Lakshadweep Island Beaches

Locate : Lakshdweep Island Group India is 250 miles off the southwest coast of India in the Arabian Sea and about 400 km from the Kerala on the Indian mainland.
Touring Season : Through out the year, but the best is May to September.

The Islands
Built on ancient volcanic formations are the Lakshadweep (meaning a hundred thousand islands), the tiniest Union Territory of India. Lakshadweep Islands in India is known as the extreme exotic diving location that lies 250 miles off the southwest coast of India in the Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep Island Group comprise of the 36 islands that are studded like emerald green jewels on a sapphire sea. The Lakshadweep Island Group are also called "the Laccadives" and are located 400-kms away from the state of Kerala on the Indian mainland.

The Island Beaches
The beaches of Lakshadweep are a paradise for divers, but out of Lakshadweep's 36 Arabian Sea coral islands and islets, 10 islands are inhabited, and just 2, Bangaram and Kadmat are open to visitors.The palm veiled beaches of Lakshadweep islands provide coolness even in the hottest summer months, making this island region a destination that can be visited throughout the year.

The Islands in Lakshdweep are :
Kavaratti Island
Kavaratti island presents beautiful calm lagoon forms an ideal spot for water sport swimming and basking on warm sandy beaches. Marine life exhibits can be seen at the marine aquarium which has excellent collection of specimens.

Oceanic Activity at Kavaratti
You can go for swimming, but if you are not good in swimming than do not be displeased,
you can view the exotic underwater world easily through glass bottomed boats provided by several travel associates. Hire kayaks & sailing yachts are also available here. The Dolphin Drive Centre is another attraction for water sports enthusiasts.

Kalpeni Island
Kalpeni Island is loved for its scenic beauty and the small islets called Tilakkam & Pitti and an undomesticated island on the north called Cheriyam. A huge shallow lagoon envelopes all of them. A curious feature of Kalpeni atoll is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern and south-eastern shorelines. It is believed that huge boulders were thrown up during a storm in 1847. It is a progressive island; it was in this island that girls first went to school, when women's education was considered a taboo.

Oceanic Activities at Kalpeni
You can swim, reef-walk or water-sport on kayaks, sail boats & pedal boats. Water sports crafts are given on hire; 2 bathing huts with change-rooms are available, at Koomel Beach Resort. A visit to the baniyan factory and the light house is also included in the day's program.

Minicoy Island
Minicoy Island is about 10.6 Kms long; it is the second longest island in Lakshdweep, the first being Andrott. The crescent shaped Minicoy Lakshadweep is the southern most island in Lakshadweep, and has one of the largest lagoons. The light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885.

Oceanic Activities in Minicoy
Minicoy is an important centre of tuna fishing. You can go to visit the villages, tuna canning factory, the light house and for a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads. The beaches have bathing huts and changing rooms; so swim and beach walk, pedal boat, kayak and sail. All the equipment required can be hired.

Kadmath
Kadmath is 8 Km long and 550 m wide at the broadest point. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal destination for water sports, there is a narrow lagoon on the east. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches and small sand banks on the southern tip for sun baths. There are tourist huts in Kadmath aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves in the beaches facing the lagoon. Kadmath in Lakshdweep is ideal for a real holiday trip, that brings you away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Oceanic Activities
You can enjoy sea breeze and moonlit beach here at Kadmath in Lakshadweep. Water sports crafts like kayaks, pedal boats, sailing yachts, skiing boats and glass bottomed boats can be hired from here. The scuba diving centre in the island has become an attraction for water-sport enthusiasts.

Bangaram Island
The Bangaram Island is covered by a continuous silvery beach. Bangaram is a 128 acres of tropical paradise, encircled by a lagoon 10 km long and 6 km wide consisting an area of about 40 sq km. This pristine island resort is totally un-peopled, with the exception of the Resort.

Oceanic Activities
The lagoons around the islands are calm and clear, offering brilliant opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and sun bathing. The Island of Bangaram is the only resort groomed for stay and water sports and it is possible to cruise around the islands. For dedicated anglers, tuna fishing and deep see fishing and for marine life lovers there are glassbottom boats available. The water is crystal clear and extensively rich in a variety of sea life including corals.

The Island Accessibility
The Lakshadweep group of islands are well connected both by Air and Sea. While Islands like Agatti & Bangaram can be reached by Air, the other islands can be reached by ship from Kochi. The ship offers different classes of accommodations. A/c First class with two/four berth cabins & tourist class with A/c seating. The vessels have all the facilities that go with a passenger vessel , namely video shows, cafeteria & snack bar, upper-deck airing space , entertainment lounge, Doctor on call etc.