Travel Guide
Lakshadweep is one of India's most restricted and pristine destinations. Getting here takes planning — but the reward is an archipelago almost entirely untouched by mass tourism.
Entry permit
Required for all visitors
Best season
Oct – May
Distance from Kochi
200 – 400 km
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Language
Jeseri, Mahl, Malayalam
Religion
Predominantly Islam
Step one
Entry permits
The Lakshadweep Administration has significantly relaxed entry permit rules to boost tourism. Indian nationals can now obtain permits more easily, and the process has been streamlined to encourage more visitors while continuing to protect the islands' fragile ecology and indigenous culture.
Indian nationals
- Entry permits are now available online through the Lakshadweep Administration portal (lakshadweep.gov.in) — no tour operator required for most islands.
- Submit a copy of your Aadhaar card or passport, a passport-sized photograph, and your travel itinerary.
- Processing has been expedited to 1–3 working days under the new relaxed rules.
- Permits are free of charge for Indian nationals.
- Multiple-island permits can now be issued on a single application — no need to apply separately for each island.
- Day-trip permits are available for select islands, allowing visitors to explore without an overnight stay requirement.
Foreign nationals
- Foreign nationals require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in addition to a valid Indian visa.
- Apply through the Lakshadweep Administration or a registered tour operator at least 4 weeks before travel.
- Submit passport copy, Indian visa copy, photograph, and travel itinerary.
- Access has been expanded beyond Bangaram — foreign tourists may now visit Agatti, Kavaratti, and select other islands on approved package tours.
- Independent travel for foreign nationals remains restricted; travel must be through a licensed tour operator.
- Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals are not permitted to visit.
Updated 2026: The Lakshadweep Administration has eased permit rules to encourage tourism. Permits are still island-specific but multi-island permits are now issued on a single application. Always carry your permit — it will be checked on arrival at each island. Rules may be updated further; verify the latest requirements at lakshadweep.gov.in before travel.
The journey
Getting there
Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Lakshadweep. Agatti Island has the only airport in the archipelago — a short airstrip that handles ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprop aircraft.
- 1Alliance Air (now operated by regional carriers) operates daily flights from Kochi (Cochin International Airport) to Agatti. Flight time is approximately 1.5 hours.
- 2Seats are limited — book as far in advance as possible, especially for the October–May peak season.
- 3From Agatti, you can reach other islands by speedboat (30–90 minutes) or helicopter (where available).
- 4The Agatti airstrip is short and subject to weather closures. Always have a flexible return schedule.
When to go
Best time to visit
October – February
Dry, sunny, calm seas
The best time for water sports, snorkelling, and diving. Seas are calm, visibility is superb, and the weather is reliably sunny. Book accommodation and permits well in advance — this is when the islands are at their most beautiful and most visited.
March – May
Hot, humid, occasional showers
Still good for diving and snorkelling, though the heat can be intense. Fewer visitors than peak season. Some accommodation may be closed for maintenance. Water temperatures are at their highest — excellent for swimming.
June – September
Heavy rain, rough seas
The southwest monsoon hits Lakshadweep hard. Flights are frequently cancelled, ships are suspended, and most tourist facilities close. Not recommended for visitors. The islands are at their most dramatic — lush, green, and storm-battered — but access is unreliable and conditions are difficult.
Where to rest
Where to stay
Accommodation in Lakshadweep is limited by design. The government controls tourism carefully, and there are no large hotels or resort chains. Options range from government-run tourist cottages to the one international-standard resort at Bangaram.
Bangaram Island Resort
Bangaram
The only international-standard resort in Lakshadweep. Bangaram Island Resort offers 30 thatched cottages on a pristine uninhabited island, with a dive centre, water sports, and a bar (the only place in the archipelago where alcohol is served). It is operated by CGH Earth and is the preferred choice for foreign nationals and luxury travellers. Rates are high by Indian standards.
Best for: Honeymooners, divers, foreign nationals
SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports)
Multiple islands
SPORTS is the Lakshadweep Administration's tourism arm. It operates package tours that include accommodation in government-run beach cottages, meals, and water sports. This is the most common way for Indian tourists to visit the islands. Packages are affordable and well-organised, though the cottages are basic. Available for Agatti, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy, and Kadmat.
Best for: Budget travellers, families, first-time visitors
Private homestays
Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy
A small number of island families offer rooms to visitors. Homestays are the most authentic way to experience island life — you eat what the family eats, follow their schedule, and are treated as a guest rather than a customer. They are not advertised online; you need to arrange them through local contacts or a registered tour operator. Facilities are basic but the hospitality is extraordinary.
Best for: Independent travellers, cultural immersion
In the water
Water sports & activities
The lagoons and reefs of Lakshadweep are among the finest in the world for water sports. The water is warm, clear, and teeming with marine life — and because tourism is restricted, the reefs are in exceptional condition.
