Travel Guide — Updated for 2026

Your map to the islands.

Flights, ships, permits, costs and the small print — everything you need to plan a smooth Lakshadweep trip, written by hosts who live here.

1
Airport on the islands
Agatti (AGX)
1h 30m
Flights to Agatti
Fly91 — IndiGo — Alliance
100%
Permit required
We handle it for you
Sep?Mar
Best months
Calm sea, 23–30°C
Step 01

Entry permit — required for everyone

Lakshadweep is a protected island territory. Every visitor — Indian or foreign — needs an entry permit before travelling. You cannot board the flight or ship without it.

What you need

We arrange it
  • Valid government ID — Aadhaar / Passport
  • Recent passport-size photo
  • Police clearance certificate (we help arrange this)
  • Confirmed accommodation — your Jetzzi voucher works
  • Return flight or ship ticket
Book your stay with us first — we handle the permit paperwork end-to-end so you don't have to chase forms.

The Jetzzi process map

01

Police Clearance

Apply for a PCC at your local station — we share a checklist and template letter to speed things up.

02

Entry Permit

Submit your ID + PCC + photo through our admin desk. Permits are usually issued within 7–10 working days.

03

Flight Booking

We book Kochi → Agatti (Alliance Air / IndiGo), Bengaluru → Agatti (IndiGo) or Goa → Agatti (Fly91) on your preferred date.

04

Stay Confirmed

Standard tier stays on Agatti; Premium tier transfers across to Bangaram by speedboat after arrival.

05

You Arrive

We meet you at Agatti airport, hand over your welcome kit and brief you on weather, tides and the day-one schedule.

Step 02

Two ways to reach Lakshadweep

Most guests fly — it's faster, more reliable, and you arrive ready for the beach instead of seasick.

Recommended

By Flight

1h 30m — Kochi — Agatti

  1. Fly to Kochi (COK), Bengaluru (BLR) or Goa (GOI) from your home city.
  2. Catch a direct flight to Agatti (AGX) — six daily services across three airlines (see list below).
  3. From Agatti: 30 min — 4 hr boat to your island, or helicopter when sea is rough.
  • Fly91 — Goa (GOI) — Agatti
  • Fly91 — Kochi (COK) — Agatti
  • IndiGo — Kochi (COK) — Agatti
  • IndiGo — Bengaluru (BLR) — Agatti
  • Alliance Air — Kochi (COK) — Agatti
  • Alliance Air — Bengaluru (BLR) — Agatti
We're an authorised travel agent for all six routes — if you need tickets, just message us and we'll book them at the best fare along with your stay and permit.
Tip: Keep a buffer day in Kochi on the way back — Agatti flights are weather-dependent.
Slow & scenic

By Ship

14–20 hrs — from Kochi

  1. Operator: Lakshadweep Administration — book via Sports / Tourism offices in Kochi.
  2. Classes available: bunk, 2-berth and deluxe cabins.
  3. Ships are cheaper than flights but slower and weather-sensitive.
Heads up: Not recommended May?September (monsoon) — ships are often cancelled.
Step 03

The islands at a glance

Only ten of Lakshadweep's 36 islands are inhabited, and just a handful welcome tourists. Here's the shortlist most guests pick from.

01

Agatti

Gateway island — Best for first-timers

Home to the only airport. Long white beaches, calm lagoon, easy snorkeling. Most trips start — and often end — here.

  • Best for Lagoon swims, scuba, sunset cruises
  • Stay Homestays + mid-range resorts
02

Bangaram

Private-feel atoll — Honeymoon favourite

Uninhabited resort island ringed by reef. Quiet, lush, picture-perfect — a honeymooner's classic.

  • Best for Couples, deep-sea fishing, diving
  • Reach 30 min boat from Agatti
03

Thinnakara

Castaway sandbar — Day-trip gem

A thin strip of white sand with a single line of palms. Day excursions from Agatti with beach lunch under the trees.

  • Best for Day picnics, snorkeling, photos
  • Reach 30 min boat from Agatti
04

Kavaratti

Administrative capital — Culture stop

The capital. Aquarium, ujra mosque, calm beaches and a glimpse of everyday island governance and life.

