Lakshadweep 2026 Trip Guide for Indians: Permits, Agatti & Scuba
Quick answer: Lakshadweep is India’s coral archipelago and a budget-friendly alternative to the Maldives, with translucent lagoons and just a handful of inhabited islands. Indians need an entry permit (apply via lakshadweep.gov.in or registered tour operators). Fly into Agatti, then boat or seaplane onward to Bangaram or Kadmat for scuba and snorkelling. October to mid-May is best; December-February is most reliable. Carry alcohol restrictions in mind: it’s banned on inhabited islands.
Lakshadweep got a sudden push into Indian travel mainstream in January 2024 when the Prime Minister visited, posted snorkelling photos, and started a small storm about Indians choosing domestic islands over Maldives. The result has been a real demand surge – resorts that earlier ran at 40% occupancy are now booked four months ahead. For 2026, this means the island chain is on most serious beach-traveller shortlists, but it also means the permit process and accommodation booking need to be planned earlier than ever.
The Lakshadweep archipelago is a string of 36 coral islands off the Kerala coast, of which only 10 are inhabited and fewer than 6 are open to tourists. The water is genuinely Maldives-quality – that same impossible turquoise, the same coral reefs starting just metres from the beach, the same lagoons protected from open sea swell. What is different is the scale (much smaller), the rules (Indians need a permit, foreigners need additional clearances), and the resort options (a handful of properties, mostly state-run or basic private).
Getting there
The only commercial flight to Lakshadweep is to Agatti Airport (AGX) operated by Alliance Air, a daily service from Kochi (COK) and limited services from Bengaluru (BLR). Round-trip fares are INR 18,000 to 24,000 in 2026 from Kochi. Flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes. There are no other airports in the archipelago.
From Kochi by sea, MV Kavaratti and MV Lakshadweep Sea passenger ships operate weekly, taking 14-20 hours one way depending on the destination island. Tickets range INR 3,200 (bunk) to INR 9,800 (first class cabin). The sea route is cheaper but heavily booked and weather-dependent. From October to May the sea is generally calm; June to September is monsoon and most island travel is suspended.
Indians need an Entry Permit to visit Lakshadweep. Apply on epermit.utl.gov.in 30 days in advance with passport-size photos, Aadhaar card, police clearance certificate (free at any police station, takes 7-10 days), and confirmed hotel bookings. The permit takes 10-15 working days to process. Foreigners need an additional Restricted Area Permit through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Agatti: Land at AGX. Most tourist packages base on Agatti for the first night. Agatti Beach Resort is the main option. Check in by lunch, walk the lagoon beach, snorkel in the shallows directly from the beach. Sunset cruise on a glass-bottom boat for INR 1,200.
Day 2-4 Bangaram: Speedboat transfer to Bangaram Island, 1 hour 30 minutes, INR 4,500 per person round trip. Bangaram Island Resort is the only accommodation here – this is the high-end private island experience. Days are spent on the white sand beaches that wrap around the entire 1.5 km island, snorkelling in the lagoon, kayaking, sunset dolphin spotting. Scuba diving with the on-site PADI centre at INR 5,500 per dive including equipment. The reef has manta rays, reef sharks, dozens of coral species.
Day 5-6 Kadmat: Boat to Kadmat, 2 hours from Agatti. Kadmat Beach Resort runs basic cottages at INR 5,400 per night including all meals. The lagoon is longer than Bangaram’s. Kadmat is famous for night diving and the long beach walks at low tide. Many Indian travellers prefer this over Bangaram because of the better price.
Day 7: Return to Agatti by boat, fly out to Kochi. For more island options, the Mauritius guide compares well.
Where to stay
Accommodation is the biggest constraint in Lakshadweep. Bangaram Island Resort is the premium option at INR 28,000 per night per couple, all-inclusive with meals. Kadmat Beach Resort is the mid-range at INR 14,500 per night per couple AI. Agatti Beach Resort at INR 8,400 per night is the most accessible option. Cinque Holiday Cottages on Kavaratti work for budget travellers at INR 4,200 per night room-only.
The total island accommodation capacity is under 600 beds across all properties, which is why bookings need to be 4-6 months in advance for December-February peak season. SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism and Sports), the government tourism body, manages most bookings. Private packages through tour operators in Kochi often have priority allocation.
