The Award-Winning Tour Specialist with 14 Consecutive TripAdvisor Awards
The Award-Winning Tour Specialist with 14 Consecutive TripAdvisor Awards
Lakshadweep is India’s only coral atoll archipelago- 36 islands of white sand and turquoise lagoons in the Arabian Sea, reached from Kochi by a short flight or an overnight passenger ship.
About Lakshadweep
In short: Lakshadweep is India’s only coral atoll archipelago- 36 islands of white sand and turquoise lagoons in the Arabian Sea, reached from Kochi by a short flight or an overnight passenger ship.
Lakshadweep is a Union Territory of 36 coral islands off the coast of Kerala. It is famous for its turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, coral reefs and some of India’s best opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling.
The name means “one hundred thousand islands”. Only 10 of the 36 islands are inhabited, and fishing and coconut cultivation are part of everyday life. Local culture reflects a blend of Kerala and Maldivian influences.
Unlike busy beach destinations with nightlife, shopping and road-based sightseeing, Lakshadweep offers a quieter holiday centred on the sea and the natural surroundings. The islands are especially popular with honeymooners, couples, diving enthusiasts and travellers who want a peaceful beach holiday within India.
Tourism is regulated to protect the fragile marine ecosystem. Visitors normally need an entry permit and pre-arranged accommodation, visitor numbers are controlled and most islands are alcohol-free. Kochi is the main gateway: travellers fly to Agatti or take a passenger ship to selected islands, which also makes it easy to combine Lakshadweep with Fort Kochi, Munnar or the Alleppey backwaters.
For most first-time travellers, a four- or five-day visit is a good introduction to Lakshadweep.
Explore Lakshadweep through our photos — places, landscapes and moments from the trip.
Plan your trip
Choose your island
For first-time visitors, Agatti and Bangaram are popular choices because of their beautiful lagoons and access through Agatti Airport. Kadmat appeals to diving enthusiasts, while Kavaratti and Minicoy offer a chance to experience island communities and traditions.
Best for: First-time visitors
Agatti is the main air gateway to Lakshadweep and one of the easiest islands to include in a holiday. Its turquoise lagoon, white-sand beaches and water sports make it a convenient choice if you prefer to avoid multiple boat transfers.
Particularly suitable for couples, families and first-time visitors. Accommodation varies, so check facilities and beach access before booking.
Best for: Honeymooners and couples
Bangaram is known for its secluded beaches, beautiful lagoon and relaxed atmosphere – ideal if you want a peaceful holiday away from busy tourist destinations.
Attractive for honeymoons, anniversaries and romantic holidays. Access is normally by boat from Agatti, subject to weather and operating conditions.
Best for: Scuba diving
Kadmat is an excellent choice if you want to spend more time exploring Lakshadweep’s underwater world. The island is known for diving, snorkelling and water sports.
Beginners can enquire about introductory dives, while certified divers can explore suitable dive sites with authorised operators.
Best for: Culture and marine experiences
Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep, combines lagoon scenery with opportunities to experience local culture and learn about the islands’ maritime heritage.
A good choice if you are interested in more than a beach-resort holiday, alongside permitted water activities.
Best for: Quiet beaches
Thinnakara appeals to travellers who want to relax by the sea, enjoy the natural beauty of an island lagoon and escape crowded destinations.
Visits may be organised from nearby islands when boats, tourism permissions and facilities are available. Confirm overnight accommodation in advance.
Best for: A different island culture
Minicoy is one of the most culturally distinctive islands in Lakshadweep, known for its lagoon, traditional boats, lighthouse and cultural connections with the Maldives.
Rewarding for travellers interested in local traditions. Its distance from Agatti means visiting Minicoy needs more careful transport planning.
| Your holiday preference | Island to consider |
|---|---|
| First visit to Lakshadweep | Agatti |
| Honeymoon or romantic holiday | Bangaram |
| Scuba diving and snorkelling | Kadmat |
| Culture and local life | Kavaratti |
| Peaceful island experience | Thinnakara |
| Traditional island culture | Minicoy |
| Family beach holiday | Agatti or Bangaram |
Good to know: not every island can be combined in one short holiday. Choose your islands according to your travel dates, interests, approved accommodation and available transport connections. Island transfers depend on weather and sea conditions.
