As I sit on the shores of the silver sandy beaches of a teeny-weeny island dotted in the Arabian Sea, cool breeze ruffles my hair, school of fishes dances around my feet, waves tickle my toes and recedes, and in front of me is a sea painted in a dreamy shade of blue.
Guess what? We are not at Maldives, Seychelles or Mauritius, but our very own India. We are at Lakshadweep Islands — an archipelago of one lakh islands scattered all around like a gem in the exquisite ocean. Picturesque landscape and easy charm of the island gets you hooked the moment you set foot on the island.
We are here for a couple of days for a detox vacation and our island life starts with waking up to the sound of waves lapping in front of our cottage, walking along the beach with our feet digging into the sand, sleeping under starry skies, devouring on seafood, snorkeling and chasing school of fishes, and whiling away our time in the hammock doing nothing.
At Lakshadweep, tourists are allowed to visit only a few islands. Kavaratti, Minicoy, Kadmat, and Kalpeni are the most visited islands if you are on a cruise package. By air — Agatti, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Kadamat or Kavaratti are the ones, people generally opt to stay.
We zeroed down on Thinnakara and Bangaram for our stay, as they are secluded and are known for the beautiful lagoons and amazing marine life. The resorts here are government run so they are not the best and not even worth the money you pay for. The lack of infrastructure and basic amenities is a bit of a bummer here but, we have no doubt that if the island comes under the radar of tourism, it has all the potential to give a tough competition to any of the countries mentioned above.
The beauty here is so untamed and rugged.
Before we venture more into the nitty-gritty of planning and stuff. Let us help you with a quick packing guide if you are planning to stay in any one of the islands in near future.
Packing For Lakshadweep
Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50 or higher: No brainer. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to wear a high SPF sunscreen while at Lakshadweep. The sun’s rays are exceptionally harsh. You cannot get out in the sun without slathering yourself with loads of this. Apply religiously every 2-3 hours.
We were tan like hell the very first day itself as we didn’t put any on.
Hat : Wider the better to keep you safe from the sun.
Sunglasses : Polarized one preferably as the sunlight in daytime can be blinding enough.
Liquid Soap & Sanitizer: The resorts here are mostly government-run and they offer soap in bathrooms and dining areas. A travel-size pack of hand sanitizer will go a long way.
Refreshing Wet Tissues: You will thank us later for this. The sun in this part is ruthless and even after slathering sunscreen, the skin burns. Refreshing wet tissues will be your ultimate savior.
Face Mist: This is our must-pack itinerary for every tropical vacation. Just spray on your hand and face at regular intervals.
• • • DRESS • • •
Men — T-shirts, shorts, swimwear, shirts and one pair of long pants preferably cotton and breathable fabric.
Women — Shirts, Midi/Mini Dresses, lightweight tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, sarong
Swim Wear: Pack a load as there is no dearth of water activities on the island. Starting from scuba diving to snorkeling, parasailing to kayaking.
Kimono or Cover-up: You don’t need a reason for this. Throw in some bright colorful ones to rock your look.
Flip Flop / Beach Slipper: Most of the days you will spend running on the sand.
Lightweight backpack / Beach Bag: Beach bag and/or lightweight backpack for carrying snacks, water, camera, and other stuff whilst on the island hopping trips.
Beach Towel: I know packing towels is a torture. But government resorts and hygiene goes a bit in opposite directions. So, it is better to pack one unless and until if you don’t mind using towels with holes or stains in them 😉
• • • ESSENTIALS • • •
Medical Kit: Take an emergency stash of things to treat motion sickness, sea sickness, stomach ache, colds, and headaches.
Toiletries: All of them. Don’t forget to pack your favorite shampoo, conditioners, body wash, razor, face wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, hairbrush, and anything else you might need.
Food/ Snacks: There is nothing else apart from the meals served on the island. So, do carry some snacks with you if you love munching all the time. Maybe some dry fruits mix, chocolates if you like or bring some energy bars to have on hand.
Mosquito Repellent: As the sun sets, you will find loads of unwanted guest. So, if you don’t want to get bitten, pack one for evening walks or star-gazing in the night.
• • • ELECTRONICS • • •
Books/Kindle: You will have enough time on the island to finish reading your favorite books or the ones you always wanted to read.
iPod: Perfect for long idle days or lazing around beaches
Laptop: There is no Wi-Fi on the island but if you want to catch up some TV series or movies. Don’t forget to pack your laptop.
Flashlight: For navigating your way back to the room after dinner.
Power Bank: You need it for sure, most of the islands are a bit underdeveloped and power cut is a common thing here. So, take your power bank with you to charge your phones and camera whenever you need.
Waterproof Camera: Don’t miss to carry a waterproof camera with you to capture all the memories of snorkeling with sea turtles, starfish, jellyfish and loads of colorful fishes. A MUST PACK for the trip.
Camera: No reason for that.
We highly recommend carrying all these items on you than to leave them at home!
Check out the detailed itinerary of our trip – HERE.
NOTE
If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email: thetalesofatraveler@gmail.com)
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nice stunning pics.
Thank you so very much 🙂
Great photographs, and I’ll surely visit Lakshadweep soon! Thanks for the motivation. Lets connect over Instagram at @sigmabond ?
