Chalo Lakshadweep, but first, here's how to reach this pristine island

With everyone’s attention on Lakshadweep right now, many of us are planning a sweet getaway to this pristine island. Here's what you need to know when it comes to Lakshadweep. Reaching this island destination is not all breezy, but with a little effort, once you reach this stunning destination, you will see that it was all worth it.

Lakshadweep, as we know now, was given the status of a Union Territory in 1956, and was earlier known as Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands. This group of islands was renamed as Lakshadweep in 1973. With a total of 36 islands, Lakshadweep is one of the least visited destinations in India. It's all about pristine white sandy beaches, gorgeous blue waters, stunning coral reefs and a peaceful and quiet holiday in Lakshadweep.



Up until recently, when we talked about exotic island holidays in India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands was the only place on our minds. But times are changing.



Fun fact: Out of 36 islands in Lakshadweep, only 10 are inhabited. Lakshadweep is also India’s smallest Union Territory .


Here are some of the key things to keep in mind before packing your bags for Lakshadweep:

• The entry to the Lakshadweep Islands is restricted. An entry permit issued by the Lakshadweep Administration is required to visit the island.

Also read: Tarkarli: A magical Konkan beauty perfect for adventure seekers!

• Visit Lakshadweep’s official website to get the online clearance certificate, which you will need to get verified from your local police station. Along with this document, keep your ID and three passport-size photographs handy.

• Next step is to download the entry permit from the official website or get the permit from the Lakshadweep Administrative Office at Willingdon Island in Kochi, Kerala. Remember, Kochi is the gateway to Lakshadweep.

• Once you reach Lakshadweep, submit this permit to the station house officer in Lakshadweep.

Also read: World’s most incredible man-made beaches

• Flights and ships to Lakshadweep are available from Kochi, Kerala. If you are planning to go by air, there are flights to Agatti six days a week. Agatti has the island’s only airstrip. From Agatti, boats are easily available for nearby islands like Kavaratti and Kadmat. It's important to remember that the aircrafts for Lakshadweep are usually small. So it's better if you pack light. Smaller aircrafts also means lesser carrying capacity.

• If you are planning to sail to Lakshadweep from Kochi, there are seven passenger ships – MV Kavaratti, MV Minicoy, MV Amindivi, MV Corals, MV Lagoon, MV Lakshadweep Sea, and MV Arabian Sea. The journey takes about 14-18 hours.