Lakshadweep Travel Guide: Tips to Plan a Perfect Trip

Lakshadweep, the smallest Union Territory of India, has recently gained attention from travellers.

When I explored Lakshadweep in 2022 with friends for a week, it felt like a hidden gem. The white sandy beaches and turquoise water amazed me. Hardly there were any tourists on these islands.

However, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited in January 2023 and promoted it as an alternative to the Maldives, interest soared.

Then onwards, Lakshadweep trip is on almost every India’s bucket list. But here is a catch

Unlike other Indian destinations, you can’t just book a flight and go. Many people abandon their plans due to complex travel requirements of Lakshadweep.

My friends and I faced the same issue. Initially, some preferred Goa over the hassle of Lakshadweep.

Convincing them was tough, but we were glad we went. The natural beauty, coral life, and sunsets with fewer tourists made it worth the effort.

This Lakshadweep travel guide covers tips related to permits, transportation, trip costs, and the best accommodation.

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Is it worth it to go Lakshadweep?

Absolutely, Lakshadweep is worth it! Just 10 metres from the white sandy shore, you can snorkel in the Arabian sea blue waters and spot vibrant coral and clownfish.

The islands are tiny, so you’re always near the sea, and with fewer tourists, the place is beautifully preserved.

The nearest mainland of India is 400 km from Lakshadweep! So, imagine how secluded it feels─a group of islands in the Arabian Sea.

With a population of 68.5k as of 2024, it feels like there are more coconut trees than humans on the Lakshadweep islands. The islands are so sparsely populated that you start recognising the local residents after your first four days, and they greet you with a broad smile.

Our scuba instructor Naushad mentioned that the island region is home to 856 species of fish. When I went diving, the only one I could recognise was Nemo, the clownfish, among what seemed like 100 other fish.

The tiny island has a rich historical significance too. You must talk to locals who know their place well.

They can share fascinating historical facts, like how Lakshadweep was nearly occupied by Pakistan, the story of a Muslim saint from Mecca who came here, and the connections between the island with Kochi, and Mysore!

British even called it “Laccadives”

If you want to spend a splendid time by the cleanest beaches in India at a pocket-friendly place, you must travel to this less-visited gem.

The island is least affected with mass tourism – you don’t find international cuisines here. Well if you speak to yourhost, they cook delicious local food with their fresh caught fish!

You travel to Lakshadweep to chill, have relaxed days, mingle with locals without a a rigid plan, visit islands, experience local culture and festivals, eat a lot – But keep it easy here.

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Best Time to Visit Lakshadweep

The best time to visit Lakshadweep is from October to March 2nd week. The weather is cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 27–32°C. For the best marine life experience, visit between September and May, when the sea is calm, and visibility is at its peak for scuba diving and snorkelling.

I visited in January, and the weather was perfect with sunshine and a gentle breeze. The days were sunny without heat waves, and the evenings were breezy, turning the sky into a beautiful purplish-blue at twilight.

Even though Lakshadweep has become more famous, the crowd is regulated. If you prefer a “no other humans” holiday, avoid the 10-day Dussehra holidays in October, the 4-day Diwali break in November, and the last week of December – That is when Lakshadweep tourism reaches the peak.

Any other time from October to March is usually less crowded.

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How many days are required to visit Lakshadweep?

You need a minimum of four days to see the main islands in Lakshadweep. Seven days is ideal, and tourists are allowed to stay for a maximum of seven days on the islands.

When planning your Lakshadweep trip, create your itinerary for four to seven days depending on how long you can spend there. This allows enough time to explore multiple islands, enjoy various water activities, and soak in the natural beauty.

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Lakshadweep Travel permits for tourists

According to the rules, anyone who is not a native of Lakshadweep must obtain a permit from the competent authority before entering and living on the islands – Including every Indian citizen.

Foreign nationals on tourist visas are allowed to enter Lakshadweep, but those on business or work visas are prohibited from entering the islands.

