Be warned. There are some things that are really hard to find in Lakshadweep. Like fast cars, shrinks, or tranquilizers. They do have all that water though! Bright and clear as liquid glass.
Expect lush coconut groves, tranquil lagoons and long stretches of white sun-drenched beaches where the only sounds are the crash of waves and the breeze blowing through the palm trees. In Lakshadweep , nature is unspoilt, undisturbed and serene. The only throngs you'll ever see are of the sandpipers on the shore. Watch the spectacular marine life (sharks, green turtles, barracudas, corals, oriental sweetlip fish, hawksbill), or sleep by the sea with the night sky as your ceiling... therapy has never felt better.
Geographically similar to that other divers' haunt, Lakshadweep is like the Maldives without the crowds. Situated in the Arabian Sea, 400 kilometers off the coast of Kerala, this group of 36 coral islands and atolls can be reached by a twenty-hour sea journey from Kochi (formerly Cochin ).
The five islands that are inhabited are Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Minicoy and Bangaram. They are ideal for fishing, yachting, diving, snorkelling, and deep sea fishing.
Only two islands, Bangaram and Kadmat, are open to non Indians. There are dive centers on both these islands.
English, Malayalam, Mhal
Between November and May.
Tropical - between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius.
Throughout the year: Warm
Monsoon, from October to November
Throughout the year-Cottons
Indian Airlines flies from Kochi (formerly Cochin ) to Agatti island. On arrival at Agatti, you will be transferred to either Bangaram or Kadmat Island by private resort boats. It is advisable to book both your inbound and outbound tickets well in advance.
There is a ship service that taken about 20 hours to reach Lakshadweep from Kochi. Tickets can be obtained on arrival or by your travel agent.
The Bangaram Island Resort, run by Casino Hotels
Laccadives, a diving school on Kadmat, provides meals and accommodation.
Family huts are available at Bangaram, Kadmat, and Kavaratti.
Sports, a Kochi-based company, offers cruises on the MV Tipu Sultan from Willingdon Island. You need to book at Kochi.
Around Kadmat Island
Surrounded on the eastern and western side by the lagoon, Kadmat is a haven of solitude. This little island, which was once a trading post for the ancient Romans, has an astonishing variety of marine flora and fauna. Some of the dive sites defy description they are ethereal moments of pure wonder.
The Wall
A wall of soft coral starting at 12 meters and cascading down to the deep blue. Dive amongst turtles as resplendent as their surroundings.
StingRay City
A 21 meter dive along the sand dunes, abundant with Sting Rays.
Cross Currents
Located between the islands of Amini and Kadmat, drift dive along with schools of Snapper, Fusilier and Sharks at 15-21 meters.
JackPoint
A drift dive between 21-30 meters with different types of fish like Jack Fish and King Fish.
Garden of Eden An abundance of table coral at 12-25 meters along with varieties of small fish and Groupers.
East Channel
Located between 9-20 meters an abundance of soft coral and tuna.
A tear-drop shaped island surrounded by a continuous strip of creamy sand. The temperate blue-green waters of the Indian Ocean are an irresistible invitation to the scuba diving fraternity of the world.
The exquisite black coral formations along with Angel Fish, Clown fish, Butterfly, Surgeons, Groupers, Mantas, Sting Rays and wondrous marine life are found in Lakshadweep.
Visit the wreck of the Princess Royal at 32 meters, sunk in a battle over two hundred years ago. If luck is on your side, you might even have the pleasure of being escorted by a pod of 10-20 Dolphins!
Visit the dive sites Manta Point, Shark Point and The Wall. Dive amidst a submerged reef with shoals of Giant Parrotfish.
Bangaram - a place on the edge of the world. A bit of paradise.
Bangaram Island Resort
Address: Casino Hotel, Willingdon Island , Cochin 682003, India.
Tel: 91-484-668221 /668421
Fax: 91-484-668001
Dive Location:Bangaram Island , Lakshadweep
Contact Person at Cochin : Jose Dominic
Names & Qualifications of Dive Staff:
Adarsh Vansay - CMAS** Instructor,
Parinita Nath - CMAS***Dive Master/Instructor.
Address: E-20 Everest Building , Tardeo, Mumbai 400034, India.
Tel: 91-22-4940431, 4940510, 4942723.
Fax: 91-22-4951644
Cochin:Pallath Building , Kurishupally Road , Ravipuram , Cochin 682016
Dive Location:Kadmat Island , Lakshadweep
Contact Person at Cochin : Reena Singh
Names & Qualifications of Dive Staff:
Anees Adenwala - CMAS**Instructor,
Mitali Kakar - CMAS**Instructor,
Adarsh Vansay - CMAS**Instructor
Decompression Chamber
For both the dive centers, the nearest decompression chamber is a 2 hour chopper ride to the Naval Base at Cochin.
Permits For Bangaram
All foreigners need to send their names, nationality, date of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry to the resort. The resort at Bangaram will obtain the permits through the Lakshadweep Administration. A minimum of 3 days is required for this.
Permits For Kadmat
6 photographs along with the first and last three pages of your current passport have to be submitted to the office of the dive center. Permission for Kadmat comes from the Home Minstry via Lakshadweep Administration. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for this process.