Lakshadweep: India's Secret Caribbean (And It's Actually Hard to Get To)

Mohit Singh
Jan 21
4 min read

Updated: Jan 27

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Why Lakshadweep is Worth the Hassle

While everyone's flooding Goa and Maldives, Lakshadweep remains India's best-kept secret. 36 islands. Turquoise lagoons. Zero crowds. And yeah, getting there is intentionally difficult – which is exactly why it's still pristine.

The reality: You can't just "book and go." And that's the point.

How to Actually Reach Lakshadweep (The Permit Maze)

Step 1: Get Your Permit (Non-Negotiable)

Lakshadweep is RESTRICTED. You need a permit to enter. Period.

Two Routes:

1. Book Through Authorized Tour Operators (Easiest)

SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism & Sports) – Government-run packages
They handle permits automatically
Packages start ₹25,000-40,000 for 4-6 days
Includes ship/flight, accommodation, meals, activities

Pro tip: First-timers should go with SPORTS packages. Fighting bureaucracy isn't the adventure you signed up for.

2. DIY Permit Application (For Residents/Special Cases)

Apply through Lakshadweep Administration website
Takes 2-4 weeks approval
Only for Indians (foreigners need special clearance)
Requires detailed itinerary and accommodation proof

By Flight:

Kochi to Agatti Island (only airport)
1.5 hours, ₹8,000-15,000
Limited flights (Air India only)
Book 2-3 months ahead

Reality check: Ships get cancelled for weather. Flights get delayed for the same. Build buffer days.

Islands You Can Actually Visit

Only 6 islands are open to tourists (10 if you're from Lakshadweep):

Agatti – Airport island, water sports hub

Bangaram – Most beautiful, uninhabited, resort island

Kavaratti – Administrative capital, good for beginners

Kadmat – Best diving, long lagoon

Minicoy – Different culture, lighthouse views

Kalpeni – Coral paradise

You can't island-hop freely. Your permit specifies which islands you can visit. Plan accordingly.

What to Do (Because Beach Bumming Gets Old)

1. Scuba Diving (The Main Event)

Lakshadweep has India's best diving. Not "good for India" – actually world-class.

Visibility: 20-40 meters (crystal clear)
Marine life: Sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, Napoleon wrasse
Coral: Pristine hard and soft corals
Sites: Bangaram, Kadmat, Agatti
Cost: ₹3,500-5,000 per dive
Certification: PADI courses available (₹25,000-30,000 for Open Water)

2. Snorkeling (If You're Not Diving Yet)

The lagoons are shallow (3-15 feet) and teeming with life. You don't need to dive deep to see incredible stuff.

Free with most packages
Best spots: Bangaram lagoon, Kadmat beach
See: Clownfish, parrotfish, sea cucumbers, occasional turtle
Gear: Provided, but bring your own if possible (better quality)

3. Kayaking Through Lagoons

Paddle through impossibly blue water. It's meditative until you realize you're surrounded by marine life.

Cost: ₹500-1,000/hour
Best: Early morning (glass-like water)
Difficulty: Easy, even for beginners

4. Glass-Bottom Boat Rides

If you can't swim or dive, this is your window into the underwater world.

Cost: ₹300-500
Duration: 30-45 minutes
See: Coral gardens, fish schools, reef structures

5. Island Hopping (Limited)

Inter-island travel is possible but controlled. Usually via small boats.

Requires: Permission in your permit
Cost: ₹1,000-2,000 per island transfer
Worth it: Absolutely – each island has different vibes

6. Fishing (Deep Sea & Lagoon)

Catch your dinner. Seriously. Traditional pole-and-line fishing or sport fishing.

Cost: ₹2,000-4,000 (half day)
Catch: Tuna, barracuda, grouper, snapper
Cook it: Resorts will prepare your catch

7. Lighthouse Visit (Minicoy)

Climb the 300-foot lighthouse for 360° views of the atoll.

Cost: ₹50
Views: Insane. Entire coral ring visible.
Timing: Sunset is prime

8. Beach Sports

Because you can't dive 24/7.

Beach volleyball
Football on sand
Cycling around islands (flat, easy)
Coconut tree climbing (locals will teach you)

The Unfiltered Reality

What's Amazing:

✅ Pristine: No plastic beaches, no crowds, no commercialization

✅ Marine life: Best diving/snorkeling in India, period

✅ Safety: Extremely safe, locals are welcoming

✅ Unique: Feels like Maldives at Indian prices

✅ Off-grid: Actual digital detox (spotty internet is a feature)

What's Challenging:

❌ Alcohol ban: Except Bangaram resort. Plan accordingly.

❌ Limited food: Mostly seafood and rice. Vegetarians manage but options are limited.

❌ No nightlife: Sunset is your party. This isn't Goa.

❌ Expensive packages: Can't budget backpack this one.

❌ Weather dependent: Monsoon (Jun-Sep) shuts everything down.

❌ Internet: 2G speeds if you're lucky.

Budget Breakdown (Realistic)

₹30,000-45,000 for 5 days (all-inclusive package):

Kochi-Lakshadweep transport: ₹8,000-15,000
Accommodation + meals: ₹12,000-20,000 (included in package)
Activities (diving, kayaking, fishing): ₹5,000-10,000
Permits, transfers: Included in package
Miscellaneous: ₹3,000-5,000

Can't do it cheaper without cutting activities. This isn't backpacker territory.

Compare to Maldives: ₹1.5L+ for similar experience. Lakshadweep is the budget play for tropical paradise.

When to Go

Best: October to March (calm seas, clear skies, perfect diving)

Avoid: June to September (monsoon – everything shuts down)

Peak: December-January (book 3-4 months ahead)

Essential Tips

🔋 Charge everything before you go – power cuts are common

💵 Carry cash – ATMs are rare, cards don't work everywhere

🏊 Learn to swim – You're missing 80% of the experience otherwise

🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen – Protect the corals

🎒 Pack light – Luggage limits on small boats/flights

💊 Bring meds – Medical facilities are basic

Document Your Island Adventure with Pinaak

Lakshadweep's remoteness is its charm – and its challenge. Pinaak keeps you connected to your adventure even when you're disconnected from everything else:

📍 GPS tracking: Map every dive site, beach, and island

🐠 Marine life log: Track sea turtle sightings, fish species

📸 Photo organization: Auto-sort by island and activity

🌏 Discover hidden spot

📖 Sharing & reliving experiences

📍 Travel Stats

Download Pinaak before you leave mainland. Your island adventure deserves perfect documentation.

The Bottom Line

Lakshadweep isn't easy. It's not cheap. You can't just show up. And that's exactly why it's incredible.

While Instagram influencers overcrowd Maldives, you'll be diving pristine reefs, kayaking empty lagoons, and experiencing India's most untouched islands.

The permit process filters out casual tourists. The package requirement ensures sustainability. The restricted access protects paradise.

If you want easy, book Goa. If you want pristine, earn Lakshadweep.

Download Pinaak. Get your permit. Dive into India's best-kept secret.

Note: We're not affiliated with SPORTS, any tour operators, or accommodation providers. We're not promoting any specific packages. This guide reflects the actual system as it exists – government-controlled access designed to protect a fragile ecosystem. Your booking decisions are entirely your own. We just make an app that works offline when you get there.