Lakshadweep has one of the most beautiful and untouched beaches in the world. This Archipelago (group of Islands) is heaven for those looking for an offbeat yet relaxing beach vacation.
Lakshadweep is not only one of the best places to visit in April but its mesmerizing beauty of virgin lagoons will take your breath away and imprint itself forever in your mind.
After the recent visit by PM Modi and his team’s efforts to promote Lakshadweep tourism, this island should be on the top of your travel bucket list this year.
In this article, we will mention everything there is to know about Lakshadweep, such as the main attractions, what you can do there, the best time to visit, and how to reach Lakshadweep.
How to Get to Lakshadweep
It only took a series of posts on X from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Lakshadweep one of the top-rated beach destinations for many Bollywood celebrities to promote tourism.
After serving on X for a while, I realized that I’m not the only one who’s having a major FOMO after seeing all the mesmerizing pictures of Lakshadweep Archipelago.
If you’re on the same page as me and looking for a beachy excursion but don’t know how to get to Lakshadweep, I’ve got you covered! Here’s how you can reach the beautiful, pristine beaches!
How to Reach Lakshadweep from Delhi
There’s no direct way to reach Agatti Island in Lakshadweep from Delhi. To reach Lakshadweep, you’ll have to take a detour since Lakshadweep Island is only connected to Cochin.
If you’re booking a weekend in beach paradise, here’s how to reach Lakshadweep from Delhi:
The cheapest way
The cheapest way to reach Agatti Island from New Delhi is:
- To take a train from New Delhi to Ernakulam Jn., the main railway station in Cochin, Kerala.
- Now, from Cochin airport, take a flight to Agatti airport.
This way, it will take you around 46 hours and 40 minutes to reach. This means that, although it is the cheapest way, it will take you longer than expected to reach your destination.
The fastest way
The fastest way to reach Agatti Island from New Delhi is:
- Take a flight from Delhi take a flight to Kempegowda International Airport in Karnataka, then again take a flight to Cochin International Airport.
- Now from there, board a flight to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.
Since this is the fastest way, it will take you just 14 hours and 35 minutes to reach your destination.
How to Reach Lakshadweep from Mumbai
There are two means to visit Lakshadweep from Mumbai, that is by airplane and ferry. You can either fly to Agatti Island or take a ship straight to Lakshadweep.
The cheapest way
Here’s how to get to Lakshadweep from Mumbai in the cheapest way:
- Take a train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai to Ernakulam Jn., Cochin, Kerala.
- Now, from Cochin airport, take a flight to Agatti airport.
This way, it will take you around 29 hours and 0 minutes to reach, which is longer than expected.
The fastest way
Here’s how to go to Lakshadweep
- You can book a flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to Kempegowda International Airport in Karnataka, then again take a flight to Cochin International Airport.
- Now, from there, board a flight to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.
This way, it will take you around 10 hours and 30 minutes to reach your destination, which is the fastest.
How to Reach Lakshadweep from Bangalore
The only airport that Agatti Island connects to is Cochin Airport, so there are no direct flights from Bangalore either. Here is the cheapest and fastest way to reach Lakshadweep.
The cheapest way
Here’s how to reach Lakshadweep from Bangalore in the cheapest way.
- Take a bus to Kozhikode, Kerala, and then get on a train to Ernakulam Jn., Cochin.
- From here on, you can board a flight from Cochin International Airport to Agatti Airport.
This whole journey will take around 35 hours and 35 minutes to reach your destination.
The fastest way
Here is the fastest way to reach Agatti Island from Bangalore:
- Take a flight from Kempegowda International Airport to Cochin International Airport.
- Now board a flight to Agatti Airport for Lakshadweep.
This whole journey will take around 3 hours and 55 minutes to reach your destination. This might cost you a bit more, but you’ll save more than 30 hours on your journey.
How to Reach Lakshadweep from Pune
The journey to Lakshadweep from Pune is very similar to that from Mumbai; it might just take you a couple of hours more. Here’s how to travel to Lakshadweep from Pune:
The cheapest way
- Take a bus from Pune Ju. to Mumbai, then board a train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai to Ernakulam Jn., Cochin, Kerala.
- Now, from Cochin airport, take a flight to Agatti airport.
The whale journey will be around 44 hours and 20 minutes. By now, you must have figured out that the cheapest way always costs you more time. But if you have some extra hours on your hands, I will recommend you save some bucks on travel!
The fastest way
The fastest way to reach Agatti Island from Pune is:
- You can book a flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai to Kempegowda International Airport in Karnataka, then again take a flight to Cochin International Airport.