Common mistakes
- Trying to compare directly to Maldives. Lakshadweep is more rustic – rooms are basic, food is simple Kerala-style, evening entertainment is non-existent. The water is comparable but the resort experience is not.
- Booking without the permit ready. Resort bookings need the permit confirmation. Start the permit process before booking flights.
- Not factoring in seasonal closures. Many islands and resorts shut May to September for monsoon. Bangaram is closed during this window.
- Carrying alcohol. Lakshadweep is a dry territory except for Bangaram Island which has a permit. Bringing alcohol to other islands is illegal.
- Expecting easy connectivity. Mobile signal is patchy and internet is basic. Plan a digital detox.
Vegetarian food
Lakshadweep cuisine is heavily seafood and coconut based. Vegetarians have to request meals in advance with resorts. The state-run properties like Agatti Beach Resort and Kadmat Beach Resort cater to veg guests with idli, dosa, sambhar, rice, mixed vegetable curry and coconut chutney. Bangaram Island Resort has a separate veg menu but availability of fresh vegetables is limited because of weekly supply boats from Kochi.
Carry your own backup of MTR ready-to-eat packets, theplas, achaar and dry snacks. Most resorts will heat your packets if you ask. Avoid expecting variety – the same 3-4 vegetable dishes rotate through the week. Bottled water is INR 50 per litre and limited; bring purification tablets if you go off the resort grid.
Money, SIM and connectivity
ATMs exist only on Kavaratti and Agatti, and BSNL is the only mobile network with reliable coverage. Carry sufficient cash from Kochi – INR 30,000-50,000 minimum for a 7-day trip. Card facilities are limited to government properties; private vendors are cash-only. Diving operators and boat charters take advance UPI bookings but on-site payments are mostly cash.
BSNL SIMs from Kochi work across the islands. Other networks (Jio, Airtel) have very limited coverage on some main islands and zero on smaller ones. Resort WiFi is satellite-based, slow, and often charged – INR 200 for 24 hours of 500MB on Bangaram. Treat the trip as offline.
Packing checklist
- Reef-safe sunscreen (zinc-based, no oxybenzone) – protects coral
- Polarised sunglasses, wide-brim hat
- Swimwear, rashguard for snorkelling
- Aqua shoes for reef walks
- Cotton/linen full-sleeve clothes for sun protection
- Reusable water bottle
- First-aid kit (motion sickness pills for boat transfers, antiseptic)
- Cash in INR small denominations
- Permit printout (multiple copies)
- Original Aadhaar/voter ID
FAQs
How do I apply for the Lakshadweep permit? Online at epermit.utl.gov.in. Submit Aadhaar, photo, police clearance and hotel bookings. Processing 10-15 working days. Fee INR 100 for adults.
Is Lakshadweep better than Maldives? Different. Lakshadweep is simpler, cheaper for Indians (no visa, INR pricing), and the water is comparable. Maldives has more developed resorts, water villas, and far more variety. For a no-frills coral island experience, Lakshadweep wins.
Can I do scuba without certification? Yes, Bangaram and Kadmat both offer Discover Scuba Diving for beginners at INR 5,500 per dive including a brief pool session. No certification needed.
Is the trip safe for families with children? Yes, lagoons are shallow and reef-protected. Both Bangaram and Kadmat have child-friendly snorkelling zones. Bring water shoes for reef walks.
What is the best time to visit? October to mid-May. December-January is peak. Monsoon June-September sees ferry suspensions and rough seas.
Are there cultural restrictions? Yes – Lakshadweep is 96% Muslim. Dress modestly when walking through villages (covered shoulders and knees, no swimwear off the beach). Alcohol is prohibited except on Bangaram.
Sample budget breakdown (6 days, couple)
- Flights Mumbai-Kochi-Agatti return: INR 42,000
- Permit, police clearance, paperwork: INR 600
- Resort (3 nights Bangaram AI, 2 nights Kadmat AI): INR 1,28,000
- Inter-island boats: INR 18,000
- Scuba diving (4 dives): INR 22,000
- Miscellaneous (drinks, souvenirs, tips): INR 6,000
- Total: INR 2,16,600 for a couple
