LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS, LACCADIVE, INDIA

The Lakshadweep Island group, or Laccadives as they were known, is made up of 36 largely uninhabited coral islands, with a total geographical area of 32 sq. Km. They lie between 220 to 440 Km. away from the coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. A geographical extension of the Maldives, but without the crowds, each island has had very little influence from the outside world. In fact the charm of the Lakshadweep lies in their remoteness, their untouched beauty and the fact that there is relatively little tourism.

Of the ten inhabited islands only two, Bangaram and Kadmat , are open to visitors.

BANGARAM ISLAND RESORT

The beautiful tear-drop shaped island of Bangaram is one of the only islands open to foreign tourists, besides a few others where day visits are permited. From the moment you set foot on the blinding, soft, white sand, Bangaram charms you with its coconut canopies, colourful boats and exotic natural beauty, and during the night phosphorescent plankton washed ashore on the coral sands impart a bluish glow to the beach, to enchanting effect. Two small islands of Thinnakara and Parali also lie close to Bangaram enclosed by the same lagoon and make excellent excursion points.

The Bangaram Island Resort consists of 30 simple chalet-style rooms that are tastefully and comfortably furnished with cane furniture, twin beds, ceiling fans, stocked fridges and private shower (cold water only). The dining hut serves buffet meals which are normally a mixture of local and continental cuisine, with fresh fish and tropical fruit. Next-door is the beach bar open for most of the day, serving a reasonably wide range of spirits, wine and beer. Yoga classes and Ayurvedic massages are available.

THE SCUBA DIVING IN LACCADIVE

The Lakshadweep are geographically similar to the Maldives, but the fundamental difference is that the area is still virtually unexplored, so you won’t find the crowds that flock to the Maldives. The reefs around Bangaram were affected by El Nino, but there are signs of regeneration and the fish life is abundant and spectacular. Diving around the island is generally within the 20-30m range and currents are slight so a good spot for all levels.

Popular dive spots off Bangaram include Manta Point and the wreck of the Princess Royal. There is an abundance of marine life and manta rays, eagle rays, dolphins and moray eels are all common sights, as well as groupers, Asian dolphins, Leopard Moray Eels, frogfish, manyan, octopus and turtles..

Visibility in season is usually very good and the best time to visit Bangaram is from November to March. You can visit outside of this time but the resort is closed from 1st May - 30th September during the monsoon season. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about the reefs in the area and are actively promoting conservation in the area.

WHAT TO DO NEXT?