- Now from there, board a flight to Agatti Island in Lakshadweep.
This journey will be just 16 hours and 45 minutes long.
Also, to visit Lakshadweep, you will be required to have an entry permit. For which you can apply online as well as offline. Applying online is easier and faster. To apply, you have to:
- Go to the ePermit portal
- Create an account
- Fill out the form with your details
- Choose your island and travel dates
- Upload the required documents
- Pay the fees
The permit cost is ₹50 for each applicant; the heritage fee is ₹100 for children (12 to 18); and ₹200 for adults (above 18). The permit may also take time to get issued so make sure you complete all these requirements at least a week before your trip.
Reach Lakshadweep by Ship
If you prefer a more leisurely journey, you can take a ship from Cochin to Lakshadweep. While savoring the beautiful blues of the ocean and clear sky, remember that a voyage to Lakshadweep takes much longer than a flight.
The availability of the ship services may be limited, and the schedule is subject to change. So make sure to book your tickets in advance and check all the details related to the voyage beforehand.
Places to Visit in Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago of 36 Islands and is widely known for its vibrant marine life, pristine beaches, virgin Lagoons, and untouched coral reefs. It is certainly one of the most beautiful places in India to explore before you die!
Here are some Lakshadweep tourist places that will force you to wonder, “Is this really India?”
- Agatti Island: This is the most developed island in Lakshadweep and the only one that has an airport facility. Agatti Island is known for its beautiful lagoons and coral reefs.
- Bangaram Island: It is famous for its turquoise lagoons and pristine beaches Bangaram is a picture-perfect Island that is surrounded by coral reefs and is an excellent spot for various water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving. You can also witness the extremely rare Bioluminescence Phenomenon here.
- Kavaratti Island: Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep and one of the famous places of Lakshadweep. It is also widely known for its mosques, beautiful lagoons, and water sports facilities. The Ujra mosque, marine aquarium, and artifacts are some of the popular attractions.
- Kalpeni Island: Kalpeni is widely known for its scenic beauty and the three inhabited islets, Tilakkam, Pitti, and Cheriyam. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and the beautiful lagoons here are idle for water sports.
- Minicoy Island: Minicoy is the southernmost Island and is also widely known for its distinctive culture language and ancient lighthouse that was built by the British. Water activities like snorkeling and other water sports are also popular here.
- Lakshadweep archipelago: The Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands with their own unique charm waiting to be explored. The white Sandy beaches and the crystal clear water make this place a heaven for travelers.
- Coral reefs and Marine biodiversity: Since Lakshadweep is a less explored Island it is rich with Marine biodiversity. The coral reefs are packed with beautiful marine life like colorful fishes, and turtles of different sizes. The beautiful coral reefs surround the island like a crown and enhance the overall beauty of the archipelago.
- Water sports: You definitely won’t get bored here because apart from the breathtaking views the island also offers various water sports, including Kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing. With the calm leggings and the crystal clear water, this is the perfect destination for these adventures and sports activities.
- Cultural experience: The culture and language of the people of Lakshadweep are very different from that of the rest of India. Wall spending and accelerating weekends along the horizons experience the unique culture of the local community and intelligent their language in traditional dance forms.
There are a whole lot of adventurous and serene experiences to be discovered in Lakshadweep. So this year instead of rushing off to other more popular beach destinations, give this unexplored paradise a chance, and I’m sure you will never regret it.
Lakshadweep is full of places that you can visit with your friends and family. Here, we have hardly touched on the subject of tourist places in Lakshadweep. If you want to explore further, watch this YouTube vlog by Distance Between:
What Are the Controversies Around Lakshadweep?
PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Lakshadweep Islands has created a stir among Maldivian politicians.
The PM of India uploaded breathtaking pictures of the Lakshadweep Islands and its people on January 4, 2024, encouraging Lakshadweep tourism. There was no mention of the Maldives or any other island nation in this promotion. Still threatened by the popularity of the post and driven by personal hate, Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives Deputy Minister of Youth, Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with many other prominent Maldivian social media influencers, responded to the post with offensive, racist, xenophobic, and derogatory comments targeting not just the Prime Minister but Indians at large.
This created an uproar among Indians and a collective boycott of the Maldives by many social media influencers and Bollywood celebrities. Not just this but more than 8,000 hotels and 2,500 flight tickets were canceled during this time.
Since more than 30% of Maldives tourism is dependent on India, this will be a big blow to the country.
Why is Lakshadweep Not That Popular Among Indians?
Lakshadweep is just as beautiful as any other popular beach destination in the world, but this union territory is recording fewer and fewer visitors each year.
