Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep might or may not be the first choice on your wishlist while searching for the best places to visit across India or somewhat the world. If you’ve never given it thought of travelling, do it now! It’s never too late to chase your dream. Make Lakshadweep your kind of chilling spot among several other amazing Indian regions.

Lakshadweep is one of the smallest Union Indian territories which is made up of a cluster of multiple (36 atolls and corals) Islands (only 10 of them are inhabited) making it one of the most favourable tourist destinations in recent days. The islands of Lakshadweep consist of numerous stunning beaches, clear backwaters, turquoise, and crystal clear seashores perfect for snorkelling and other aquatic adventures or aquamarine sports, greenery, and an abundance of serenity in luxury. Coastlines and corals add another factor to this place for solo travellers, gipsies, group nomads, honeymooning romantic couples, lovebirds, families, and everyone else.

Not only this much! It has more to offer you. Now you don’t need to go to seven seas afar and spend lakhs in just a few days for a similar experience that you can get in a few thousand in Lakshadweep. This article is the ultimate guide for you if you are planning to travel to Lakshadweep for a memorable travel experience and an Instagrammable excursion for your feed. 

Highly Recommended Places To Visit in Lakshadweep

If you’re planning a trip to Lakshadweep, don’t ever compromise on a stunning travel experience. Explore each hotspot of the Island with excitement and endeavour. Here are a few of the most visited yet mostly untouched tourist places in Lakshadweep that you must visit at least once in your lifetime:-

Minicoy Island: Go for boat riding

Minicoy Island or Miliku has all the plants prominent to Lakshadweep which is located on the southwest coast of the Archipelago. Famously known for its white-sand beaches, hiking, food spree, and boat riding experience. 

 Kadmat Island: Taste the best food here

 Filled with corals all over the island, it has one of the vibrant aquamarine backdrops where locals rely upon fishing. Try seafood authentically prepared by locals here and you can go snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, marine life watching, and deep-sea diving. 

Kavaratti Island: Witness the golden hours of sunset

Being a white sandy beach of Lakshadweep, this island has a serene lagoon and lush green flora making it the top choice for travellers across the world. Enjoy the euphoric scenarios here or walk down the beaches. 

 Marine Museum: Encounter the underwater diaspora 

Witness the artefacts and aquatic lifestyle of the island to get breathtaking insights into underwater creatures. Watch distinct categories of fishes and adorable water buddies. Shhhhh… can be friends with a fish you like the most there! 

Pitti Bird Sanctuary: Birdwatching spot

 Proceed towards Pitti Island while visiting Kalpeni Island. You can explore this serene and clean island located in the middle of the seas where you can watch mesmerising coral reefs, do snorkelling, watch beautiful birds all along the island, and spend time with water-buddies there. 

 Thinnakara Island: Stunning lagoons 

Almost at a distance of 40 minutes from Agatti Island, you can go for an aqua-venture (aquatic adventure) that feels like a private island experience for luxury. Hotels are limited on this island, so book your room slots before going there. Explore lagoons here. 

Kalpeni Island: Stroll to relax your hurting head

Relax your head at privately-owned resorts on this island and relish the authentic food of Lakshadweep here. If you are travelling solo, this is your perfect spot to enjoy serenity at its best. 

 Bangaram Atoll: The island’s paradise

It’s one of the most popular tourist spots among Lakshadweep islands where you can hop on several fun and adventure activities like parties, alcohol sprees, and much more. 

 Agatti Island: Love tuna? The perfect spot is here for you!

 If you’re fond of seafood cuisines, especially tuna curries, then have this place as your top choice of the islands. But, wait! There are more for vegetarian people as well. Try out specially curated cuisines here!

 Kiltan Island: Witness the patches of colonialism 

Mangalorean crowd loves this spot! Why? This place has prominence with the past colonial period ensuring the architectural and establishment diligence from then times. It has to offer you the most viable lagoon and sparkling coral experience for a lifetime. 

 Amini Beach: Scuba divers are always wandering here, wanna join?

Amini Beach is not a piece of cake for all! If you visit this island in Lakshadweep at your own risk. Want to know why? Because you cannot escape from here without diving into the depths of stunning clear seawater. It houses the best amenities for snorkelers, scuba divers, kayakers, and walkers of coral sandstone. Sip the cocktail of your choice and enjoy sunbathing, while visiting here. 