It is important to apply for permit at least a month in advance as they take minimum 15 days to process the permit.

Is passport required for Indian nationals to enter Lakshadweep??

No, Indian nationals do not require a passport to enter Lakshadweep. However, they do need to obtain an entry permit issued by the Lakshadweep Administration using any other National ID such as Aadhar or Driving licence.

Which Islands can you visit in Lakshadweep after getting the permit

Lakshadweep consists of 36 islands, but only a few are open to tourists to protect the interests of the local population and maintain security, as it is a vital naval base. With permits, tourists can visit specifics Agatti, Bangaram, Kadmat, Kavaratti, and Minicoy islands ( Minicoy is about 300 km from Agatti). Most other islands remain off-limits to preserve their natural and cultural integrity.

Where to apply for a Lakshadweep travel permit

You can get your Lakshadweep travel permit in three ways: online portal, registered travel agent, or manual submission.

• Online Portal: The most cost-effective way to get permits.
• Registered Travel Agent: You can book accommodation, boat tours, and island transfers with travel agents. They act as “sponsors” and handle your permit process upon payment. You need to submit a list of documents to them.
• Manual Submission: Download the application form, fill it out, and submit it at the Kavaratti office or the Lakshadweep Administration Office in Kochi. This method is impractical for those who are not in Kochi!

It is best to apply for a permit via a registered travel agent or online at least a month in advance.

We recommend going through a travel agent who arranges sponsor documents, books hotels, and gets your permit easier than struggling with the online application.

Best Lakshadweep travel agents.

Out of at least 50 available agents, we opted for Chediyar Holidays, a local Lakshadweep travel agency and surely they are one of the best on the islands. Unlike other agencies we contacted via Instagram, Sameer from Chediyar Holidays was swift in responding and professional. They know what they are doing.

Upon giving them the documents listed below, they arranged for the permits swiftly without any hassle.

List of Documents Required to Apply for Lakshadweep Travel Permit:

• Identity Proof: Passport, masked Aadhaar, Voter ID, or driving licence (any one).
• Recent passport-sized photograph (white background, frontal view).
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) or Non-Involvement in Offence Certificate: This certificate verifies that you do not have any criminal records. Obtain the PCC from your local police authority or through the online portal of your state (if available).
• Declaration of the Sponsor: A formal declaration from your sponsor (either SPORTS official government Lakshadweep tour package provider or a private tour operator) stating their sponsorship for your visit. We got it from the private tour operator Chediyar Holidays, with whom we booked rooms.
• Details of Sponsor: Ration card number and their agreement to sponsor your stay. Once you pay through SPORTS or a tour operator, they hand over these details automatically.
• Hotel or resort booking details provided by the sponsor.
• Flight tickets or cruise confirmation tickets.

How to Apply for Lakshadweep Permits Online

You can apply for a Lakshadweep permit online by signing up and filling in your details on the ePermit portal.

It is a bit of a tedious process, which we tried initially and found overwhelming, so we opted for the travel agent option.

However, follow these steps if you want to get your permit on ePortal:

• You need an email ID and phone number to which you will be sent an OTP while signing up.
• Choose “Others” as the “Purpose of Visit.”
• Fill in the form and upload asked documents
• Choose your island and travel dates,
• Pay the fees, and voilà! Your permit will be emailed to you 15 days before your trip.

Processing Time and Fees

The application process takes about 15 days and costs ₹250 per adult and ₹150 per child aged 12 to 18. This fee is split into ₹50 for the application and the remaining amount as a heritage fee. Usually, they release the permit 15 days before your departure time.

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Getting to Lakshadweep

You can get to Lakshadweep by either flight or cruise.

Whether you take a cruise or a flight, Kochi in Kerala is your starting point. Only a few Indian cities have direct flights to Lakshadweep, so plan to land in Kochi first.

Combining a Lakshadweep holiday with a few days in Kochi is a great idea. Fort Kochi is a fantastic town with great food and streets filled with colonial architecture and traditional Malabar buildings. Spend 3 to 4 days here before flying or taking a ship/ferry to Lakshadweep.

