Lakshadweep travel guide 2026–27

How to plan a Lakshadweep trip: entry permit, flights and ships, which islands are open, best time, diving and snorkelling, and what our packages cost.

By the Agrima Holidays Team · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

Why go

Lakshadweep is a group of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, about 200 to 400 km off the Kerala coast. Only ten are inhabited. A few are open to tourists.

The water is the reason to go. Lagoons are shallow, clear and calm, with coral and fish a few metres from the beach. There are no big resorts, no nightlife and few cars. Days follow the tide and the sun.

Which islands you can visit

Tourism runs on a small set of islands, and the rules change. These are the usual choices:

• Agatti: the island with the airport. Guesthouses and resorts, a long lagoon and good snorkelling
• Bangaram: an uninhabited island with one resort, reached by boat from Agatti. Known for its lagoon and sandbanks
• Kavaratti: the capital, with a marine museum, mosques and a lagoon for water sports
• Thinnakara: a small island near Bangaram with tent stays
• Minicoy: the southern island, with a lighthouse and a culture closer to the Maldives. Reached by ship or by connecting boat
• Kadmat: a long, narrow island known for its water sports centre

We confirm which islands are open for your dates when you enquire.

Entry permit

Every visitor needs an entry permit from the Lakshadweep administration, including Indian citizens. The permit needs a police clearance certificate for each traveller, photo ID and confirmed bookings.

Police clearance takes one to three weeks depending on your city. Start early. We guide you through the process and apply for the permit with your booking.

Foreign nationals visit only certain islands, mainly Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat, and need a restricted area permit.

When to go

October to May is the season. Seas stay calm and the water is clearest from November to April. Day temperatures stay between 28 and 32°C all year, with high humidity.

The south-west monsoon arrives in late May or June and lasts until September. Seas turn rough, ships cancel, and water sports stop. Most resorts close.

December and January are the busiest months. Book flights and stays early. Ramadan changes local routines, since most islanders are Muslim. Restaurants run reduced hours during daylight.

Month by month

Average night low to day high, from long-term climate averages. Higher places run colder.

Getting there

By air, Alliance Air flies from Kochi to Agatti. The flight takes about 1 hour 30 minutes on a small ATR aircraft. Seats are limited and fares are high in peak months. The baggage allowance is lower than on jet flights. Pack light.

From Agatti, boats and speedboats run to Bangaram, Thinnakara and Kavaratti. A helicopter service runs between islands on some days, mainly for residents and emergencies.

By sea, passenger ships run from Kochi to the islands, taking 14 to 20 hours. Ship schedules come out a few weeks ahead and change often with weather. Most of our trips use the flight.

How many nights

• 3 nights: Agatti only, with snorkelling and a day trip to a sandbank
• 4 nights: Agatti and Bangaram or Thinnakara
• 5 nights: Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti
• 6 to 7 nights: add Minicoy or a ship journey

Keep a spare night in Kochi on the way back. Flights to Agatti cancel in bad weather, and you do not want to miss a connection home.

Things to do

The stops that appear most often in our Lakshadweep itineraries:

• Agatti
• Bangaram
• Kavaratti
• Thinnakara

Snorkelling is the main activity, and you need no experience. Lagoons on Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat are shallow and calm. Expect parrotfish, butterflyfish, turtles and reef sharks in some spots.

Scuba diving runs from licensed centres on Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat. A try-dive needs no certificate. Certified divers explore wrecks and drop-offs on the reef edge.

Glass-bottom boat rides suit non-swimmers and children.

Kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing are offered by most resorts.

Sandbank trips go to small, uninhabited strips of sand in the lagoon. Take water, a hat and sunscreen. There is no shade.

Life on the islands

Islanders are mostly Muslim and speak Malayalam, with Mahl spoken on Minicoy. Life is quiet, and families keep to traditions.

Alcohol is banned on all islands except Bangaram. Dress modestly in villages. Swimwear is fine on resort beaches and in the lagoon. Ask before photographing local people, especially women.

The food is mostly coconut, fish and rice. Tuna is the main catch. Try mas podi, dried tuna flakes, and coconut-based fish curries. Vegetarian food is available but simple.

Where to stay

Choices are limited and fill early. Agatti has a few resorts and guesthouses. Bangaram has one resort. Thinnakara has beach tents. Kavaratti and Kadmat have government-run cottages.

Rooms are clean and simple. Power cuts happen. Do not expect hotel-chain luxury. Expect a beach a few steps from your door.

Our Lakshadweep packages

Prices start from ₹44,100 per person on twin sharing, excluding flights. We quote the Kochi to Agatti flight at actual cost.

Practical tips

• Start the permit process at least four weeks before travel
• Carry cash. Agatti has one or two ATMs, and other islands may have none
• BSNL and Airtel work on the main islands. Data is slow
• Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard
• Do not touch or stand on coral. Do not collect shells or coral
• Carry motion sickness tablets for boat rides
• Keep a soft bag. Small planes have strict baggage limits

Lakshadweep suits travellers who want calm, water and few people. If you want resorts with spas and bars, look at the Maldives instead. Our Maldives guide explains the difference.