Lakshadweep literally translates to ‘a hundred thousand islands’ or ‘one lakh islands’. In the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep islands are scattered like shining emerald gems. There is a special charm in Lakshadweep’s atolls and that is why, people are amazed and awe-inspired after looking at nature’s best masterpiece. The translucent turquoise waves splash rhythmically against the white sand shores while the swaying palm tries to whisper back in secret. If you are planning to visit this vibrant marine wonderland soon, then check out this list of the 12 best places to visit in Lakshadweep.
In Lakshadweep, you can go for a swim in the tranquil sea waters, snorkel along with the dolphins, watch sea turtles, go kayaking, or explore the mesmerizing coral reefs teeming with marine life.
Here are the 10 unmissable places to visit in Lakshadweep that will soothe your soul and awaken a deep connection with nature.
Mesmerizing Places to Visit in Lakshadweep
1. Agatti Islands
Agatti Island is about 8 km long in the union territory of Lakshadweep. Less than 8000 local residents occupy this island, and you can spend quality time with your friends and family or have the much-needed ‘me time’. The Island has its own aerodrome where weekly flights arrive from Cochin. You need to take a 15-20 minute ride from the airport to reach the turquoise lagoons and the pearly white sands. With minimal human interference, this island is peaceful, secluded, and silent. While you bask under the sun’s warmth, sip on some cold drinks, munch on snacks and shrug off the burdening stress. You must try out the squid, King Prawns, and other Fish varieties on this island. From Agatti Island, you can go on deep-sea fishing excursions, enjoy kayaking or sea diving.
- Time To Spend Here: 1-2 day
- Famous Activities: Snorkeling, Sea Food Dining, Sun-bathing.
2. Minicoy Islands
Minicoy Island is one of the most sought-after tourist places in Lakshadweep. A large number of people come here to have some fun and enjoy the ambiance of the swaying palms and tall coconut trees. The Minicoy Island is the second largest island, with 11 different villages in the Lakshadweep cluster. Also popular as Maliku Atoll, it is present in the southernmost region of the islands and resembles the Maldives to a great extent. When you come here, do not forget to see the breathtaking visage of the ocean and the surrounding landscapes from the British-built Lighthouse.
Also, dig your forks into the delicious Fried Tuna Fish and go on Tuna Fishing expeditions. Snorkeling and deep-sea diving are some of the common activities here. It is a rather enriching experience to dive into the ocean and swim along the colorful corals. If you are visiting Minicoy during any festive season, keep your eyes open for the traditional dance of the Islands – The Lava dance. It is performed by the local men while wearing traditional trousers, headgear, white vests, and scarfs tied to the waist. The loud drum beats are exhilarating!
- Time to Spend Here: 2-3 days
- Famous Activities: Kayaking, Snorkeling, Lighthouse Visit, Deep Sea Diving.
3. Bangaram Islands
This is one of the uninhabited islands in Lakshadweep that covers an area of 123 Ha and has a length of 0.758 miles. It exudes an irresistible charm with its pristine waters, sandy shores, palm trees, and lush coconut groves. The clean lagoons beckon you for a swim, and the exotic food here will impress your taste buds. Most importantly, this is the only island where you can get alcohol and drink alcohol in the open. However, this alcohol is rare to find if you come to Bangaram Island during the off-season. Adventure lovers can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing here. At night, you will see that the creamy white shores are sparkling in glory because of the bioluminescent phytoplanktons. At this time, Bangaram Island looks no less than a paradise.
- Time to Spend Here: 1-2 days
- Famous Activities: Snorkeling, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Hiking
If you love going on road trips, also read: Himalayas to the Ghats: 15 Epic Bike Rides in India for Adventure Seekers.
4. Thinnakara Islands
If you visit the Agatti Islands, your next stop must be Thinnakara Islands. It is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep because of its colorful coral life, silent tropical breeze, soft ocean waves, and peaceful environment. It is an uninhabited island and stands at a distance of 17 km from Agatti Island. If you are a solo traveler, then you will enjoy being in this small yet gorgeous place. Thinnakara is famous for its enthralling sunset cruises, kayaking, canoeing, and beach barbeques. The island is also home to several exotic bird species, and it is soothing that their chirping coupled with the sound of waves is the first thing you’ll hear in the mornings.
- Time To Spend Here: 1-2 days
- Famous Activities: Kayaking, Sunset Cruise, Canoeing, Swimming, and Leisure
5. Kavaratti Islands
Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep, so you can expect a lot of tourist crowd here during the vacation season. The Islands are famous for their white sand beaches and tranquil lagoons. People come here to enjoy peaceful nature walks and relaxation. Visitors prefer to take a ship or boat from Kochi and reach Kavaratti first before exploring the rest of the Lakshadweep islands. You will find adventure activities like dolphin sitings, snorkeling, lagoon cruises, and cultural tours on Kavaratti islands. This is also one of the places to visit in Lakshadweep if you want to see mosques with unique architectural styles.
- Time to Spend Here: 1-2 days
- Famous Activities: Snorkeling, Nature Wlaks, Dolphin Spottings, Cultural Tours.