  • Best for Slow days, culture, kayaking
  • Reach Ship from Kochi or chartered boat
05

Kadmat

Diver's island — House-reef heaven

Long, narrow and famous for its reef. A go-to for scuba divers — PADI courses run from the beachfront resort.

  • Best for Diving, kayaking, glass-bottom boats
  • Reach Ship from Kochi
06

Minicoy

Far-south island — Distinct culture

The southernmost island with its own language and traditions. A 220 ft lighthouse, traditional jahadhoni boats and quiet villages.

  • Best for Culture, lighthouse, longer trips
  • Reach Ship from Kochi (longest route)
Step 03

Best time to visit

The sea decides everything in Lakshadweep. Pick the calm months and your trip practically plans itself.

★ Best

Sep — Mar

23–30°C

The long calm season — glass-still lagoons, gentle winds and the clearest underwater visibility of the year. Peak demand from Dec to Feb, so book early.

Great

April

27–32°C

Warm, mostly calm sea and fewer crowds. A lovely shoulder month — your money goes further and the lagoons are still swim-ready.

Okay

May

30–34°C

Pre-monsoon, hot and humid with the first squalls building. Still doable for a short trip if you don't mind a choppy day or two.

✦ Bonus

Year-round

We plan it

Even outside peak, our hosts craft slow trips around calm-water days — permits, flights and transfers all handled for you. Just tell us your dates.

Sweet spot: November to February — calm lagoons, comfortable nights and the year's best snorkeling visibility.

Step 05

A sample 4-day plan

Most first-time visitors stay 3 to 5 nights. Here's the rhythm we usually suggest — slow mornings, water in the afternoon, sunsets on the sand.

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Agatti — settle in

    • Morning — Fly Kochi — Agatti (1h 30m). Boat transfer to your stay.
    • Afternoon — Lagoon swim, slow lunch, hammock time.
    • Evening — Sunset walk on the western beach. Fresh tuna for dinner.
  2. Day 2

    Reef day — snorkel & scuba

    • Morning — Snorkeling at the house reef or a try-dive with PADI instructors.
    • Afternoon — Optional jet ski / kayak / paddleboard session.
    • Evening — Bonfire dinner with the host family.
  3. Day 3

    Island hop — Thinnakara / Bangaram

    • Morning — 30-min boat ride to a castaway sandbar.
    • Afternoon — Beach lunch under the palms, swim, nap, repeat.
    • Evening — Return to Agatti for a sunset cruise or quiet dinner.
  4. Day 4

    Slow morning — fly out

    • Morning — One last swim, breakfast on the porch, pack up.
    • Midday — Boat back to Agatti airport, flight to Kochi.
    • Tip — Keep a buffer night in Kochi — island flights are weather-dependent.

Want longer? Add Kadmat for serious diving or Bangaram for a quieter, private-feel finish. We'll re-balance the plan for you.

Step 06

What a trip actually costs

Rough per-person budget for a 4-day / 3-night trip from a metro Indian city, mid-range stay, sharing a room.

Flights (your city — Kochi — Agatti)
₹22,000 — 35,000
Stay (3 nights, mid-range)
₹18,000 — 30,000
Food (most meals at stay)
Usually included
Water sports & excursions
₹6,000 — 15,000
Permit + transfers
₹1,500 — 3,000
Typical total / person
₹45,000 — 80,000

Save money

  • Travel as a pair — stays are priced per room, not per head.
  • Pick Oct or Mar shoulder months for 20–30% off peak rates.
  • Bundle activities into a package — we discount the more you add.
See our packages
Step 07

What to pack

Pack light — luggage allowance on Agatti flights is tight (usually 10–15 kg check-in plus a 7 kg cabin bag).

Documents

  • Printed permit + ID copies (2 sets)
  • Flight / ship tickets
  • Travel insurance (recommended)

Clothes

  • Light cotton t-shirts & shorts
  • 2 swimsuits (one dry, one wet)
  • One warm layer for boat rides at night

Beach kit

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen kills coral)
  • Hat, sunglasses, flip-flops
  • One pair of water shoes
  • Dry bag for phone / camera

Health & tech

  • Personal medication (island pharmacies are basic)
  • Insect repellent
  • Power bank — power cuts happen
  • Universal adapter
Step 08

Money, network & the small stuff

Cash

Plan for ₹3,000–5,000 per person per day in cash for extras (water sports, tea shops, tips, souvenirs). ATMs are scarce and often empty — withdraw at Kochi airport.

