing cave dives at Wall of Wonder at north west side of the island. A dive at Turtle Nest is worth all different types of turtles there. One can have eye ball contact with grey reef sharks, spotted rays, bat fish and lot of groupers at Wind Mill Point. PADI certified instructors impart training to beginners as well as experienced.
The Kadmat Scuba Diving Centre
Kadmat – one of the most beautiful diving locations in India. An idyllic little island which forms part of the Lakshadweep archipelago, situated 407km. off the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. Kadmat is just 8km long and only 550m wide at its broadest point. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of Kadmat. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the island looks like emerald. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders block the incoming swells of the outer sea. Clear water with 20-50 meter visibility and a variety of fishes like Lion fish, Lobsters, Tuna, rays, sharks, shoaling jacks, fusiliers, sweet lips, groupers, rays, eels, turtles makes it a memorable destination for scuba divers. Pristine beaches, lovely lagoons and the wealth of marine habitat make Kadmat a dream diving locale. The Scuba Diving Centre in the island has become an attraction for water – sport enthusiasts. Kadmat is home to the first Laccadives Dive Centre and School. The Laccadives Kadmat Dive Schootourisml offers beginner to advanced courses throughout the season (1st October to 1st May). The centre caters to certified divers as well. This is the only Dive school in India offering CMAS certification courses from Beginner (1 Star) to Instructor levels.
Minicoy Dive Center
Minicoy is the southern most island in the Lakshadweep group of islands. Situated 398 kms from Cochin , it is the second largest island in size. A crescent shaped island, has a huge lagoon on the western side. It has a tiny islet called Viringili on the southern tip of the island. The island is set apart from other islands as culture, language and tradition are different from other islands. The island has a systematically arranged village system known as ‘Avah’. Each Avah is a cluster of houses which is headed by an elected elderly man called Bodukaka. Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs are vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully decorated and maintained. Mahl is the spoken language. MINICOY is an important centre for tuna fishing. The Light House of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885. It has a 20 bedded resort for accommodating divers and other tourists. Independent tourist cottages are also available in the island.
Minicoy is the only island in Lakshadweep having three large ship wrecks believed to be that of S.S Hoechst and other ships, within 8 mtrs depth on the island reef. It is believed that these ship wreck initiated construction of light house In 1885. These wrecks are virtual underwater museums and fish species found here are larger than average normal size found else where perhaps due to consumption of Ferrous of the wrecks. Manta Ray can be cited in almost all dive sites like Ragganmathi, Mulimatti, Rabberufarai during September – October and January – February. Sharks, bull rays, turtles, school of jacks, red snappers, black snappers, napoleon wrasse, barracuda, sweet lips are in abundance at Bose Point, Murambu, Boduhavaligang . Other interesting species found here are hump back parrot fish and Giant Sweet Lips.
Tourist Packages
“Foreign nationals, only with “tourist visa” will be permitted to Lakshadweep islands”
LAKSHADWEEP A PANORAMIC VIEW
One of world’s most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep is tucked away at 220-440Kms off the Kerala Coast. The islands offer a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The unique feature of the Islands is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to. 4200 sq. kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq. kms. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking. The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is fast becoming India’s one of its kind Adventure sport – Nature Tourism location. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these islands. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the island look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea. The islands are linked to the mainland by: – ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and mechanized sailing wooden vessels. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists.
Lakshadweep was given the National Eco-Tourism Award 1997. For Booking and More details about the packages VISIT SAMUDRAM WEBSITE
LAKSHADWEEP SAMUDRAM
(BY M.V KAVARATTI)
Lakshadweep Samudram is a Five-days cruise to visit the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy by ship- M.V Kavaratti. The island tour is organized during the day with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board the ship. M.V Kavaratti has 150 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkeling and other water sports are arranged during the day’ tour. Children from 1 year and above up to 10 years will be treated as child.
SWAYING PALM PACKAGE
(M.V. KAVARATTI/ M.V. ARABIAN SEA/ M.V LASHADWEEP SEA/ M.V. AMINDIVI/ M.V. MINICOY)
Swaying Palm is a six / seven days tour to Minicoy.Tourists are accommodated in exclusive A/c cottages and other individual cottages built on the beachfront. Journey is by M.V Arabian sea and M.V Lakshadweep sea, M.V. Minicoy and M.V. Amindivi , M.V Kavaratti.Tariff for the cottages as under.
MARINE WEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAMME
(KADMAT ISLAND BY FLIGHT Via Agatti Island)
Marine Wealth Awareness Programme covers a 4 -7 dayspackage to Kadmat to experience the richness and beauty of marine life. One can spend 2-5 fun filled days on the island, Swimming, Snorkeling and Kayaking are included in water sports. A full-fledged water sports institute is functional at Kadmat. The more adventurous can indulge in scuba diving, wind surfing and para sailing. The charges for the package are as under.
TARATASHI PACKAGE
(KAVARATTI ISLAND By Fligh Via Agatti Island)
Taratashi offers a package to visit Kavaratti – the administrative capital of Lakshadweep and a four/five days stay on the island. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba dive lagoon cruise in glass bottomed boat and other water sports are on offer and can make your holiday memorable. The stay on the island is in the tourist huts on beach front.
TENTS IN THINNAKARA
It is literally like staying on one of your own private islands. Thinnakara island is situated just opposite side of Bangaram island and share the vast lagoon and coralline banks, the actual lagoon area amounts to 125.21 Sq kms. On the north-south edge of the lagoon Parali i, Parali ii, Parali iii and Kalpitty are situated. Thinnakara is a tiny teardrop shaped island which lies 8 km northeast from Agatti. The panorama encompasses magnificent lagoons, sylvan sea shores, sun drenched sand and the enchantment of swaying palms, spectacular marine flora and fauna. Watersports crafts like kayaks, glass bottomed boats are available here. You can play beach volleyball and there are vast beach for sunbath.
COTTAGES IN BANGARAM
Bangaram Island, spread over 120 acres is uninhabited except for occasional visitors from the nearby island of Agatti, where the airport is situated. The island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by coral reef. It has been ranked among the best getaways of the world. A matchless sense of well-being takes over and one begins to discover the graceful fishers, porcupines, parrots, Pufferfishes, Hermit Crabs and Seabirds on the vast 120 acres of lush coconut groves in Bangaram. There are numerous adventures like scuba diving, beach games, swimming, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing. The resort has 60 bedded beach cottages (Non AC) with a multi-cuisine restaurant serving myriad delicacies. One can reach Bangaram from Agatti where there is an airport.
SCUBA DIVE PACKAGE
All diving equipment will be provided. Swimming skills and a doctor’s certificate declaring the candidate fit for diving are mandatory. The minimum age to undergo the diving course is 14 years.
