Off the coast of Kerala, lies the beautiful region of Lakshadweep comprising of 36 white-sand islands open to the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean. Home to hundreds of tourists each year, this is a very popular destination for Indian as well as foreign travellers.
But when travelling, the first thing people often wonder about is accommodation. And with so many different islands to choose from, it can get quite difficult to decide where to stay.
One important thing to remember is that Lakshadweep needs a permit for entry and it is possible to visit only if you have a prearranged tourist package. So deciding where you are going to stay is crucial to the planning of the trip. Although it is a group of 36 islands, there are very few islands where tourists are actually allowed to stay.
So one of the best options to opt for, if you want to see multiple islands in one trip, is a boat-stay package. This involves spending nights on the ship or cruise boat and during the day you are taken to different islands to engage in various activities like water sports, diving, sightseeing, snorkeling etc. There are multiple services available for such a stay but the most common one is a stay aboard the ship ‘MV Tipu Sultan’ which takes you to the Kalpeni, Kavaratti, and Minicoy islands.
Besides the boat-stay, there are beach resorts at multiple islands like Kadmat, Minicoy, Agatti, Bangaram, Kavaratti and Kalpeni. Certain government run resorts are only open to Indian nationals. Some islands such as Kadmat, Agatti, Minicoy etc offer luxury beach resorts which are also open to foreign nationals.
SPORTS (Society for Promotion Of Nature Tourism and Sports) in Lakshadweep also helps travellers to arrange for package tours which includes permits, stay, meals and dives.
All in all, Lakshadweep is an experience that should not be missed. While staying on a boat allows for a wider exploration, one night spent on the beach is a like experiencing heaven on earth. With the blue waters, sound of the gushing waves, white sands, hammocks and the clear skies above, it is difficult to not fall in love with this place.