| LAKSHADWEEP One of world's most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep is tucked away at 220-440Kms off the Kerala Coast. The islands offer a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The unique feature of the Islands is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to. 4200 sq. kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq. kms.The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking. The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is fast becoming India's one of its kind “Adventure sport - Nature Tourism” location.Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these islands. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the island look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea. The islands are linked to the mainland by:- ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and mechanized sailing wooden vessels. The islands like Agatti and Bangaram can be reached by ship and air from Cochin. From Agatti, Kadmat and Kavaratti are linked by speed ferry. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists. Lakshadweep was given the National Eco-Tourism award 1997 
KAVARATTI
Fifty two mosques are spread out over the island, the most beautiful being the Ujra mosque. A well within its precincts is believed to contain water of curative powers. The Ujra mosque has an ornately carved ceiling, said to have been carved from a piece of driftwood. The aquarium with tropical fish and corals, the lake nearby and the tombs are the other sights. BANGARAM
Bangaram, in the Lakshadweep, is a breathtakingly beautiful island quite out of this world. Tear drop shaped, it is encircled by a continuous halo of creamy sand. There are three uninhabited islands in the same atoll consisting of Tirmakara, Parali-I, Parali- II. Bangaram is surrounded by one of the largest and safest lagoons with its calms, unimaginable blue-green waters. The exquisite coral formations, including the black coral formations and the large variety of coral fish: the angel, the clown, the butterfly, the surgeon, the sweetlip, the snappers, the groupers, not to mention the abundance of the awesome, but harmless sharks, manta rays, sting rays, moray eels (morena) and turtles, make diving here an addictive experience. There is a diving school in Bangaram | | 
HOW TO REACH LAKSHADWEEP Lakshadweep Island can be reached by ships and flights operated from Kochi. For all tourist purposes Kochi is the gate way to Lakshadweep. Agatti and Bangaram islands can be reached by flight from Kochi. Indian Airlines and Kingfisher airlines operate flights from Kochi. Onward flights from Kochi are available to most of the airports in India and abroad. Airstrip is there in Agatti island only. From Agatti boats are available to Kavaratti and Kadmat during fair season October to May. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Bangaram Island Resort during monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the year. The flight from Cochin to Agatti takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
WATERSPORTS
The vast expanses of the shallow lagoons provide an ideal setting for water sports enthusiasts. All the islands included in the various tourist packages offer kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, sail boats, wind surfers, snorkels sets glass-bottomed boats and other facilities to tourists who wish to indulge in water sports in the unpolluted lagoons. Kadmat, Kavaratti and Bangaram have facilities for scuba diving. Deep-sea fishing buffs can pursue big game fishing. Barracuda, Sail Fish, Yellow Fin Tuna, Triveli and sharks are abundant in the seas around Lakshadweep. KADMAT A particularly fine lagoon, of even depth, and an endless shoreline, perfect for swimming, makes Kadamat a Haven of solitude. The tourist huts are situated some distance away from habitation. Water sports facilities are available and a water sports institute has been set up. KALPENI Kalpeni has three uninhabited, satellite islands, all surrounded by an immense lagoon of spectacular beauty. Sunlight on the water causes it to sparkle and flash like a million aquamarines. Koomel, the gently curving bay where the tourist facilities are located, directly overlooks Pitti and Tialkam, two of the islands. This lagoon is particularly rich in coral life. MINICOY Farthest from Kavaratti island, 200 km away to the south and also nearest to the Maldives. Minicoy has a lighthouse built by the British approximately a hundred years ago. Visitors are allowed up, right to the very top. One of the largest in Lakshadweep, Minicoy has a culture very different from any of the other islands- dress, language, food differs, for Minicoy has a cluster of 9 villages, which are called Athinis. | | LOCATION
Lakshadweep islands lie about 220 to 440 kms off the Kerala coast between 8° and 12° North Latitudes and 71° and 74° East Longitudes. The islands are connected to mainland by passenger ships and flights operated from Kochi. The airport is in Agatti and facilities exist for helicopter transfer to Kavaratti Island. The remoteness and pristine beauty of these islands combined with the solitude and peace provided by the verdant environment offer an ideal getaway for holidaymakers. 
CLIMATE Lakshadweep enjoys a pleasant tropical climate with summer temperatures ranging from 22° C to 33° C and winter temperatures from 20° C to 32° C. Southwest monsoons from June to September bring plenty of rainfall to the islands. Months from October to may are pleasant with slight rise in temperature during March and April. Light cotton tropical clothes are ideal throughout the year. A rain coat will come in handy during the monsoons. Cool sea breeze and abundant shade provided by the canopy of coconut palms make the climate pleasant even during peak summer. Lakshadweep is the tiniest Union Territory of India and is its only coral island chain. This archipelago consists of 36 islands, 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. The islands have a total area of 32 sq.kms and the lagoons are enclosed by the atolls. AGATTI Agatti is the most westerly island in the territory. It lies on the eastern arc of the coral shoal and is little over 5.6kms in length and about one thousand metres wide at the broadest point. Agatti possesses a singularly beautiful lagoon on the western side. In th translucent turquoise green water can be seen multi coloured fishes and coral growth. The many gaps in the reef cause the ripples on the beach to be very strong for coir-soaking. Husks are put in fresh water pots which provide a splendid abode for anopheles larva. Mosquitoes are rare. This is because of abundant small species of fresh water carp which live upon the larva. The island is ideal for fishing. Coral growths and mulitcoloured coral fishes abound in this lagoon. Because of the depth and ripples, it is impossible for the inhabitants to ret coir in the lagoon as done in other islands. It also does considerable damage to the western beach by way of erosion. Habitation is in the northern portion which is broad and well protected. The southern portion is narrow about three kilometres long with an average breadth of 100 metres. The Island has been fully planted with coconuts.
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