Stay
Choose your base by what you want to do. We hand-pick and check every stay we suggest.
Beach resorts and cottages beside the lagoon, a short transfer from the airport.
Best for: first-timers and water sports.
A secluded island resort on its own lagoon with thatched cottages.
Best for: honeymoons and privacy.
Quiet beach huts and island resorts, home to a main dive centre.
Best for: diving and kayaking.
Guest houses and simple resorts close to local life.
Best for: culture and budget stays.
Good to know
A few simple things make your trip smoother and protect the reefs.
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, light cotton clothes, swimwear and a rash guard, reef shoes, a dry bag, power bank, personal medicines, insect repellent, and a printed permit and photo ID.
Experiences
Lakshadweep mixes lagoon life, marine adventure and island culture. These are our favourite experiences:
Shallow, calm water full of coral and colourful fish, often right from the beach.
Beginners and certified divers explore reefs, walls and drop-offs with trained instructors.
Paddle glassy water at sunrise or sunset. Single and double kayaks are widely available.
See the reef without getting wet – great for children and seniors.
Boat out to Thinnakara or a lagoon sandbank for a quiet day on a strip of sand.
Visit Kavaratti’s Ujra Mosque and Marine Aquarium, taste tuna dishes and coconut sweets, and watch traditional boat-building.
More ideas: Lakshadweep festivals
Availability of every activity depends on the island, the operator and weather conditions on the day.
Snorkelling, guided kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides are good choices if you have little experience of marine activities.
Some approved diving centres also offer introductory scuba dives under professional supervision.
Yes. You do not need to swim to enjoy the beaches, boat excursions and island scenery. Some guided marine activities may also accommodate non-swimmers, depending on the operator’s safety assessment.
Never enter unfamiliar water without supervision, and always follow local safety instructions.
Yes – its coral reefs and marine life make Lakshadweep one of India’s most attractive diving destinations. Sightings and underwater visibility vary with location, season and conditions.
Beginners and certified divers alike should use authorised operators and follow their safety guidelines.
Recent guest reviews
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We had the best 4 days (3 nights) in Kerela thanks to Anthony and Iris Tours. We saw waterfalls, beaches, Fort Kochi and stayed on a houseboat, with Anthony always there to advise and safely drive us about. He reccomended optional shopping, restaurants, and pointed out interesting things along the way. The houseboat wa…
Austin, United States · Solo Travellers
My solo trip to Kerala was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The overall journey was great, and I really appreciated the excellent service and support throughout my 4-day private Kerala tour. I also want to thank the entire team for their timely communication, genuine care and excellent service. As a solo tr…
Rajkot, India · Families with Kids
We are extremely happy and more than satisfied with the services provided by Iris Holidays during our 8 Nights / 9 Days Kerala family trip. Everything was exceptionally well organised, and they delivered almost everything exactly as promised. Our journey became a beautiful and memorable experience for the entire family…
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Offenburg, Germany · Honeymooners & Couples
Wonderfull Trip in Kerala with beautifull spots during the trip. We had also a very nice driver (Vippin) - super professionell always on time and super helpfull as well. Hotels were very clean. We can highly recommend this trip!
London, United Kingdom · Senior Citizens
We wholly recommend Iris Holidays. We had an idea of where we wanted to visit in Kerala and Arun helped us work out the best itinerary and found us various hotels to choose from. He was very patient. He checked in with us everyday of our trip.But what really made this trip special was our driver Antony, who was kind, f…
Kolkata, India · Traveller
We just concluded our 7-day family tour across Kerala, traveling with my parents, and I must say Iris Holidays delivered a seamless, memorable experience from start to finish. Right upon our arrival at Kochi Airport, we were warmly received by a representative of Iris Holidays, who thoughtfully walked us through the co…
Tel Aviv, Israel · Families with Kids
We recently completed an amazing 8-day Kerala trip with Iris Tours, visiting Athirappilly, Munnar, Kumarakom, and Fort Kochi. From the beginning to the end, the trip was beautifully planned and we had a truly memorable experience.Every place we visited was unique and beautiful. The waterfalls and greenery of Athirappil…
Iris Holidays planned a well-organised and exciting Kerala tour with a great variety of experiences. Everything listed in the itinerary was covered, and each experience felt unique. The food was fantastic, especially at Lake and Hills and on the houseboat. A memorable Kerala experience with Iris Holidays.
