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How to Get There:
By Air: Agatti has an airport which accepts direct flights from Kochi, Kerala or Ernakulam (Kochi/Cochin) and Bangalore. Tourists need a permit to visit the islands; foreign nationals are barred from visiting certain islands. Inter island travel is by helicopter. For the safety of visitors, consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the islands except on Bangaram Island.
By Sea:
Four passenger ships- MV Tippu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep. The passage takes between 15 to 18 hours.
The ships offer different classes of accommodation, with medical facilities. Advance bookings are required. Schedules are arranged to give each island priority in rotation. |
Climate:
Lakshadweep enjoys a tropical climate with summer temperatures ranging from 22° C to 33° C and winter temperatures from 20° C to 30° C. Southwest monsoons (June to September) bring rains aplenty to the islands. The retreating Northeast monsoons also bring rains in tow in October and November. Light cottons are sufficient throughout the year, as tropical outerwear. Carrying a waterproof coat is recommended during the monsoons. Cool sea breeze and the abundant shade under the surrogate sun umbrella provided by the canopy of coconut palms make the climate pleasurable even during peak summer. Lakshadweep is thus an all-year-round tourist destination. However, during the monsoon months of June to October, diving, snorkeling and similar activities are not possible, though you can still enjoy the place and the beaches during the rains.
What to Do:
Bangaram, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Agatti Island and Minicoy Islands have clear beaches, rich underwater life, untouched coral reefs and lots of sand where you can relax. You can go scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, wind surfing, fishing, to name a few activities. The most beautiful lagoon in Lakshadweep is probably that just off Agatti Island. A tourist complex with all modern amenities has been set up here. The only accommodation in Agatti is the Agatti island Beach Resort. The resort consists of 20 cottages - either Standard or Deluxe (AC). The Standard cottages have basic amenities (no AC) but the resort website says that they are as comfortable as the deluxe cottages. They also take you on an excursion to Bangaram Islands, watching marine life from a glass-bottomed boat.
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