If Lakshadweep is such a beautiful and serene place, then why is it not popular among travelers? Unfortunately, several factors have decreased tourism in Lakshadweep compared to more mainstream tourist destinations. These are:
- Accessibility: Visiting Lakshadweep is not that difficult if you are from the southern part of India. But if you are traveling to India from any other place in the world or even from the northern part of India, traveling to Lakshadweep can be a bit challenging.
The transport options to the island are limited to flights in ships. Lakshadweep has one airport, which is on Agatti Island and connects to Cochin International Airport. Travelers coming from any other place will first have to reach Cochin and then take a flight from there to Lakshadweep.
The ferry schedule can also change frequently and is not as convenient as compared to more popular tourist destinations.
- Permit requirements: Lakshadweep is a part of India, but even Indians require a permit to visit the island before entry. This additional step can deter spontaneous travelers.
- Limited infrastructure: Since the island does not receive many tourists, it has limited tourist infrastructure compared to other developed destinations. This might not look very inviting to people seeking luxury combinations or extensive amenities.
- Lack of awareness in tourism promotions: Compared to other tourist beach destinations in India and around the world, Lakshadweep tourism is not well promoted. I’m sure many people around the world were not even aware of this breathtaking Island before the Maldives — Lakshadweep drift.
Why Should You Visit Lakshadweep?
The tourism in Lakshadweep is not that developed and these breathtaking landscapes are unknown to the majority of the population. This might be seen as a drawback, but it is also the reason behind the pristine beaches, raw, untouched beauty of virgin lagoons, and lush Marine biodiversity of Lakshadweep.
Although Lakshadweep has not yet emerged as a huge beach tourism spot, it is a gem floating along the Arabian Sea just waiting to be explored.
Lakshadweep is definitely worth spending your preciously earned vacation on because the serene experience that you will get here is incompatible with any other mainstream beach spot in the world.
Also, it’s worth noticing that the waters, land, and sky of Lakshadweep are crystal clear. This Island is far away from any kind of pollution, unlike other major tourist spots like the Maldives and Bali.
Comparison Between the Maldives and the Lakshadweep Islands
The Maldives and the Lakshadweep Islands are both stunning archipelagos located in the Indian Ocean, known for their pristine beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant marine life. However, there are several differences between the two destinations. Here’s a comparison:
Geographical Location:
- Maldives: The Maldives is an independent island nation situated southwest of Sri Lanka, comprising 26 atolls and over 1,000 coral islands.
- Lakshadweep Islands: The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of islands located in the Arabian Sea, off the southwestern coast of India. It is a union territory of India and consists of 36 islands.
Tourism:
- Maldives: The Maldives is a well-established international tourist destination known for its luxury resorts, overwater bungalows, and vibrant coral reefs. It attracts tourists from around the world for honeymoon vacations and water-based activities.
- Lakshadweep Islands: While the Lakshadweep Islands are gaining popularity among tourists, especially those seeking a quieter and more secluded experience, they are not as heavily developed for tourism as the Maldives.
Environmental Conservation:
- Maldives: The Maldives faces challenges such as rising sea levels due to climate change. The government has been actively involved in environmental conservation efforts.
- Lakshadweep Islands: Like the Maldives, the Lakshadweep Islands are also susceptible to the impacts of climate change, and conservation efforts are essential to protecting the delicate ecosystems.
Land and Sea Pollution:
- Maldives: The Maldives are beautiful, but excessive tourism has resulted in pollution of both land and sea. Even after some pollution control plans, Maldives is no longer the paradise it used to be.
- Lakshadweep Islands: Lakshadweep, on the other hand, is untouched and unexplored. The virgin beaches and the lagoons are still far away from any kind of pollution.
Conclusion
Take some time out of your busy schedules and plan your next beachy vacation to Lakshadweep, along with all the Bollywood stars, instead of the Maldives or Goa. Chill along the white Sandy beaches in the fresh salty air while witnessing the blinding beauty of coral reefs and virgin lagoons.
I hope this article gives you all the information you need to know about how to visit Lakshadweep Island from different parts of India.
How much does Lakshadweep trip cost?
It depends on different packages but just to give you an idea, it can cost anywhere from 30,000 to 33,000 for 4 nights / 5 days.
Which is the nearest airport to Lakshadweep?
The only airport in Lakshadweep Islands, Agatti Aerodrome (AGX) is situated on Agatti Island.
What is the procedure to visit Lakshadweep?
Anyone who is not a native of Lakshadweep will have to obtain a permit from the Competent authority to enter and reside on this island.
