Trip To Lakshadweep Islands: Unveiling The Hidden Paradise

Lakshadweep is a place that is probably the best kept secret which I hope stays that way but I cannot stop talking about it. You are probably wondering if it is a good place for a perfect vacation and are not sure. Well, I don't blame you for it. Rather, I am glad because Lakshadweep might lose its shine if it gets too popular. Located more than 200 kilometers off the Malabar Coast lies the spectacular belt of these islands, of which 10 are inhabited. I will cover some of the prettiest of these islands in this post that you must consider visiting.

Agatti Island, Lakshadweep

Agatti Island, Lakshadweep

Cruise To Lakshadweep

Turquoise Water at Lakshadweep

Water Turns Turquoise

Kayaking in Lakshadweep

Agatti Island Beach Road

If you reach here, the first thing you will notice is the stark change in the color of the water. As you move further away from the ocean and towards these islands, they will force you to be awestruck when the shiny opaque blue ocean water turns into the transparent turquoise lagoon water. I can only try to describe the water, but truly it is an experience you must offer your own eyes. The lack of tourist crowds and pollution, coupled with the shallow water, make the lagoon water so scenic. The wind is very playful though. The water lets you watch all its depth till the lagoon's surface, but the wind will cause waves, and your eyes will be stuck with a longing to stare at the water just to catch a couple of glimpses of the surface through the exquisite water. You must be wondering, 'So what makes this place so concealed,' right? Well, the government has turned this place into a restricted area which drives up the cost of visits and limits accessibility to the Lakshadweep Islands. Worry not, as The Wanderers have shared all the necessary details to get here in another post, but first, let's focus on what all these lagoon islands have to offer.

Unlike the brownish sand of Goa or southern parts of India, the sand here is white. I can only try not to romanticize this, but the white sand and the bluish-green water are meant for each other and are a blessing to us. Now, let me take you to the best islands. My favorite ones are Minicoy, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Bangaram, and Agatti. The last one, Agatti isn't that fascinating compared to the others in the list but is the only island I could visit and see with my bare eyes. And believe me, it is still mystical, at least mystical enough to make me write this blog and yearn for another visit to Lakshadweep, a proper one this time. When you get here and see the islands, the first thing you notice past the water and the beach sand is a thick layer of trees, coconut, and palm. Fishery and coconuts majorly serve bread to the locals here, so whenever you come here and for however long, definitely buy a coconut. The coconuts are, of course, good too. Since we are talking about drinks here, I must mention that alcohol is banned in Lakshadweep islands. Also, network availability is limited to BSNL and Airtel to some extent. Additionally, I would like for you to keep in mind that a visit to Lakshadweep islands should preferably be a family trip or a couple's visit. The focus would be on serenity and enjoying each other's presence amidst the exquisite beauty of nature. Thus, a trip with friends might not be ideal.

As we are talking about exquisiteness, let's focus on Minicoy Island, probably the most ravishing of the island group. It is the southernmost island of the group and is just 100 kilometers away from Maldives. The culture here is quite different from the other islands in the island group, and it has one of the largest lagoons. The views are breathtaking, especially if you take a peek from the lighthouse. The lighthouse is a popular attraction of Minicoy Island as it offers a stunning panoramic view of the crescent-shaped lagoon island. Now the only accommodation option available to you is the beach stay run by the government. But don't worry, the resort is beautiful and has everything to take care of you and provide you with a good time. Next up in a trip to Minicoy would be a thrilling peek inside the ocean too. Snorkeling and scuba diving activities provide you with an experience of the ocean that shall stay with you for years and years to cherish.

One thing that is probably the most underrated is the Bangaram Island's bioluminescence, which causes the sand near lagoon water to emit blue light. The island seems to glow at night because of this. I strongly recommend you to stay at Bangaram Island overnight, however, this will drive up your costs by around 5,000 rupees per person. I have talked about staying at Bangaram in the post where I talk about the ways to reach Lakshadweep Islands. The Bangaram Island is uninhabited and is a perfect secluded getaway, making it feel like your very own private beach. Like any other island in Lakshadweep, you will see turtles close to the beach and floating in the clear lagoon water. There are only a handful home stays with amazing beach views which serve as the only accommodation options. If you visit Bangaram, you will see an island nearby which deserves a day trip. This island is Thinakkara Island which offers accommodation in tents if you wish to stay here overnight. You can literally sit on the beach of any island, play volleyball as most of the islands have nets set up for it, have some sea food and just have the best time in all the calmness. Again, the islands offer you amazing scuba diving along with other watersports activities.

If I talk about scuba diving, the thought of the Lakshadweep Islands can never slip out of my mind, especially the names of Kavaratti and Kadmat. Both islands offer the best scuba diving experiences. Bangaram also makes its way into the list and offers wreck diving as there is a shipwreck in its vicinity. Agatti Island also offers diving experiences, and I strongly recommend at least one scuba diving activity at this island group. It is one of the best scuba diving experiences where you get to see and touch corals, and is available at one of the cheapest rates in India in the clearest of the water possible. The rates of watersports activities are mostly regulated by the government and you can find the quotes on its website. You get ample options to enjoy the beaches through watersports activities. Kayaks literally flood some parts of the beaches. So, if you come here, do not forget to thrill yourself a little with these activities in all the serenity!

If you wanna know how my obsession for Lakshadweep began, I credit it to a novel that was gifted to me when I was very young. This novel is Lakshadweep Adventures by Vikram-Aditya story, a very simple story but gives you a complete view of the Lakshadweep Islands. Here is the link for the same:

Check out the post by The Wanderers on reaching Lakshadweep islands if you want to visit this magnificent place and do not hesitate to contact me for any relevant information!