In Sanskrit, the word “Lakshadweep” means one hundred thousand islands. Though it is the smallest U.T. (Union Territory) of India with 36 islands, the beauty of this small group of islands is equivalent to a hundred thousand islands. And hence the name “Lakshadweep.”
The island lies between the two tranquil seas—the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea. This serene archipelago of islands is divided into three sub-groups, namely the Laccadive Islands, the Amindivi Islands, and the atoll of Minicoy. Together, they comprise twelve atolls, ten untapped or uninhabited islands, three coral reefs, and five submerged banks. Breaking news on Lakshadweep: A diplomatic row between India and the Maldives!
An unopposed answer to “How to reach Lakshadweep?”
According to “the Administration of the UT of Lakshadweep,” Kochi or Cochin in Kerala, India, is declared to be the gateway for all tourist purposes. Tourists can reach Lakshadweep from Kochi either via air or waterways. The island is almost four hundred kilometres away from the Indian coastal area (western side).
Important note: Irrespective of any reason, by law, any non-native person is restricted from entering the Lakshadweep Islands. An entry permit is required from the authorities of the Lakshadweep Administration. Click here to download the permit rules!
Flights to Lakshadweep
Agatti is one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep, with coral reefs. The reason why Agatti Island is so special is that it is the only island in Lakshadweep that has an airport. So, if you choose to travel via airlines, you have no choice but to book flights from Cochin to Agatti Island. The travel time takes around one hour and two to thirty minutes.
Flights are operating from Bangalore to this special island, but include Kochi as a mandatory stop. And there are no direct flights. So the travel time is more than three hours from Bangalore. Check the Agatti flight schedule released by the Airport Authority of India.
From Agatti, tourists can reach other islands either via ferry boats or helicopters. The best way to visit Kavaratti, Bangaram, Thinnakara, and Kadmat is via boat. Helicopter availability may vary based on the monsoon. Also, the only major helicopter transfer is from Agatti to Kavaratti.
Travel to Lakshadweep by ship or cruise
Traveling from Cochin to Lakshadweep by waterway could be the best voyage you can ever have. You can enjoy the emerald waters as well as explore the routes to various islands, including Minicoy, Kavaratti (the capital of Lakshadweep), Kadmat, etc. There are seven passenger ships from Cochin:
- MV Lakshadweep Sea Ship
- MV Kavaratti
- MV Amindivi
- MV Lagoon
- MV Corals
- MV Minicoy
- MV Arabian Sea Ship
The Kochi to Lakshadweep ship duration is about fourteen to twenty hours. To avail of tickets for the ship, Click here! Additionally, from Beypore Port, Kozhikode, Kerala, the following ships help you travel to the islands:
- MV Tipu Sultan
- MV Bharat Seema
- M.V.Dweep Setu
Particularly, the MV Tipu Sultan Ship can carry 650 passengers.
While all these ships are comfortable for tourists in South India, Mumbai Port helps travellers from North India. The Empress, a Cordelia Cruise ship to Lakshadweep, incurs a passage time of at least four nights. It also depends on the island you choose for your journey. Notably, Cordelia Cruise is one of India’s premium or luxury cruise lines.
Regardless of the ship you choose, you can revel in the different accommodation classes—A/C First Class, Second Class, and Bunk Class. Also, there are clinical cabins with doctors, cafeterias, entertainment events, snack bars, etc. For the best experiences at Lakshadweep, plan your travel with the Best Travel Agency Tour Packages >>>
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the nearest airport to Lakshadweep?
Agatti is the only island in Lakshadweep with an airstrip to safely land the flights and hence it is the only nearest airport to reach this beautiful archipelago. Book cheaper flights with Emperor, the leading flight ticket booking agency in India.
- What is the procedure to visit Lakshadweep?
The first thing to do when visiting the island is to seek a permit from the respective authorities. Worry not; travel agencies can help you with permits and flight or cruise ticket bookings. So, you don’t need to break your head on these. Authorized quick links for the entry permit are here!
- Is Lakshadweep expensive?
The expense depends on how many days you’re resorting to these islands. For example, if you’re visiting the island just for two days, the cost would be less than INR 25,000. But if you want to explore at least two or three islands and stay for 3–4 days, it might cost INR 50,000–65,000.
- Is a passport required for Lakshadweep?
For Indian tourists, a passport is mandatory as it is a Union Territory of India. For foreign tourists, a visa is mandatory.