Network

BSNL and Jio work on most inhabited islands. Speeds are modest — fine for WhatsApp, emails and light browsing. Don't plan a Netflix marathon.

Food

Fresh tuna, coconut curries, rice, parathas. Vegetarian food is available but limited in variety — tell us your preferences when booking.

Connectivity tip

Carry a BSNL or Jio SIM activated before you fly — other operators don't work on the islands. We can guide you on activation in Kochi.

Step 09

Local etiquette — small things that matter

Lakshadweep is a Muslim-majority union territory with strong community values. A little awareness goes a long way and locals notice.

Please do

  • Ask before photographing people, especially women.
  • Carry your own water bottle and refill — plastic is a real problem.
  • Tip your boat crew and dive guides when service is good.
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen — the coral is the whole show.

Please don't

  • Step on, stand on, or touch live coral while snorkeling.
  • Take shells, sand or coral home — it's protected and illegal.
  • Play loud music on quiet beaches, especially after sunset.
Step 09a

Lakshadweep highlights

The shortlist of moments our guests still talk about months after the trip.

Bangaram lagoon

  • Glass-clear water, white-sand crescent and a coral garden a few fin-kicks from shore.

Sand-bank picnic

  • A tiny island that appears at low tide — a private beach for a few hours.

Sunset cruise to Kalpitti

  • Open boat, golden-hour palms and dolphins in the wake more often than not.

Kadamat house reef

  • One of India's best beginner dive sites — turtles, reef sharks, swirling jacks.
Step 09b

What you should not expect

So you arrive with the right mindset — Lakshadweep is paradise, not a resort town.

No malls or nightclubs

  • No nightlife strips, no shopping streets. Evenings are quiet and starlit.

Limited connectivity

  • BSNL works best; private networks are patchy. Wi-Fi is slow. Plan to disconnect.

Weather-driven schedules

  • Flights, ferries and boat rides can shift by a day. Keep a buffer day in Kochi on the way back.

Quiet island evenings

  • Evenings are low-key and community-first. Plan for relaxed nights instead of party scenes.
Step 10

Travelling with the island in mind

Lakshadweep is breathtaking, but it's also remote. A little understanding of how life works here will completely change the trip — for you and for the people hosting you.

Everything comes from the mainland

Petrol, vehicle parts, cement, tiles, glass, groceries — every single thing is shipped in from Kochi. Fragile items often arrive broken and prices reflect the journey. Despite that, islanders charge remarkably fair rates. Please reciprocate the warmth — don't haggle hard.

The people are the soul of the place

Islanders are genuinely kind, generous and honest. There's effectively zero crime — your belongings, and you, are safe. Greet warmly, smile often, and you'll be welcomed like family.

Expect raw, not polished

Building here is hard — every brick, tile and pane of glass crosses the sea. The salty air punishes everything it touches. So houses are simple concrete-and-brick structures and even the best homestays keep things basic. Only a handful of properties are truly sea-front or sea-facing. Come for the rawness and the silence, not for resort gloss.

The weather runs the show

Water sports, island hops, ships and even flights all bend to the weather. Cancellations are common, especially in the monsoon (May?September), when transport is at its sparsest. Keep your plans flexible, build in a buffer day or two at Kochi, and don't lock yourself into rigid schedules — the island simply doesn't work that way.

The right mindset: slow down, accept what comes, and you'll fall in love with the place. Fight it, and you'll feel only the inconvenience.

Step 11

Quick answers before you go

Is Lakshadweep safe?

Yes — extremely. Effectively zero crime, no stray dogs, no snakes. You can walk on the beach at midnight without a second thought.

Is it family / kid-friendly?

Absolutely. Calm lagoons, safe streets, gentle locals. Just pack favourite snacks since variety on the islands is limited.

Can I dive or snorkel without experience?

Yes. Snorkeling in the lagoon is waist-deep and beginner-friendly. We pair first-time divers with PADI-certified instructors for try-dives and certifications.

How early should I book?

For Dec–Feb travel, book 2–3 months ahead — flights and permits both fill up. Sep–Nov and Mar are easier to plan last-minute; message us either way.

Still got questions?

Drop a message — most replies come within an hour, often within minutes on WhatsApp.

Chat with host