Flights to Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep is accessible via the Agatti Aerodrome, the only airport in the region. The mainland area itself is 32 sq km, so having an airport in such a small place is remarkable.

Many Indian domestic airlines operate flights to Agatti Airport mainly from Kochi. I always prefer Indigo for domestic travel in India and recommend the same. Irrespective of the carrier, only small-sized aircraft fly to Agatti. The short-haul regional airlines with less than 80-passenger capacity serve this route.

Heads up: Be careful while booking flights to Kochi airport, check for the airport code COK. There is another Kochi in Japan, which can be confusing at times.

Sea Routes to Lakshadweep

You can also opt to travel to Lakshadweep via cruise if you don’t mind a more expensive option. Cruises depart from various places like Mumbai, Goa, and Kochi. Cordelia Cruise is the major company offering Lakshadweep cruise packages. If you prefer a bit of luxury and touristy comfort, a cruise might be a good choice.

If you don’t want to fly from Kochi and find cruises too expensive, you can take a ferry from Willingdon Island in Kochi to Agatti Island via Kavaratti. The journey takes about 19 hours and 10 minutes and runs once a week. Be prepared for the long journey, but it’s a cost-effective way to reach.

Personally, neither Sahana nor I enjoy cruises; we find them too touristy and prefer meeting locals on land. So, it’s not my recommended way to travel to Lakshadweep.

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Getting Around Lakshadweep Islands

Ferries and private boats are the main ways to get around Lakshadweep. For a quicker, more scenic and expensive option, you can think of a helicopter ride also.

Inter-Island Travel

As an island region, boats and ferries are the main way to hop between islands. Regular services connect places like Agatti, Kavaratti, and Minicoy. Ferries are a common mode of transport with fixed schedules known well by locals.

However, it’s best for tourists to take private boats between islands. These tours are affordable, and local boat captains ensure safety and flexibility. You can even invite fishermen to join, who might cook fresh fish right on the boat.

On Lakshadweep Islands

On the islands, getting around is easy on foot. The largest island, Andrott, is just 4.9 sq km, Agatti is 3.84sqkm, while Bangaram is 1.3 sq km. You really won't need any vehicle to explore the islands.

However, just for leisure, if you become friends with locals and offer a little money, you can rent a jeep for a few hours! I even rode one of the fishermen's bikes.

I really wish they would introduce bicycles for rent soon─it would be lovely to tour the islands through the coconut groves.

How to get from Lakshadweep airport to other islands?

From Agatti you have two options to get to other islands: take scheduled ferries or hire a private boat.

To take scheduled ferries, you must get a taxi or rickshaw outside the airport to the boat jetty, which is 5 km away. Then, buy tickets for the next available ferry to your island and wait for an hour or more, depending on the ferry schedule.

On the other hand, if you opt for island-to-island transfers offered by your accommodation like we did, it is much easier.

They meet you at the airport, take you by car or rickshaw to the jetty, and you are on your private boat going to your island within minutes after landing in Agatti.

Boat Duration from Agatti to different islands

• Agatti to Bangaram: 30 to 45 minutes
• Agatti to Kadmat: 2 to 3 hours by speed boat
• Agatti to Kavaratti: 2.5 hours by speed boat
• Agatti to Thinnakara: 2 hours by boat

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Best Accommodation in Lakshadweep

The accommodation options in Lakshadweep are plenty. However, you may not find the variety available in other beach towns of India. Homestays and beachside resorts are common. Most are privately owned, while others are owned by the government.

Out of 36 islands, visitors are allowed to stay on only five: Agatti, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Bangaram, and Minicoy. Minicoy is kind of off limits because it is about 300 km from Agatti.

Each accommodation on every island is situated on white sandy beaches, and you’ll be just a few steps away from the blue waters of the Arabian Sea.

None of the resorts or homestays in Lakshadweep are listed on booking.com or Agoda. To book rooms, you must approach a travel agent or visit the hotels’ official websites (if available).

