Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 36 islands, is a tropical paradise located off the southwestern coast of India. Renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and clear blue waters, it is an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and those seeking tranquillity. This 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary will help you explore the best of Lakshadweep, from its stunning marine life to its unique culture and heritage.
Before beginning my 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary, I would like to share how to reach Lakshadweep first:
How to Reach Lakshadweep?
You can reach Lakshadweep Island either by flight or ship. To travel to Lakshadweep, you should first reach Kochi. The reason is that Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep.
You will have to reach either Bangaram or Agatti island. However, as our 7-day itinerary starts from Agatti, you can reach this place. Indian Airlines, operates flights from Kochi to take people to Agatti. You can reach Kochi either by flight or train as Kochi is well-connected to other cities in India.
Flight from Kochi to Agatti will take about one hour and 30 minutes. In Lakshadweep, the Airstrip is available only at Agatti. So, we will start our itinerary from this place.
Also, if you choose to travel by ship, 7 passenger ships connect Kochi and Lakshadweep. The travel time will be between 14 and 18 hours if you choose to travel by sea. The ships offer different classes of accommodation including AC first class with two berth cabins.
You might have heard that you should get a special permit to explore Lakshadweep. However, remember that not all places on this island need tourists to have a permit. The exempted places include Minicoy, Kadmat, Bangaram, Agatti and Kavaratti. If you wish to travel to other islands, you can apply for the permit online.
Do you love beach destinations? If so, my post on 8-day Goa itinerary can help you plan your visit.
My 7-Day Lakshadweep Itinerary
Now, you know how to reach Lakshadweep. As we plan to start our 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary from Agatti, let us ensure that you reach Agatti on the first day of our itinerary.
Day 1 & 2: Reaching Agatti and Travel to Bangaram Island
Day 1: Reaching Agatti
Let us consider that you are reaching Agatti on the first morning of our 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary. Upon reaching, check in to one of the above-mentioned or other accommodations you have previously booked.
Where to Stay in Agatti?
I would like to suggest a few accommodation options in Agatti. You can choose one based on your budget. Thankfully, you can book your accommodation in one of these places through hotel-booking apps or websites:
- White Pearl Beach Resort – This resort offers stunning ocean views, exciting water sports, and island-hopping excursions. It boasts proximity to the airport, delicious food, and excellent value for money
- Turtle Nest Resort – This resort is a great choice for those looking for a peaceful and relaxing stay. It offers comfortable accommodations, delicious food, and friendly service.
- Wundervoll Resort – This resort offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. It’s a great choice for those who want a luxurious and relaxing stay.
- Coral Paradise Beach Resort – This resort is located on a beautiful beach and offers a variety of water sports activities. It’s a great choice for those who want to enjoy the outdoors.
- Government Beach Huts – A budget-friendly option, these beach huts offer basic amenities but provide a true beachfront experience.
Morning
After reaching your accommodation, freshen up and have your breakfast. Check whether your accommodation has a restaurant attached to finish your breakfast. You might also be served complementary breakfast in your accommodation. So, check and accordingly finish your breakfast.
After breakfast, you can rest for a few hours before you start island hopping.
Afternoon Island Hopping
Before starting to island hopping trip, you can finish your lunch near your accommodation. The island hopping excursion will take you to nearby islands. You can enquire about this excursion in your accommodation as they can guide you with choosing the right provider. Bangaram Atoll is one of the best islands for your island-hopping excursion. Other islands you might be taken to include Minicoy, Andretti, Amini, Birla and Kadmat.
Also, check with your accommodation to know whether any special permission is required to visit these islands.
Evening: Relax by the Beach
After your island hopping excursion, you can soak in the surroundings of Agatti Island. You can engage in lip-smacking fruit punch, practice yoga, stroll along the beaches or you can lay down for relaxing by the beach.
You can find food outlets by the beachside to finish your dinner before heading to your accommodation to conclude the day.
