I could regale you with stories and descriptions. But I won’t, at least for now. I’d rather let the picture speak for itself.
Awed? That’s right. And as the title suggests, the picture is not of an exotic island in Greece, nor of one nestled somewhere in the Caribbean, but it is in fact one of Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory.
White, pristine, silver crescent beaches, tall green coconut palms, and an endless sea that comes in every colour of blue. This place is all this and more. Wondering if this is going to be another piece on how amazing Lakshadweep is? Well, yes, that’s exactly what it is! We’re not about to stop till we see those ties off, shorts on and bags packed - just waiting to discover a whole new world.
Overview
Lakshadweep, meaning a hundred thousand islands in Malayalam, is an archipelago located 200-400 km west of the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. Home to India’s only coral reef, the archipelago consists of 36 main islands, of which 10 are inhabited. The inhabited islands are Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Kadmat, Agatti, Amini, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra and Andrott.
One of the last few places in the world where little has changed, the islands in recent years have become popular tourist destinations. However, tourism is restricted to ensure that the environment is not ecologically damaged. An entry permit which is issued at Kochi (Kerala) is required to visit Lakshadweep. And of the 10 islands mentioned above, only the first five are open to tourism. Foreign nationals are restricted to Kadmat, Agatti and Bangaram (this one is uninhabited) islands.
Island Hopping
Swimming and basking on the sandy beaches are common to all the islands, but here are a few sp
ecifics. Kavaratti, the administrative headquarters, is the most developed island. Its attractions include the Ujra mosque, the marine aquarium, and water sports. Kalpeni is known for its scenic beauty and the small islets called Tilakkam & Pitti. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern and south-eastern shorelines. The place is great for reef-walks, kayaking and boating.
The culturally centered Minicoy has one of the largest lagoons. Also, do check out the lighthouse here; constructed in 1885, it is one of the oldest. Kadmat boasts of a water sports institute and a diving school. Bangaram is the only uninhabited island open to tourists. It is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by coral reefs. Known for its amazing under water life, the adventures that could keep you occupied here are scuba diving, snorkelling and deep sea fishing.
Activities
Scuba diving is the main attraction of Lakshadweep. Besides this, there are several things that one can do on the island to stay occupied. Beach walks, reef walks, kayaking, sailing, and cruising on glass bottomed and pedal boats to name a few. The marine life that is waiting to be explored here leans towards the exotic. Multicolored schools of fish, manta rays, eels and even sea turtles inhabit these waters. Also, the place is perfect for seafood lovers.
Getting There & Stay
The tourism here is controlled by the Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism and Sports (SPORTS). So you could sign up for a SPORTS package tour where you sail on board a ship which covers various islands. This is the lowest priced. Staying at the resorts here is also an option. For those who wish to fly, Agatti is connected by flight to the mainland (Kochi).
The best time to visit Lakshadweep is from October to April. So if you ask me, the clock is ticking. Call that travel agent and make your bookings now! The rest of the world may want to flock to Goa, but you go on that exotic Lakshadweep holiday and come back and tell us all about it. Hopefully, I would’ve done exactly the same by then.
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