A beautiful set of islands set on the eastern coast of the Arabian Sea comes together to form India’s smallest union territory, Lakshadweep Islands. Formerly known as Laccadive Islands, meaning one hundred thousand islands, in Malayalam, these untouched islands, unlike any other on Indian soil simply take your breath away. The 36 islands spread over an area of 32 kilometres, consist of 12 atolls, 3 reefs, and 5 submerged banks along with 10 inhabited islands. Other than the ten inhabited islands, others are used for coconut plantations, tourism, fish hatcheries and numerous other activities. Due to its geographical uniqueness, the place is always brimming with adventure, with exciting sports, scuba diving lessons, and exploration walks. Some especially pick this destination to soak

A beautiful set of islands set on the eastern coast of the Arabian Sea comes together to form India’s smallest union territory, the Lakshadweep Islands. Formerly known as the Laccadive Islands, meaning one hundred thousand islands, in Malayalam, these untouched islands, unlike any other on Indian soil, simply take your breath away. The 36 islands spread over an area of 32 kilometres, consist of 12 atolls, 3 reefs, and 5 submerged banks, along with 10 inhabited islands. Other than the ten inhabited islands, others are used for coconut plantations, tourism, fish hatcheries, and numerous other activities. Due to its geographical uniqueness, the place is always brimming with adventure, with exciting sports, scuba diving lessons, and exploration walks. Some especially pick this destination to soak in the sun and enjoy relaxed days at the beach. However, one of the major attractions of this archipelago is scuba diving. Many adventure seekers sign up at the special diving institute that enables them to explore more of the deep coral reefs in the region. Located 400 kms off the Malabar coast, the secluded location adds to the charm of the place for thousands looking for a quiet yet memorable vacation. With each island offering some magical and offbeat spots, it is hard to decide where to begin. Some islands have now strategically developed to appeal to divers and water sports enthusiasts, while others are set for those looking for quieter spots. The history of the island reveals that it was captured by the Arabs, the Portuguese, and eventually the British. So you can witness the cultural mix while the indigenous language is a dialect of Malayalam, showcasing heavy influence from the Indian mainland. Only during the last decade have the islands started opening up to tourists. Lakshadweep tourism is primarily centered around water sports. Some of the activities you can indulge in are scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, kayaking, sailing, glass-bottom boat ride tours, fishing, water skiing, and deep-sea fishing. You can also set out on excursion tours to nearby islands like Bangaram, Thinnakara, Parali, and Kalpitty. The colorful corals, untouched beaches, and hidden lagoons make the islands definitely worth exploring. Visitors need to obtain their permits from Kochi (Kerala). While Indians are allowed to see all the islands, international travellers can only access Agatti, Bangaram, and Kadmat Islands. There have been many developments in order to promote the area and showcase such a mesmerizing destination to more tourists. There are a number of hotels and resorts for your comfortable stay, all of which are built under the Indian government's supervision.