As the year commences, a wave of excitement surrounds us as this Indian delight finally starts receiving the long-anticipated acknowledgment. Let us embark on a virtual journey to one of the most enchanting and lesser-explored destinations in India – Lakshadweep. Known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and dynamic marine life, the island promises an unparalleled experience for every traveler. Made from the various inputs of Explurger’s seasoned travel content creators, this is a comprehensive guide, listed with the best places to visit in Lakshadweep, delectable foods and more, for your convenience
HOW SHOULD YOU KNOW IF THIS IS FOR YOU?
It can be difficult deciding whether or not a certain destination is for your personalised needs. Taking into deliberation your psycho-somatic capabilities and desires, you can make a Perfect Bucket List. Always consider the climatic conditions, health requirements and most importantly, ask yourself- ‘what constitutes my ideal destination’.
For the purposes of Lakshadweep islands, consider this:
- Secluded ✅
- Tropical ✅
- Aquatic life ✅
- Adventure/ water sports ✅
- Relaxation ✅
- Family/ Group friendly ✅
- Romantic✅
- Budget-friendly ❌
- Short vacation ❌
BEFORE YOU BOARD, KNOW THIS
📍Location: Nestled in the emerald Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Kerela state and for the purpose of tourism, Kochi is the gateway into the archipelago. With 36 islands that span over an area of 32 sq. km, it remains as the smallest Union Territory. The accessible islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra, Andrott, Kalpeni, Bangaram and Minicoy (11/36). It is quite secluded- connectivity, network and lodgings are limited. Your reservations, a clear itinerary and a good data pack can save a lot of trouble. First-time travelers can book a cruise or a travel package from their official site for a convenient stay. You can even check out Explurger’s ‘Explore Your City’ feature to find out what travelers consider as the best places to visit in Lakshadweep.
📜Permits and Rules:
All tourists can only think of visiting this luscious getaway after securing a special permit from the government. The time to process this ranges from 45 days to a couple months. The archipelago is home to a vibrant but sensitive ecosystem which results in some strict laws, i.e., a ban on coral picking, narcotics, alcohol, public nudity, coconut plucking etc. Tourists will be assisted by a representative of SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports). You are advised to clear your entire itinerary with the hotel staff before you even board for Kochi.
🗓️Best Time to Visit:
Tropical destinations typically favor the period between October and April when the weather is tranquil and welcoming. With temperatures ranging from 22°C to 36°C, it’s an ideal climate for water sports enthusiasts. Make arrangements beforehand to visit the best places in Lakshadweep. Engage in the thrill of surfing, enjoy a refreshing swim, explore pristine waters through canoeing, and discover vibrant marine life while snorkelling and scuba diving. Glide across waves with water skiing or embrace the serenity while kayaking. The possibilities are boundless, promising an unforgettable escapade filled with sun-soaked activities and aquatic delights. To truly savour this experience, consider dedicating a week to partake in the myriad offerings. Mark your itinerary on Explurger’s Bucket List so the AI can remind you!
NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE👣
🛩️Kochi ➡️ Agatti Island: All flights and ships will direct you to Agatti and from there, coastal transport can be hailed for exploring further. The island itself boasts of beautiful white sand beaches that are perfect for winding down and relaxing. If you pre-book, you can enjoy swimming with an expanse of remarkable coral reef that is perfect for some existential deliberation on man’s consumerist ideation upon ecological substantiation that manifests in the overwhelming inclination regarding travel trends.
🦞Agatti Island➡️ Bangaram Island: Home to rich marine life and insanely beautiful lagoons, this island hosts a special treat- At night, the coral sands are adorned with a captivating bluish glow as phosphorescent plankton that has washed ashore illuminates the beach. You can enjoy water activities amidst the luxury of seclusion as this island hosts only tourists and otherwise remains abandoned. Shipwreck snorkeling is offered to the more discerning traveler, so make sure you don’t miss that. Most islands in Lakshadweep offer similar scenes- an enriching aquatic experience and a relaxing atmosphere, making it perfect for a holiday, a romantic getaway or an escape from the urban hustle.
🏖️Bangaram Island ➡️ Thinnakara: This is a tiny little uninhabited escape home to magnificent turtle colonies and pristine white beaches. Not long ago one could explore the other islets in Bangaram atoll like Parali but due to erosion, it has been wiped off the face of this Earth. Oh well, just another day on this scary, magnificent planet. Better experience the remaining islands while you can!
🦈Bangaram Island ➡️ Kavaratti Island: Being the capital, it is the most developed of all the islands and offers a couple of man-made delights such as museums and mosques, that captures the attention of a lot of tourists. The lagoons offer an ideal setting for various water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing and swimming among the plethora of incredible aquatic life that holds marvels like sea cucumbers, star fishes, anemones, dolphins etc. If you are tired of the urbane existence, Lakshadweep islands are here to welcome you to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. So, for 2024, add this to your Explurger Bucket List!