It is a beautiful corner, definitely deserves a visit 🙂 Thanks a lot for stopping by and will surely check your Instagram feed 🙂
Very helpful post. I will surely keep all this in mind ?
Thanks a lot Saumya 🙂 hope it helps to prepare you for your Lakshadweep trip incase you are planning in near future 🙂
Awesome pics 🙂 Thanks for the informative post.
Thanks a lot Rupam… glad you find the post useful 🙂
The gorgeous pictures took my heart away. The yellow skirt looks lovely. And it makes a very helpful post because most of the time I forget something or the other.
Mosquito repellent is important. I have been packing it for couple of my trips now.
Thank you so much sweetheart 🙂 🙂 Btw it is a dress not a skirt … 🙂
We miss things all the time so we thought a packing checklist for each destination is a good idea to share
Will read some other time when I am ready to go to Lakshadweep…I was too dazzled by the gorgeous pictures of both of you…and the island
Thoda so padh lete mehnat kiya hai maine likhney mein 😛 😛
Thank you so much for the compliments 🙂 🙂 and coming to island it is outrageously stunning
Beautiful pictures of you and Sam… GoPro can help as waterproof camera… Btb isn’t the list generic to any hot beach destination? Anything particular for Lakshadweep not applicable for elsewhere?
Thanks a lot Shrini 🙂 … As the islands are underdeveloped with very few/no shops at all, it is very difficult to get anything you want.
Especially you can’t miss toiletries ( ALL of them) , power bank, mosquito repellent, medical kit and any kinda food to munch — If you miss any, you have to survive on clinic plus shampoo and lux soap for the entire trip 😛
Forget conditioner or sunscreen lotion 😀 Face mist is a new thing for them and for islands like Bangaram, you have to entirely depend on resort for food i.e – breakfast, lunch, evening tea & dinner 🙂 🙂 No other demands are entertained 😉
Fantastic snaps !! I am planning a vacation, sometime later this year.
I read that you stayed in Thinnakara and Bangaram. Can you share any info on accommodation in Kadmat?
Another thing.. Is the process of acquiring permit to visit hassle-free?
Fantastic snaps !! I am planning a vacation, sometime later this year.
I read that you stayed in Thinnakara and Bangaram. Can you share any info on accommodation in Kadmat?
Another query.. Is the process of acquiring permit to visit hassle-free?
Thank you so much for liking our post and stopping by to comment 🙂
Coming to your queries, you can easily get the permit, no hassle there 🙂 and I will be soon posting 2 other posts which will cover all your queries.
you can also shoot an email incase you have any other doubts 🙂
Cheers !!
Beautiful pictures…..hoping to get there soon.
Thanks a bunch Ami 🙂 🙂 It’s a stunning place .. Maldives san luxury you can say, even much better than Maldives 🙂
Hey Swati what about the tourist permit to the islands? What is required?
You just have to book via SPORTS or any other authorized travel agent. They will take care of the permit. Without permit you are not even allowed to board the flight from Kochi .. I will be sharing a detailed post next week 🙂 🙂
Hello Swati,
Your blog is absolutely beautiful and seems like Lakshwadeep is a great place for a honeymoon.
I am planning to visit in the month of June this year.
I am planning for a week to stay, could you please send me the detailed itinerary of where you stayed(hotels, resorts), any agent through which you booked the internal transport, ferry transfer, the contact number would be useful
Regards,
Vaman
Hi Vaman,
We were there for 4 days and we stayed at Bangaram Island and Thinnakara island. You can find all the details here – http://thetalesofatraveler.com/lakshadweep-itinerary-places-visit/
We booked our stay via SPORTS ( Lakshadweep’s official tourism site ) and flights on our own.
You can visit Kadmat and other islands too, transfer between islands can be taken care by the SPORTS itself. You can reach out to them via email or phone. They can share all the details and help you with the permit and bookings as well.
Do share a pic with us post your trip, would love to add it to our Feedback section 🙂
Stunning pictures Swati. Hoping to visit this place someday. 🙂
Thank you so much Soumya … do plan a trip to Lakshadweep 🙂
Congratulations to you Swati & Sam for being Lakshadweep. Your post is really nice & it show wonderful sound about Lakshadweep 🙂
Beautiful pics and nice post ?
Really soothing pictures.All time while reading post,I was just watching these photos.Thank you
Thanks a lot Roopa for stopping by and liking our post ?? Lakshadweep is an outrageously stunning place
What a lovely place.I can’t imagine .Look like a foreign country.I surely visit Lakshadweep .
This is really helpful. Photos are awesome.
Thanks a ton Ankur, Lakshadweep is a beautiful place 🙂
These are certainly great pictures shot from with equally wonderful angle – all of them. Lakshadweep has been added to my bucketlist, thanks to Swati & Sam both 🙂
Gorgeous place and pictures. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
This is a lovely post. Informative and a really good guide for all of us, especially when the time comes to pack. Saving this for future use 🙂
What stunning Pics here 🙂 totally mesmerizing ones :0
Very informative post, and lot of good insights. This website is helping me plan better on the stay and “must do” activities.
How much does it typically cost for the water sports activities on the islands? If there are no ATMs, we would have to carry all cash only!