Check out my post on the 7-Day Andaman & Nicobar Islands Itinerary and 8-day Rajasthan itinerary.
Day 2: Travel to Bangaram Island
On the second day of our 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary, we can finish our breakfast on Agatti Island before taking a boat trip to Bangaram Island. You can find many ferries and boats taking tourists and locals from Agatti to Bangaram island. The travel time will be around 45 minutes.
Where to Stay in Bangaram Island?
Unlike other Lakshadweep islands, Bangaram offers limited accommodation options. The primary place to stay is the Bangaram Island Resort. This beachfront resort provides a range of thatched-roof cottages, offering a rustic charm directly on the sand. They cater to various budgets with options for both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. The resort also handles most dining and activity needs, making it a convenient one-stop shop for your Bangaram stay. While budget guesthouses aren’t available here, the resort offers a variety of room categories to find the experience that suits you.
Morning: Reaching Bangaram Island
As you can reach Bangaram Island within a 45-minute ride from Agatti Island, you can start your day a bit late.
Let us consider that you are reaching Bangaram Island around 10.30 or 11 am. You can check in to your accommodation and spend some time relaxing before heading to a snorkelling adventure activity.
Afternoon: Snorkelling
Bangaram Island is known for its warm and calm waters ideal for fishing, snorkelling, diving and swimming. Otherwise, this island is ideal just for lazing around. However, if you are like me interested in adventurous activities, you can opt for snorkelling. This island has professionally trained and well-equipped divers to guide you with snorkelling. You can choose one of the two snorkelling activities available on this island.
After completing your snorkelling activity, you can finish your lunch on the beach. Go back to your accommodation to rest for a few hours.
Evening
Take a leisure walk along the shoreline close to your accommodation. After some time, you can enjoy your dinner under the stars along the beach watching the beauty of the ocean.
With this, the second day of our 7-say Lakshadweep itinerary comes to an end.
You might feel my blog on the West Bengal itinerary helpful if you plan a trip to this state.
Day 3 & 4: Bangaram Island Exploration and Trip to Kavaratti
Day 3: Exploring Bangaram Island
Let the third day of our itinerary begin with a refreshing cup of coffee with the sound of the sea. After coffee, take a refreshing bath at your accommodation before heading for a tasty breakfast.
Morning: Engage in Water Sports
Around an hour after your breakfast, you can engage in a lot of water sports in Bangaram Island. You can choose any one activity from paddleboarding, windsurfing and kayaking. Otherwise, you can try all these activities if you love adventurous water sports.
After this, take a fulfilling lunch at a beach-front restaurant. After lunch, get back to your accommodation to rest for a few hours. The reason is that adventurous water sports can be very tiring. I share this information out on my personal experience.
Evening
In the evening, you can go to the Bangaram Island lighthouse. You can get some stunning panoramic views from the top of the lighthouse. You can have a refreshing coffee with some evening snacks near the lighthouse before climbing atop.
Dinner
After spending some time in the lighthouse, take your dinner. You can also participate in a bonfire and barbecue dinner in your accommodation if available.
Here comes the end of the third day of our 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary.
Kindly go through my post on the 9-day Telangana itinerary. This post might help if you would like to spend some days during your next vacation.
Day 4: Trip to Kavaratti
On the 4th day of our 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary, we can travel to Kavaratti island. Finish your breakfast in Bangaram Island.
Morning: Travel to Kavaratti
It will be hard to find direct ferries from Bangaram Island and Kavaratti Island. So, you will have to reach Agatti first. From Agatti, many ferries operate to Kavaratti. To reach Agatti, it will take around 45 minutes. From Agatti, it might take around 30-45 minutes of a speed boat trip to reach Kavaratti.
Where to Stay in Kavaratti?
Kavaratti offers a broader range of stay options compared to Bangaram. Here’s a quick guide:
- Luxury: For a luxurious stay, consider the Kavaratti Island Beach Resort managed by the Lakshadweep Tourism Department. It boasts a beachfront location, modern amenities, and water sports facilities.
