Want to see a natural aqaurium with
colourful fishes with naked eye ? then heed to Lakshadeep. These islands are
unpolluted and clean. No plastic, no paper, no garbage, no soft drink
bottles, no liqour bottles and no
cigarattes. Most important, no shopping. Its only between nature and you at
Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep is a perfect holiday
destination for those with a thirst for virgin islands. The crystal clear blue
water in the beaches, the corals and lagoons cannot be found elsewhere in
India. The beaches are flat and shallow and are like a big swimming pool. A
must see place for beach & lagoon lovers.
Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the
arabian sea off the coast of Kerala. It is a chain of coral islands. Lakshadweep
is situated 220 kms off Cochin in Kerala. They are scattered with some islands
located more than hundred kms between them.
Lakshadweep means one lakh islands. But,
there are only 36 islands having a total area of 32 sq. kilometers in
Lakshadweep. It is a Union Territory of India. Ten Islands are inhabited. They
are Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan
and Minicoy. Bangaram is an uninhabited island where tourists are permitted to
stay.
KAVARATTI ship
Kadmat Island
Water sports at Kadmat resort
Lakshadweep islands are unique in the
sense that they are formed by corals. They are the only coral reef islands
found in India. The islands are formed by corals reefs and atoll surrounded by
lagoons. The islands are very small with a width
of 500 metres and 10 kms in length. Kavaratti is the Administrative
Headquarters of the Union Territory.
The Society For Promotion of Nature
Tourism and Sports (SPORTS), a Government undertaking arranges package tours
for tourists from Cochin. There are various packages on different ships. The
popular package is the four day Samudram and five day Coral Reef.
Entry is restricted to the island and visitors need a permit to enter the
islands.
There are a few passenger ships which
sail from Cochin from October to May. One ship sails from Mangalore. M.V
Kavaratti is the best ship which carries 700 passengers and cargo. It has
luxurious rooms for tourists. It has a restaurant, party hall, helipad,
swimming pool and fantastic air conditioned rooms. The other ships are Arabian
Sea, Minicoy, Amindivi & Lakshadweep sea. The only airport is at Agatti
Island with flights operating from Cochin.
Fibre glass boats to watch corals under the sea
I travelled by the ship M.V Kavaratti on
the four day Samudram package. The ship departs in the afternoon from Cochin
port. The entire day is sailing until we reach Kadmat island next day in the
morning. It is a fantastic experience of watching the sunset sitting atop the
ship’s deck. The ship has five floors and the top deck has a helipad and
swimming pool. The breeze in the evening is soothing and refreshing. Its sad to
mention that there is no entertainment in the ship except for a recreation room
which has a TV set. But, the restaurant and food is good and room facilities
luxurious.
Next day early morning, I woke up to
watch the mesmerizing sunrise, the best sunrise of my life in the background of
Kadmat island. It’s a great moment to capture the sunrise on camera and sipping
tea on top of the ship’s deck. After breakfast, we were put on small boats to
reach the island as the small jetty cannot accommodate the large ship.
Kadmat island is 8 kms long & 500
metre wide at best. Coconut trees cover the entire island and provide natural
shade anywhere. The welcome drink at the posh resort on the island is tender
coconut water. The beach here has silver sands and crystal clear blue waters.
It’s a treat to the eye to watch the blue waters surrounded by lagoon. There is
a scuba diving centre here. Snorkeling is the best way in the sea here to watch
the corals. The sea is around 4 feet deep even at 100 mts from the beach. An
excellent way to enjoy snorkeling.
Glass bottomed boats here take tourists
near the lagoon to watch the corals. The underwater life can be seen sitting in
the fiber glass boats. Its like being in a fish aquarium and watching colorful
fishes. Its one more way to watch the underwater sea life without scuba diving.
Folk dance and songs were arranged after lunch. We departed to the ship in the
evening after tea. It was one more memorable evening on the ship’s deck
watching the sunset as we sailed towards Kalpeni island.
The lagoon has in store water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking.
Traditional dance at the resort
Kalpeni Island
One more night in the ship and we were
at Kapleni island in the morning on the third day of the tour. Kalpeni is
a similar island with plenty of coconut trees. A peculiar feature of
Kalpeni is coral debris along its beaches. It is believed that a violent storm
in 1847 threw up huge coral boulders along these shores. Water sports are best
enjoyed here. Kayaking in the silent waters was most memorable. We again
ventured into snorkeling to see the coral life underneath the sea. The resort
at Kapleni has excellent facilities for water sports. Boating, kayaking, snorkeling,
wind-surfing and other water sports are arranged here for tourists.
A small light house here offers breath
taking view of the island from the top.
There is a hosiery unit in Kalpeni
island where T-shirts are sold. A good buy to keep Laksadweep memories alive.
This is the only place where tourists can buy anything. There are only a few
tiny provision stores in the island. Lakshadweep offers only non-commercial
tourism. Even if you want to spend, there is no way to spend. Liquor is
strictly prohibited in the islands as well as on board the ship.
It was time to say good bye to the
virgin coral islands of Lakshadweep in the evening as we got back to the ship
and sailed towards Cochin.
Only MTNL and BSNL mobile networks have
connectivity here. So, say goodbye to mobile calls, internet and facebook when
you are at Lakshadweep.
Corals at the beach
What to do: Crystal clear blue waters can be seen only in Lakshadweep in India. The
place is a heaven for coral lovers and under water sea life. White sands with
coconut trees will challenge landscape photographers. There are no shops and
restaurants in Lakshadweep. So, forget shopping !
Best time to visit: October to mid February is the ideal time to
visit Lakshadweep as the winter weather is pleasant. The summer is very hot
here. Ships do not sail during the monsoon.
How to get there: SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) arranges
package tours originating from Cochin port by ship. There are flights from
Cochin to Lakshadweep. But, travel by ship is strongly recommended to view the beauty
of the islands at sea.