Scuba diving
All levelsBangaram, Kadmat, Agatti
Lakshadweep's reefs are world-class. Visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres, water temperatures stay between 28–30°C, and the marine life is extraordinary — reef sharks, manta rays, turtles, and hundreds of species of reef fish. Dive centres operate at Bangaram Island Resort and at SPORTS facilities on Kadmat and Agatti. PADI courses are available for beginners.
Snorkelling
BeginnerKalpeni, Kavaratti, Minicoy
The shallow lagoons of Lakshadweep are perfect for snorkelling. The water is so clear that you can see the reef from the surface. Kalpeni's lagoon is particularly famous — it is enclosed by a reef on three sides, creating a natural swimming pool of extraordinary beauty. Equipment is available for hire at all SPORTS facilities.
Kayaking & canoeing
BeginnerKavaratti, Agatti, Kalpeni
Paddling through the lagoons at dawn or dusk is one of the great pleasures of Lakshadweep. The water is flat, the colours are extraordinary, and you can get close to the reef without disturbing it. Kayaks and canoes are available at SPORTS facilities and at Bangaram Island Resort.
Glass-bottom boat rides
All agesAll islands
For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat rides offer a window into the reef world. Local fishermen operate these boats at most islands — a 1–2 hour trip takes you over the reef, where you can watch the fish and coral through the glass floor. An excellent option for families with young children.
Deep-sea fishing
IntermediateAgatti, Bangaram, Minicoy
The waters around Lakshadweep are rich with pelagic fish — tuna, wahoo, barracuda, and sailfish. Deep-sea fishing trips can be arranged through Bangaram Island Resort and through local fishermen on most islands. The pole-and-line method used by local fishermen is sustainable and exciting to watch — or try.
Windsurfing & sailing
IntermediateBangaram, Kadmat
The trade winds that blow across Lakshadweep from October to May create ideal conditions for windsurfing and sailing. Bangaram Island Resort has a well-equipped water sports centre with boards and instruction. The lagoon at Kadmat is also popular with windsurfers.
Take a piece home
Shopping
Lakshadweep is not a shopping destination in the conventional sense — there are no malls, no tourist markets, no souvenir shops. What you can find, if you look, are genuine handicrafts made by island artisans: objects of real quality and cultural significance, not mass-produced trinkets.
Coir products
Amini Island, Kavaratti
Coir rope, mats, baskets, and bags woven from coconut husk fibre. Amini Island is the acknowledged centre of coir craft in Lakshadweep — the women here produce some of the finest coir work in India. Buy directly from the weavers if possible; the quality is far higher than anything sold in mainland shops.
Tortoiseshell & coral jewellery
Kavaratti, Minicoy
Traditional jewellery made from sea materials. Note that the export of tortoiseshell and coral products is restricted under CITES — check current regulations before purchasing. Locally made silver jewellery with coral inlay is a safer and equally beautiful alternative.
Dried tuna & coconut products
All islands
Dried and smoked tuna, coconut oil, and coconut-based products make excellent edible souvenirs. Dried tuna keeps well and is a genuine taste of the islands. Coconut oil from Lakshadweep is cold-pressed and of exceptional quality — very different from the refined oil sold on the mainland.
Wooden crafts
Kavaratti, Androth
Small wooden objects — boxes, trays, and decorative items — made from coconut wood. The grain of coconut wood is beautiful, and the craftsmanship of island woodworkers is high. These are not widely available; ask at your guesthouse or at the local panchayat office for contacts.
Most shopping in Lakshadweep is done through direct contact with artisans or through the government-run Lakshadweep Handicrafts Emporium in Kavaratti. Bargaining is not the norm — prices are fixed and fair.
Good to know
Essential information
Dress code
Lakshadweep is a Muslim-majority territory. Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees when visiting villages, mosques, and markets. Swimwear is acceptable on designated beaches and at resort facilities, but not in public areas.
Photography
Always ask permission before photographing people, particularly women. Photography inside mosques is generally not permitted. The natural environment — reefs, beaches, lagoons — can be photographed freely.
Cash & connectivity
Carry sufficient cash in Indian Rupees. ATMs exist only on Kavaratti and Agatti — other islands have no banking facilities. Mobile connectivity is limited; BSNL has the best coverage. Internet access is slow and unreliable outside of resort facilities.
Health & safety
There are government hospitals on the larger islands, but medical facilities are basic. Carry a personal first-aid kit, any prescription medications, and travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. The sun is intense — use high-SPF sunscreen and stay hydrated.
Environment
Lakshadweep's reefs and lagoons are protected ecosystems. Do not touch or collect coral, shells, or marine life. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Carry your rubbish off the islands — waste management facilities are limited. The islands' beauty depends on visitors treating them with respect.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not available on most islands. Bangaram Island Resort is the main exception. If you require alcohol, plan your itinerary accordingly.
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