6. Ujra Mosque
Ujra Mosque is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep and deserves a separate mention. It is a tourist attraction that holds great spiritual prominence in the Lakshadweep Islands, especially in the capital, Kavaratti. You will also see the locals refer to it as the Mohideen Mosque. It has a unique architectural style. There are four broad pillars with beautiful carvings, and a tiled roof sits on them. It greatly resembles the temple architecture of Kerala. Muslims come here to meditate and read the Quran.
- Time to Spend Here: 1 Hour
- Famous Activities: Meditation, Reading Quran, Silent Prayers.
7. Kalpeni Islands
Kalpeni Island is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep if you want some secluded time away from the tourist hustle and bustle. Foreign visitor permits are not sanctioned here, so the island is reserved for Indians only. Seeing how the tourist activity is less, the number of accommodations is less, so you have to pre-book your stay. Exploring the coral reef, marine life, cultural programs, kayaking, and canoeing are some of the famous activities happening on Kalpeni. Don’t miss out on tasting the food made from fresh catch!
- Time to Spend Here: 1-2 days
- Famous Activities: Village Tours, Kayaking, Canoeing, Coral Life Exploration
8. Pitti Bird Sanctuary – Pakshipitti
Pakshipitti is on the southernmost end of the Pitti Bank which is majorly submerged underwater. If you visit the Pitti Bird Sanctuary, you will feel as if the entire bird population of the Lakshadweep islands is resting in one place. There are almost 75 different species of sea birds here, and you can see them flying, eating, chirping, and doing all their daily activities in their natural habitat. Grab your binoculars because this is a spectacular visage you do not want to miss out on! The Pitti Bird Sanctuary comes under the township of Kavaratti and stands at a distance of 24km north of Kavaratti island. The unique thing about this bird sanctuary is that the species of avians are living on a small island ‘together’ but not ‘intermixing’. They are ‘co-living’ but not ‘socializing’. Isn’t that interesting?!
- Time to Spend Here: 2 Hours
- Birds Present: Sooty Tern, The Greater Crested Tern, Brown Noddy
9. Marine Museum
The Marine Museum on Kavaratti Island is a great tourist attraction that tells you a lot about the marine life dwelling in the waters of Lakshadweep. Here, you can see the display of water species, corals, and shells that you can find in and around the ocean. There is a huge skeleton of a shark that stands in the center enclosed in a glass box. There are audio presentations as well and information about how the local villagers follow fishing traditions keeping marine life conservation in mind. It is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep, along with your kids.
- Time to Spend here: 2-3 hours
- Displays present: Fishes, Corals, Shells, Skeletons, and Interactive audio-visual displays.
10. Kiltan Islands
Kiltan is the island that shows you a glimpse of the colonial era of Lakshadweep. This was the leading connecting point for trade between Ceylon and the Persian shores. Kiltan is one of the underexplored places in Lakshadweep, so you can expect to have most of the tourist attractions for yourself, and there is a sense of tranquility here. Moreover, paddleboarding, kayaking, and diving in the lagoons are some of the famous activities here. It is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep if you want to explore untouched lagoons and stunning coral reefs.
- Time To Spend Here: 1 day (prefer not to stay overnight)
- Famous Activities: Kayaking, Paddleboarding, and Sea Diving
You may also like reading: Sailing towards victory in 2023: witness the enchanting Kerala boat race this season.
11. Kadmat Islands
If you love seafood, then Kadmat Island is one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep. The main source of income for people here is fishing, so you will find several stalls that sell all kinds of seafood. The recipes are native, and you can find spicy, delicious, and mouthwatering variants of the same dishes you might be knowing previously. The Island is very famous, just like the capital Kavaratti. However, the crowd is not overwhelming, and you can indulge in activities like scuba diving, Snorkeling, and kayaking.
- Time To Spend Here: 2-3 days
- Famous Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, and Exploring Food.
12. Amindivi or Amini Islands
Amindivi, or the Amini Islands, is present on the Northern side of Lakshadweep and stands closer to Agatti and Kavaratti. It won’t be wrong to call these three islands the ‘Big Three’ of Andaman. Amindivi is famous for its crystal blue waters, unlike the turquoise view you get from most other islands on Andaman. The coral sands are breathtaking, and you can relax while taking a stroll with your loved ones. You will find alcohol here, so enjoy sipping on those exotic cocktails while basking under the sun.
- Time To Spend Here: 1 day
- Famous Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Relaxing Walks, Exploring food and drinks
Now that we have discussed the most enthralling places to visit in Lakshadweep, you must be craving to witness this beauty soon. However, there are no direct flights, trains, or buses to Lakshadweep. You will have to make a pit stop in the cities of Kerala and take ships or boats, or mini-tourism flights to reach the aerodrome of Agatti Island. While you are in Kerala, book your stay at Treebo Hotels which offers the best price and great amenities.
Please Note: Some Islands have limited stay options, and the fastest fingers first takes away the price. Prebook your accommodation in Lakshadweep and do this a few months prior to your date of arrival. This will prevent a lot of hassle, and you can continue sightseeing and tourist activities without any hassle. Happy Vacationing!
