10 Best Places To Visit In Lakshadweep Islands 2024: Complete Guide

Nestled in the azure of the Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep Islands stand as an epitome of untouched beauty and a natural paradise of breathtaking turquoise shorelines. If you are looking for a tropical destination and want to escape the tourist crowds, then book your tickets now and explore the places to visit in the Lakshadweep Islands with your family and friends. In Malayalam and Sanskrit, the Lakshadweep means ‘one hundred thousand islands’. Comprising 36 breathtaking coral atolls and pristine islands, Lakshadweep is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and explore Lakshadweep tourism places and make memories for a lifetime.

Lakshadweep Islands welcomes tourists with crystal clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and ivory-white sandy beaches. Sounds like heaven right? Travelers can immerse themselves in the ethereal beauty of the coral gardens, home to a diverse ecosystem, watersports activities, and many more. Tourist places of Lakshadweep lead to a dream holiday where you sit on a white beach soaking in the sunshine, swinging while sipping coconut water, and enjoying the awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters. Travelers can also engage in authentic experiences, from participating in traditional dance performances to savoring local cuisines with coconut, seafood, and tropical seafood flavors. Lakshadweep Islands is the perfect Instagram-worthy destination where you can explore Lakshadweep sightseeing places like Minicoy Islands, Agatti Islands, Banagram Islands, and many more such places.

The tranquility of Lakshadweep is further enhanced by its pristine environment. The islands in Lakshadweep welcome travelers with lush coconut groves, swaying palms, and turquoise lagoons that evoke a sense of serenity. The islands are designated by the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, where you can explore the rich biodiversity and marine life. To experience the natural beauty of Lakshadweep, you can embark on a cruise that navigates through the islands, offering panoramic views of the seascape. Whether you seek adventure, cultural exploration, or simply a peaceful retreat, the tourist places of Lakshadweep have something to offer to every traveler. Here is all the information you require to plan your trip to Lakshadweep Islands smoothly and enjoy your vacation from start to finish.

Top 10 Places To Visit in Lakshadweep Islands

1. Agatii Islands:

Agatti Islands are the jewel in the crown of the islands of the Lakshadweep islands. The island is renowned for its pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs, making it one of the best places to see in Lakshadweep. This island is also a paradise for snorkellers and divers to explore the breathtaking marine life and mesmerizing colorful underwater world. This is the perfect place to enjoy the authentic taste of Lakshadweep Island’s rich culture. Plan your stay at Agatti Islands, where the beautiful sea meets the sky perfectly harmoniously, creating an unforgettable tropical heaven.

2. Minicoy Islands:

Minicoy Islands is the southernmost island and what makes it stand apart from other islands is its crescent-shaped coral reef that encircles the turquoise water of the Arabian Sea. The shimmering white sand beaches and clear waters make it one of the best tourist places of Lakshadweep. The whole island is laden with palm and coconut trees which add to the natural beauty of this place. The old lighthouse is a major attraction of the island and offers a jaw-dropping view of the Minicoy and the majestic sea. You can also enjoy a variety of watersports such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and many more.

3. Bangaram Island:

Bangraram Island is the largest chain of islands in the union territory of Lakshadweep, and it has a beautiful lagoon. This is the best place to disconnect from the outer world and connect yourself with pristine nature and marine life. The sunrises and sunsets by the sparkling beach are a treat to the eyes, and a range of indulging activities makes the stay worthwhile. 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, making it an unmissable tourist spot in Lakshadweep.

4. Kavaratti Islands:

Kavaratti is the capital of the Lakshadweep Islands so this is more crowded than other islands. The islands are famous for their white sandy beaches and beautiful lagoons making it one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep. You will find adventure activities like dolphin sitings, snorkeling, lagoon cruises, and cultural tours on Kavaratti islands. This is also one of the places if you want to see mosques with unique architectural styles. The Kavaratti marine aquarium is a house to witness the marine life of the island, including the coral reefs, a variety of fishes, turtles and underwater seaweeds.

5. Marine Museum:

The museum is situated at the Kavratti islands and should be on your list of places to see in Lakshadweep. Marine Museum showcases many marine-related artifacts and aims to promote marine products and their preservation. The interesting thing that attracts many travelers to this museum is that the aquarium has a few striking species of fish water and animals. The beautiful, colorful fish and aquatic species are a sight to watch, and it is a great place to see these ornamental species. It is also a good place to collect information about marine life.