🪸Kavaratti Island ➡️ Kadamat Island: When it comes to silvery beaches, Kadamat outshines all others and stands as one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep Island. It hosts exquisite lagoons ideal for water adventure and sports, and the huts are situated at the perfect secluded spot. So not only can you get entranced by the marine life during the day, your moonlit walks at night will make you think of leaving behind the metropolitan hustles and living a simple yet rich life that offers meaning to your existence. Lakshadweep is one of the few places that still hold the power to do that, but as we progress further, who knows what will manifest from this paradise. Try to experience the wonders of this world while you still can, enrich your Automatic Travelogue with details of an adventurous life! Explurger can even connect you with like-minded travelers and globetrotters who have dedicated their life to explore this magnificent planet.
🌊Kadamat Island ➡️ Minicoy Island: Shaped in a crescent, this is the southernmost inhabitance in Lakshadweep, in fact, the closest strip of land to Minicoy is Thuraakunu Island in Maldives. Compared to others, it holds a large population that spans over 10 villages. There is a lot of Maldivian influence on the lifestyle and culture that sets it apart from other places in the archipelago. If you were to take a tour of the villages and learn about the locals, it would make you acknowledge and appreciate the similarities and differences that reside in the spectrum of our species.
🏝️Minicoy Island ➡️ Kalpeni Island: A harmonious balance between modern infrastructure and traditional culture, an exquisite and rare marine life, a plethora of adventure activities, diverse flora and fauna, and enchanting local life is what constitutes a tiny part of Kalpeni. Uninhabited islets namely Tilakkam, Piti and Cheriyam are close by and can be visited in the same day. The lagoons here are the widest but shallow enough for activities. Kalpeni and its islets are a must-visit for an enchanting Lakshadweep experience.
MUST TRY
When you arrive at Lakshadweep Island, certain cultural shocks await you. Instead of recoiling, lean into the unfamiliar and embrace it with open arms. Allow yourself to explore the best of Lakshadweep. Mark your destinations in Explurger’s Bucket List today and you’ll be alerted as you enter the 50-mile radius. It makes travel so much easier when there’s AI to keep track of your activities!
🫂The culture: Kerela has influence over most of the islands except Minicoy, where Maldivian heritage has an upper hand. Theres a majority of Muslim population who speak mostly Malyalam, Tamil, English, Hindi and Divehi and frequent the many mosques scattered across the archipelago. Traditions and festivals unique to Lakshadweep must be explored, after consulting with the locals so as to not cause offense.
🎣The food: As for any tropical place, seafood, coconuts and fried food makes a prominent appearance. Some of the must try dishes are: Kilanji, Mus Kavaab, Octopus Fry, Maas Podichathu, and Batla Appam. The varieties are limited and so one must suffice with trying what they are offered.
🤿 Activities: Apart from luxuriating in the islandic sun, there are a myriad ways of using the abundant water. Snorkeling, Scuba diving, Sunset cruises, Parasailing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, Water skiing, etc. are offered for tourists to enjoy. Keep in mind that the Lakshadweep islands have a sensitive eco system that should not be disturbed. Enjoy the beauty of the coral reefs but do not pick them! That’s a serious offense.
Step into the enchanting realm of Lakshadweep with our travel social app, Explurger as your digital guide in 2024! As the year unfolds, we invite you to explore the sun-kissed beaches, azure waters, and vibrant culture of this Indian archipelago like never before. Our specialized platform combines the art of storytelling with cutting-edge technology, offering you Automatic Travelogues that seamlessly capture your Lakshadweep adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, our app is your passport to curating personalized Bucket Lists, ensuring that every dream destination, coral atoll, and cultural gem in Lakshadweep becomes an integral part of your travel narrative. Join us on this virtual journey as we unlock the digital doors to Lakshadweep’s treasures in 2024. It’s time to turn your travel aspirations into captivating tales and unforgettable experiences!
These seasoned globetrotters have shared their adventurous escapades to Lakshadweep on Explurger
Kirti and Rajat have explored more than 20 countries and share their experience and travel tips for fellow travelers. They spent a week sighting the best places in Lakshadweep, diving into its secrets and delighting in the azure waters that seem to stretch forever.
Pravesh Prabhu is another globetrotter who shares his travel diaries on Explurger. He fancies ariel photography to demonstrate the vast beauty of this world. He stayed in the archipelago for 8 days for an enriching experience.
Download the App now!
Android: https://bit.ly/2rcosWD