LAKSHADWEEP
GETTING THERE
The easiest way to travel to Lakshadweep is by taking a short flight from Kochi airport to Agatti Island. From Agatti Island, you will then need to take a speedboat or helicopter to any of Lakshadweep’s local islands. If you want to save money, there is a passenger ship from Kochi (with sleeper cabins) which takes around 14–18 hours to reach Lakshadweep’s surrounding islands. Visitors, both Indian and foreign, require an entry permit before travelling, which can be obtained upon booking accommodation and transport.
Also known as the Laccadive Islands, Lakshadweep is an archipelago lying between 200 to 400 kilometres from the southeast coast of India in the Laccadive Sea. Due to their geographical location, unspoilt dive sites and clear waters, Lakshadweep has even been compared to the Maldives.
With 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and around 39 islands, Lakshadweep is suitable for divers of any calibre. The island lagoons offer calm waters with endless visibility while those looking for something more adventurous can venture to the outer reefs where there are exciting canyon dives.
“Due to their geographical location, unspoilt dive sites and clear waters, Lakshadweep has even been compared to the Maldives.”
BANGARAM ISLAND
Bangaram Island is located near Agatti, the gateway to Lakshadweep, and is the only resort island in the area. This means that Bangaram Island is typically the first touchpoint for divers visiting Lakshadweep. There are around 16 dives sites around Bangaram, beckoning beginner and expert divers alike.
Manta Point is one of the most popular dive sites here. With kaleidoscopic reefs starting at six metres and sloping down to 23 metres, divers can expect to see an abundance of marine life including snappers, tuna, reef sharks, octopuses, lobsters and, of course, during the months of November and December, manta rays.
Little Canyon is another spectacular offering with pristine, unspoiled reefs bursting with marine life. This dive site offers visitors the opportunity to encounter interesting sea dwellers such as stingrays, sweetlips, reef sharks and schooling fish.
For those seeking to explore India’s most impressive underwater topography, make sure you add Grand Canyon to your bucket list. Surrounded by two sloping 30-metre walls encrusted with a dazzling variety of vibrant fan corals, this dive site is swarming with marine life, from reef sharks to stingrays to tuna.
DIVE EXPERIENCE All levels, from beginner upwards
BEST TIME TO DIVE Late October to early May
WATER TEMPERATURE 27–30°C
VISIBILITY 20–50 metres
DEPTH 16 to 24 metres
KALPENI ISLAND
Located 287 kilometres west of the city of Kochi, Kalpeni Island is an inhabited atoll offering stunning coral reefs, interesting wrecks, and thrilling drift dives.
For intrepid adrenaline junkies, Wall of Wonder is a must-visit. An incredible drift dive along a healthy reef wall, Wall of Wonder reaches a maximum depth of 25 metres. Divers will be fascinated by the fish, turtles, moray eels and groupers that can be seen darting in and out of the hard, soft and fan corals.
Another amazing dive site is Turtle Nest. As the name suggests, this site is teeming with sea turtles of various species. Sloping down to a depth of 18 metres, this dive site is suitable for beginner divers. Also look out for red snappers and moray eels cruising around.
Two other notable dive sites in this area are Western and Eastern Classroom. Both sites drop down to around 18 metres and are home to a multitude of interesting marine life and soft corals.
MINICOY ISLAND
Minicoy is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep. It offers an array of different dive sites, including stunning coral reefs, exhilarating drift dives and two steamship wreck dives. Not only is this island home to some of India’s most diverse dive sites, the moving currents also bring in one of the ocean’s most majestic marine animals – the manta ray.
“Another amazing dive site is Turtle Nest. As the name suggests, this site is teeming with sea turtles of various species”