6. Kalpeni Islands:

Kalpeni Islands is the best place for Lakshadweep sightseeing to avoid the hustle and bustle of tourists. The best part about this island is that foreign visitor permits are not sanctioned here, so this island is reserved for Indian tourists only.  Exploring the coral reef, marine life, cultural programs, kayaking, and canoeing are famous activities on Kalpeni. Don’t miss out on tasting the local seafood here. The tourist activities here are fewer and the number of accommodations is also fewer so it’s better to book in advance.

7. Pitti Bird Sanctuary:

Famously known as the Pakshipitti, it is on the southernmost part of the Lakshadweep Islands which is majorly submerged underwater. This is one of the unique tourist places in Lakshadweep where you can enjoy watching the entire population of birds on Lakshadweep Islands. Pack your binoculars and embark on this bird sanctuary on your trip to the islands. Here you can witness 75 different species of sea birds chirping, swimming, eating, and enjoying in their natural habitat. If you are a wildlife photographer and love capturing birds, this place is heaven for you. This place is 24 km north of Kavratti Islands.

8. Thinnakara Island:

Thinnakara Island is one of the best islands of Lakshadweep for honeymoon couples because of its romantic vibe, lazy atmosphere, and seclusion. It’s truly a dreamy location for couples and honeymooners and gives them a chance to indulge in thrilling water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, turtle-watching, boating, and many more. If you are looking for a romantic place to spend some quality time with your partner then you should stay at Thinnakara Island which is in close proximity to Agatti Island.

9. Andrott Island:

Andrott, also known as Andretti Island, is the largest island of the Lakshadweep. You’ll witness the perfect combination of natural beauty and modernity here, making you love this place. Another highlight is the historical attractions here that enhance the significance of this destination. From ancient mosques to ruins of Buddhist monasteries, you’ll come across several such tourist attractions in Lakshadweep. You must visit Jumaat Mosque for the tomb of Saint Ubaidullah. This island is famous for its vibrant marine life as well. Foreigners’ permits are not sanctioned on this island either.

10. Kadmat Island:

When it comes to this island, welcomes you with white beaches with a silver tinge, a gorgeous lagoon, and azure water making it the perfect getaway. You can enjoy a romantic time on the seashore, walk hand in hand, watch a mesmerizing sunset together, and much more. You’ll also come across several marine turtles who live and breed here, plus the shallow water makes this an ideal destination for water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, boating, kayaking, and many more. The marine life of this island is abundant, making it one of the best places to visit in Lakshadweep.

How to Reach Lakshadweep Islands

You can take a flight from Kochi to Agatti Islands airport. Indian Airlines operates flights from Kochi. Onward flights from Kochi are available to most of the airports in India and abroad. The Airstrip Airlines is there on Agatti Island only and from one island to another, you will have to take a ferry which will be between 2-4 hours.

Another Option is to ship from Kochi which takes 12-16 hours.

There is also an option to go via a cruise, Samudram, Cordelia, etc., but most will only have a day option at Lakshadweep.

Permits Requriement To Visit Lakshadeep Islands

In accordance with the Rules of Restriction on Entry and Residence for Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands established in 1967, individuals who are not native to these islands are required to acquire a permit in the prescribed form from the competent authority to enter and reside there. Underneath is all the information you need to apply for the permit and explore the Lakshadweep tourism places.

Application Process:

You can apply for the PAP (protected area permit) online through the e-permit portal of the Lakshadweep Administration (http://www.lakshadweeptourism.com/contact.html) or you can also fill out the form through this link https://epermit.utl.gov.in/pages/index

The application requires basic information like your name, address, purpose of visit, travel dates, and chosen islands.

You can upload scanned copies of your ID proof and a passport-sized photograph.

Once submitted, the application is processed within 7 working days. You’ll receive an email notification with the permit status.

Validity and Fees:

The PAP is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

The permit fee is ₹300 per person for all ages.

Details:

You can choose the specific islands you want to visit during your application.

Carry a printed copy of the approved PAP and your valid ID proof while traveling.

Certain islands within Lakshadweep might require additional permits for specific activities like scuba diving or wildlife photography. Check with the respective island authorities for details.