Overview
Lakshadweep is India's only coral atoll archipelago, a remote chain of 36 islands scattered 200-440 km off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. The territory offers pristine beaches with smooth sand, world-class scuba diving in turquoise lagoons, and a relaxed village atmosphere where nearly 65,000 people live across just 32 km².
Beach · Diving · Island · Nature · Transit Hub
Before you go
Access
All visitors need special permits from Lakshadweep authorities; foreigners can only visit Agatti, Bangaram, and Kadmat islands.
Alcohol
Alcohol is prohibited in all islands except Bangaram where it is available at the resort.
Environment
Picking corals is illegal and punishable; help preserve the delicate coral atoll ecosystem.
Food
Local cuisine features coconut oil and seafood; Mus Kavaab (tuna curry) and Batla Appam (sweet) are local specialties.
Language
Jeseri dialect of Malayalam is spoken on most islands; Minicoy uses Mahl, related to Dhivehi of the Maldives.
Money
Lakshadweep is not a budget destination; package tours start at ₹10,000 for 4 days all-inclusive, and resort rooms cost ₹8,000-15,000 per night with meals included.
Transport
Agatti Airport has limited flights from Kochi, Bengaluru, and Goa on small turbo-props; keep one day's buffer for weather cancellations.
Weather
Best time to visit is December to May; monsoon season May-September can disrupt transport, with October-November also rainy.