 Andrott Island: History worms, are you? This spot is for you!

 Andrott Island is among those islands that house marine life like octopuses, and distinct fishes or more. The historical backdrops related to this island are more luminous than it seem. You can hop on some of the Buddhist ruins, historical architecture, and more here. 

What is the Best Time to Visit Lakshadweep

However, you can visit Lakshadweep anytime throughout the year. The reason? It’s such a beautiful and grandeur place in this world, that you can never go wrong with it. But the best travelling experience in Lakshadweep would be from October to March. 

Summer day visits:-

Months- March to May

Temperature- 22 to 35 degrees

Ideal for-  water sports, aquatic adventure, beach excursions

 Monsoon day visits:- 

 Months- June to August

Temperature- Fluctuating (can cause flight delays or challenges)

Ideal for- Mostly affected excursions

Winter day visits:-

Months- September to February

Temperature- 15 to max. 25 degrees

Ideal for- Beach activities, lifestyle and food sprees, sightseeing. 

Delicious Cuisine of Lakshadweep You Should Try Once in Your Lifetime

In Lakshadweep right now? Don’t forget to have your stomach filled with the mouth-watering authentic cuisines of Lakshadweep. Trust this or not, you will never forget the taste of its food and aroma. We have given you here some food suggestions out of curiosity, check that out while roaming around the lanes of Lakshadweep and… drooooool…:-

• Banana Chips- All-time favourite to every one of us, savoury and crispy chip snacks
• Kinnathappam- Sweet and steamed rice cakes with grilled fish
• Lobster Masala- One of the top kinds of seafood across Lakshadweep
• Adukku Pathiri- Yummy rice bread layered for flavourful punch
• Bondi - Crunch at the first bite snacks
• Kudukka- The aromatic and delicate dish across the islands
• Kavaratti Biryani - You can’t miss on this dish, the flavoured and exotic delicacy
• Tuna Curry - It’s made especially out of spicy aroma with the coastal tuna
• Mussel Pickle - A condiment to complement your taste buds made with seafood
• Moplah Cuisines - Traditional and aromatic dishes across the islands of Lakshadweep 
• Kallummakaya Curry - One of the most demanded delicacies

How to Reach Lakshadweep

Just a little guide to help you reach the Islands of Lakshadweep. Just to make sure you don’t reach somewhere other than reaching out to Lakshadweep. 

• You can reach Lakshadweep by flight or ship which usually operates from Cochin or Kochi. Kochi (Kerala) is the gateway to Lakshadweep reaching Agatti and Bangaram islands in Lakshadweep. 
• The flight distance from Cochin to Agatti takes 1.5 hours to reach, which runs 6 days per week. 
• You need to reach Agatti (the only airstrip in Lakshadweep) from Cochin (if you travel by flight). Later you can take a boat ride to Kidmat and Kavaratti islands. 
• If you are planning to reach Lakshadweep islands by ship, there are limited ships available from Kochi/Cochin. The ship names are- MV Kavaratti, MV Minicoy, MV Amindivi, MV Corals, MV Lagoon, MV Lakshadweep Sea, and MV Arabian Sea. Travelling from ships can take almost 15-18 hours of flight. 

Note:- Carry small bags or light-weighted luggage with you, because flights to Lakshadweep are small resulting in a limitation of heavy items of luggage.

Steps to follow before reaching Lakshadweep:-

• Visit the official website of Lakshadweep and get an online clearance certification. Get the certificates verified by the local police in your area. Keep handy the documents of your identification and 3 passport-size photographs. 
• Download the online/digital permit from the official website of Lakshadweep administration or the regional office at [Lakshadweep Administrative Office, Willington Island, Kochi, Kerala]. 
• After reaching Lakshadweep, you must reach out and hand in the police verified and online permission to the station house officer of Lakshadweep.

Do’s & Don’ts in Lakshadweep

Remember, every place has its own set of rules or some guidelines that a visitor should follow to make good relations with fellow travellers and locals. Some of those rules belonging to Lakshadweep are given for your support, give it a little attention here:-

Do’s:-

 Having fun, adventure, shopper’s spree, food even at the nooks, socialising, diving, snorkelling, dancing with joy ....And much more is allowed! Happy exploring Lakshadweep y’all. 

Don’t:-

 Don’t ask for alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The only island out of 36 clusters in Lakshadweep that serves you the alcohol of your choice is Bangaram.