How to pick which island to stay in Lakshadweep?

When picking an island in Lakshadweep, consider the conveniences you seek, like restaurants and shops. All islands offer natural beauty, white sands, and water activities like scuba diving and snorkeling. Some islands are more inhabited with better amenities.

Agatti: A 7.6 km island with Airport. Ideal for swimming, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, cruising, and kayaking. Plenty of restaurants, private resorts, and homestays – Despite having accommodations the island is full of locals. There are no government guesthouse here, everything is owned by locals. We stayed in Kasims Beach Villa right on the beach and closer to diving sites – It was a perfect stay.

Kadmat ( 2-3hr boat ride from Agatti).: A 9.3 km long island Few accommodation options. Well-inhabited with a bank, post office, and university. Offers kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Check Kadmat Beach Resort, the most famous of all resorts in Kadmat.

Kavaratti (2.5 hr boat ride from Agatti): The capital of Lakshadweep with beautiful lagoons for water sports. Notable mosques (Jamnath, Mohidden, Ujra), an aquarium, a museum, and the Dolphin Dive Centre. Accommodations near the jetty with comfortable huts. Check UT Guest House

Thinnakara (2hr boat ride from Agatti) : Secluded island known for tents for accommodation.

Bangaram: The most secluded and uninhabited island with 60 bedded beach cottages, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and the only island with a bar. Bangaram resort is the only option.

Which island is best to stay in Lakshadweep?

Agatti is definitely the best island to stay in Lakshadweep. Since the airport is right there, you don't have to worry about arranging island transfers. Agatti has plenty of accommodation and restaurants, but it's not overcrowded with tourists. You'll still feel like you're in the lap of nature with all the coconut trees around.

Plus, you are just a few metres away from some of the best scuba diving spots in Lakshadweep if you stay in Agatti. It's also easier to hop to other islands from here.

It is amazing to spend time with locals by the beach side at Agatti.

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Cost of a Lakshadweep Trip

A Lakshadweep trip costs anywhere between ₹4000 to ₹6,000 per day per person. This includes entry permits, a standard beach villa room, three meals, private boat rides between islands (cost shared by six of us), one scuba dive, unlimited snorkeling at various spots, and kayaking. Flight expenses are excluded from this budget.This budget depends on the number of people in your group and kind of accommodations you choose.

Since we were a group of six, the private boat cost was shared among all. If you are only two in a group, the Lakshadweep trip budget will be higher.

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Practical Travel Tips for Lakshadweep

Permits : Don't plan your Lakshadweep trip without getting permits.

Language : Malayalam is the most spoken language, but many can understand Hindi, and signboards are in English.

Travel Light: Pack light, breathable clothing suitable for humid weather.

Swimwear: Bring your own; there are hardly any shops for beach clothing.

Modest Clothing: Although it’s common to see men in swim shorts and women in swimsuits on the beaches, wear modest clothing in town. It is a Muslim-majority region, and locals tend to cover their bodies fully.

Connectivity: Internet can be spotty, so plan accordingly.

Mobile Network: BSNL and Airtel are the only available networks in Lakshadweep. While BSNL works perfectly, my Airtel network was weak and almost non-functional.

Activities: Book water sports and diving sessions early to ensure availability during Lakshadweep tourism peak season

Local Transport: Public boats wait until they’re full, so be patient or consider hiring a private boat

Cash: Carry enough cash; ATMs are limited.

Currency Exchange: Foreign travellers should exchange their currency to Indian rupees at Kochi before leaving for Lakshadweep.

Alcohol: Allowed only on Bangaram Island and banned on all other islands.

Respect Nature: Avoid littering and respect local wildlife.

Corals and Stones: Picking up corals and bringing any sort of stones from islands is banned. You will be checked for it at Agatti airport.

Safety: Lakshadweep has nearly no crime, making it one of the safest places in India for all kinds of travellers. However, be cautious as you would be in any other safe region across the world.

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