Haifa, Israel · Honeymooners & Couples
We found Iris Holidays through an online search, and from the very first message we knew we were in good hands. George was extremely responsive, and after several exchanges and modifications, he created a 7-day Kerala itinerary that matched exactly what we were looking for, covering Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey and Kochi…
Sydney, Australia · Solo Travellers
Great organisation and communication throughout. Sara was great in tour design and support, Sanju the driver/guide was an experienced driver on the crazy roads here, making me feel quite safe. He was also flexible, suggested many things and very punctual.Thank you to these two individuals in particular who mad my trip …
Los Angeles, United States · Solo Travellers
Iris Holidays was amazing! I loved the beautiful wildlife, enjoyed the cruise ride, and the Indian food was absolutely amazing. It was a wonderful experience exploring Kerala
Wellington, New Zealand · Honeymooners & Couples
We're Tracey and Andrew from New Zealand, and we were looking for a holiday in Kerala when we found Iris Holidays online. From the very beginning, the team was professional, responsive, and easy to deal with. They organized our entire itinerary at a great price and provided us with a fantastic driver who made our journ…
When to go
October - May
Getting there
Lakshadweep can be reached from Kochi by air (about 1 hour 15 minutes to Agatti) or by passenger ship (about 14 to 20 hours). A valid entry permit is required before you travel and is checked at departure and on arrival.
Flight and ship schedules change often, and ship tickets are issued through the Lakshadweep administration's system. Iris Holidays arranges your permit, flights or ship tickets, and island transfers as part of the package.
George JosephDesigned 8000 + Tour Packages · Kerala & India Tour Specialist
Arun DevDesigned 20000 + Tour Packages · Kerala, India and International Tour Specialist
SaranyaDesigned 17000 + Tour Packages · Kerala and India Tour Specialist
Akshay VinodDesigned 8000 + Tour Packages · Kerala Tour Specialist
Sara ThomasDesigned 7500 + Tour Packages · Kerala Tour Specialist
KannanDesigned 8000 + Tour Packages · Kerala, India and International Tour Specialist
VijeeshThe Guy Who Will Welcome You in Kerala · Head of Customer Relations and Transportation
We visit and verify every resort in Kerala that we suggest, so guests like you can be warm and comfortable on an awesome holiday. We won’t suggest anywhere we haven’t been to and tried ourselves. When you book online or call us, we share the insider advice we’d give our best friends about destinations and hotels. Rest assured: when you book with us, every last detail is taken care of.
The only tour company in Kerala with 2,500+ five-star reviews on Tripadvisor over 14 years, from guests in many countries. Consistency matters!
We are approved after verification by the Govt of India and the Govt of Kerala. See certificates
Chauffeur-driven vehicle for you, 24×7.
We hand-pick our hotels and houseboats.
Our award-winning, personalised private trips bring insider tips from 15 years of crafting tours in Kerala.
Certificate of Excellence / Travellers’ Choice every year since 2014.
We visit and verify all resorts in Kerala that we suggest to you so that guests like you can have a VERY warm & comfortable about an awesome holiday. We won’t suggest anywhere that we haven’t been to and tried ourselves. When you book online or call us, we share the kind of insider low-down we'd give to our best friends about destinations and hotels. Rest assured: when you book with us, every last detail is taken care
Only Tour Company in Kerala with 2500+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews on TripAdvisor over 14 years from multiple customers from multiple countries. Consistency Matters!
We are approved after verification by Govt of India & Govt of Kerala
Chauffeur driven vehicle for you 24X7
We handpick our hotels & houseboats
Our award-winning, personalised private trips provide incredible insights and insider tips from last 15 years of experience of crafting tours in Kerala, passionately bringing alive unique and exclusive experiences for you.
Certificate of Excellence Award for the past 13 Consecutive Years from 2014 to 2026
Award-winning Kerala specialists who design every trip around you - recognised by Tripadvisor with the Certificate of Excellence for 13 consecutive years (2014–2026).