- Mid-Range: Several private resorts like Sea Shells Beach Resort offer comfortable cottages with a beachside vibe. These cater to travellers seeking a relaxed atmosphere without breaking the bank.
- Budget-Friendly: For budget travellers, government-run guesthouses provide basic amenities at an affordable cost.
Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and start at Kavaratti Mosque:
Afternoon: Kavaratti Mosque
- Visit the historic Kavaratti Mosque, adorned with intricate carvings and a towering minaret. At this mosque, you can immerse yourself in the rich culture of Lakshadweep in this capital city.
- Finish your lunch before heading to the Maring Research Institute
- After lunch, visit the Marine Research Institute after your lunch. From this institute, you can gain insights into Lakshadweep’s fascinating marine life.
Evening
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the traditional ‘Lafandi’ dance, a vibrant display of local culture.
As the day unfolds, indulge in a delectable spread of Lakshadweep cuisine, a unique blend of Malabari and Arabic flavours.
Reach back to your accommodation for a restful sleep.
Do not miss out on gaining insights from my post on the 10-day Tamil Nadu itinerary.
Day 5 & 6: Water Activities at Kavaratti & Travel To Thinnakara
Day 5: Engage in Water Activities at Kavaratti
Finish your breakfast in your accommodation and you have the entire day dedicated to participating in water activities in Kavaratti. So, you can start late.
Remember that no Lakshadweep experience is complete without diving into the underwater paradise. Kavaratti offers a plethora of water activities.
- Embark on a snorkelling adventure, marvelling at the dazzling array of colourful fish flitting through coral reefs.
- For the more adventurous, scuba diving unveils a breathtaking underwater world teeming with marine life.
- Witness majestic sea turtles glide effortlessly, vibrant coral formations teeming with life, and schools of exotic fish darting in and out of sight.
After spending a few hours on water activities, you can finish your lunch before getting back to your accommodation.
Evening
In the evening, enjoy a bonfire on the beach under a star-studded sky, sharing stories and creating unforgettable memories. If time permits, you can also stroll along the beachfront before going for your dinner.
After the dinner, your 5th day on the 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary comes to an end.
You might feel my blog on Punjab itinerary helpful.
Day 6: Travel to Thinnakara
On the 6th day, you can start late from Kavaratti after finishing your breakfast. You can find ferries that can take you to Thinnakara from Kavaratti.
Afternoon: Check-in at Thinnakara
You might wonder where to stay at Thinnakara. Your stay itself is going to be an experience at Thinnakara when you choose to stay in a tent. Yes, tents in Thinnakara are constructed like row houses on this island. You will feel as if you are staying on your private island.
Thinnakara Island is located just opposite side of Bangaram Island. Both these islands share the coralline and lagoon banks. Thinnakara is located around 8 km from Agatti.
You can spend your entire day on this island. Your stay in a tent will come with food as a package. You can spend some quality time on this island with impressive marine flora and fauna, enchantingly swaying palms, sun-drenched sand, sylvan sea shores and magnificent lagoons.
Above all, you can engage in watersports on this island as well. even, glass-bottomed boats are available on this island to help you see underwater life. Also, you can play beach volleyball with fellow tourists on this island.
So, you have an entire day of activities with food on this island. Enjoy the entire day and go to sleep in your tent house with lots of memories to take to your home.
Check-out my post on 11-day Madhya Pradesh itinerary
Day 7: Departure
On the final day of this 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary, start based on your flight time to Kochi from Agatti. You might have booked train tickets or flight tickets for your hometown from Kochi as well. Finish a refreshing breakfast at Thinnakara before you catch a ferry to reach Agatti.
On your return journey, you will have a lot of wonderful memories. Indeed, you will have a lot of digital photos in your tab and phone to cherish your memories about this 7-day Lakshadweep itinerary for several decades to come. Happy memories!
Also, check out my posts on the 10-day Maharashtra itinerary and the 10-day Andhra Pradesh itinerary.