Things to Do in Lakshadweep: Lagoons, Coral Reefs & Island Life

Snorkel in the lagoons

The shallow, clear lagoons of islands such as Agatti, Bangaram, Kadmat and Kavaratti have coral gardens and reef fish within easy reach. Snorkelling gear is available through resorts and water sports centres. Do not stand on or touch coral.

Best time

October to April

Good for

Everyone who can swim

Scuba dive

Dive centres on islands such as Kadmat, Kavaratti, Agatti and Bangaram offer try dives and certification courses. Outer reefs have walls, coral, turtles and pelagic fish. Visibility is often excellent in the dry season.

Best time

November to April

Good for

Beginners and divers

Kayak and paddle

Kayaks and paddleboards are available on the lagoons, which are calm and shallow. Kadmat has a well-known water sports centre.

Take a glass-bottom boat ride

Glass-bottom boats let non-swimmers see the coral and fish. Most islands open to tourists offer them.

Good for

Families, non-swimmers

Go fishing with locals

Tuna fishing is central to island life, especially on Minicoy and Agatti. Some operators arrange trips with local fishermen.

Stay on Agatti

Agatti has the only airport in Lakshadweep, with flights from Kochi, and is the gateway for most visitors. It has beaches, a lagoon and resorts, and is a base for trips to nearby islands such as Bangaram and Thinnakara.

Agatti guide

Relax on Bangaram

Bangaram is an uninhabited island with a resort, surrounded by a large lagoon. It is one of the most beautiful places in Lakshadweep, with excellent snorkelling. Access depends on current resort operations and permits.

See Kavaratti

Kavaratti, the capital, has a lagoon for water sports, a marine aquarium, the carved Ujra Mosque and a lighthouse that gives views over the island and reef.

Kavaratti guide

Visit Minicoy

Minicoy (Maliku), the southernmost island, is culturally closer to the Maldives, with its own language, Mahl, and traditional lava dances. Its lighthouse, built by the British in 1885, can be climbed. Minicoy is known for tuna fishing and boat-building.

Try water sports at Kadmat

Kadmat, a long, narrow island with lagoons on both sides, has one of the best water sports and diving centres in Lakshadweep, with kayaks, snorkelling and dives on nearby reefs.

Good for

Divers, active travellers

Arrange your permit

All visitors, including Indian citizens, need an entry permit issued by the Lakshadweep Administration. Most travellers get it through a registered tour operator or the official tourism packages, which include transport and stays. Foreign nationals can visit only certain islands. Rules change, so check the latest process well in advance.

Allow several weeks for the paperwork, and keep copies of your permit and ID with you on the islands, as they are checked on arrival and when moving between islands.

Good to know

Permit required for everyone

Cruise from Kochi

Government passenger ships from Kochi to the islands take about 14 to 20 hours. Some packages are cruise-based, with visits to several islands by day and nights on board.

Walk through an island village

Village walks show coral-stone houses, coconut groves, mosques and daily life. The islanders are conservative; dress modestly away from the beach, and ask before taking photographs.

Good for

Culture seekers

Eat island food

Island food centres on tuna, coconut and rice, with dishes such as mas podichathu (dried tuna), fish curries and coconut sweets.

October to mid-May

Calm seas and clear water; the season for tourism, diving and ship travel.

Mid-May to September

The south-west monsoon brings rough seas; most tourist operations pause and ships run less often.

What are the best things to do in Lakshadweep?

Snorkel and dive over coral reefs, kayak on the lagoons, take glass-bottom boat rides, stay on Agatti or Bangaram, visit Kavaratti and Minicoy, and walk through island villages.

Do Indians need a permit for Lakshadweep?

Yes. All visitors need an entry permit from the Lakshadweep Administration, usually arranged through a tour operator or package.

How do I reach Lakshadweep?

By flight from Kochi to Agatti, or by passenger ship from Kochi.

What is the best time to visit Lakshadweep?

October to mid-May.

Which Lakshadweep islands can tourists visit?

Islands open to tourists include Agatti, Bangaram, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Minicoy and a few others, depending on current rules and packages. Foreign nationals have more limited access.