| It's difficult to find areas not overly developed for | | | | The air temperature remains in the 80s and 90s, and |
| tourists these days. As soon as one is discovered, | | | | the water in the upper 70s to low 80s year round. All |
| the world finds out about it and before long, it has | | | | the other ingredients that make up a paradise |
| lost its charm. | | | | getaway are here too - white sandy beaches shaded |
| Fortunately, there are still a few places that are | | | | by coconut palms, aquamarine lagoons, sparkling coral |
| untouched by mass tourism, where you have a | | | | reefs and an abundance of colorful marine life. Food |
| chance to experience local life to the fullest. The | | | | and drink, however, is not a major reason to visit - |
| Lakshadweep Islands, off the Malabar Coast in | | | | the islands are not exactly known for their cuisine, |
| Kerala, India, is one of those places. The local | | | | and being 95% Muslim, alcohol is not permitted |
| government has made it their mission to keep it that | | | | (except for on Bangaram, and the Bangaram Island |
| way too, by promoting tourism only on islands that | | | | Resort boasts a well stocked bar). The main reason |
| can sustain it, and keeping it all as eco-conscious as | | | | people come to visit is the ocean and all activities |
| possible: high-rise buildings are banned, only bio toilets | | | | related thereto: scuba diving (the islands are |
| are allowed, rain water is collected to conserve fresh | | | | recognized as one of the best diving spots in the |
| water, electricity is supplied by solar power, and they | | | | world), snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and |
| even go so far as to encourage tourists (and locals) | | | | sunbathing. |
| to burn coconut husks instead of using pesticides to | | | | The westernmost island in the group, Agatti, is home |
| fight off mosquitoes and other pests (Bravo! I say. If | | | | to the only airport and one of the two resorts |
| only governments everywhere could follow suit). | | | | (Agatti Island Beach Resort) in Lakshadweep. It has |
| The islands, atolls and reefs of Lakshadweep are | | | | one of the most beautiful lagoons in the area, a |
| actually the mountaintops of a submarine volcanic | | | | museum of Lakshadweep's history, and a mosque |
| range, the Chagos-Laccadive Plateau (which also | | | | built in the 16th century. |
| includes the Maldives and Chagos). The name | | | | Bangaram is uninhabited, except for the staff and |
| suggests that there are many islands in the group | | | | guests at the aforementioned Bangaram Island |
| (the Malayalam word Lakshadweep translates to "a | | | | Resort. Spend an afternoon here snoozing on a |
| hundred thousand islands") but in reality, there are | | | | sandy beach to the soothing sound of the ocean, or, |
| only 36. Ten are inhabited, but, in keeping with the | | | | if you want more action, get in it. The diving here is |
| effort to limit tourism, foreign visitors are only | | | | fantastic and you can expect to see sharks, rays, |
| allowed on 3 of those: Bangaram, Agatti and Kadmat, | | | | moray eels, turtles and a myriad of colorful coral reef |
| and you will need a permit from the Indian | | | | fish - angels, clowns, butterflies, surgeons. If you're |
| Government to be able to visit. | | | | new to diving and want to give it a try, the diving |
| There are a couple of yacht charter companies on | | | | center at the resort offers courses. |
| the mainland, and you have the option of flying over | | | | Diving is also a popular pastime on Kadmat, the only |
| to Agatti Island (a 1.5 hour flight) from Cochin and | | | | island in the group with has lagoons on both sides. |
| meeting up with your boat and crew there, or | | | | There is a Water Sports Institute and Dive School |
| starting out from Cochin and sailing across, which | | | | here which, in addition to diving, offers windsurfing |
| takes around 3 days. Bareboat charters are hard to | | | | and parasailing and also rents out kayaks, pedal boats |
| find here, but skippered and crewed are readily | | | | and glass bottomed boats. Kadmat, which only allows |
| available. | | | | 48 tourists at a time, is becoming increasingly popular |
| Lakshadweep has a monsoon tropical climate, and | | | | with honeymooners looking for privacy in paradise. |
| the best (driest) time to visit is December to March. | | | | |