Islands

The AgattAgatti island is the gateway to Lakshadweep islands, a chain of little known islands, lying about 320 Km off the south west coast of India.Agatti Island is at a distance of 459 km (248 nautical miles) from Kochi and is located the west of Kavaratti Island. It lies between 10o 48 and 10o 53 N latitude and 72o 09 and 7o 13 E longitude, having an area of 3.84 sq km, with a maximum length of 10 km and width of km. It has a north-east, south-west trend with a long tail on the south. The lagoon area of this island is 17.50 sq km.

The climate of Agatti is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees.

In AGATTI coral growths and multicoloured coral fishes abount in its lagoons. Fishing is the most important industry of AGATTI which is perhaps the only island besides Minicoy getting surplus fish. Next to Fishing, Coir and Copra are the main industries . AGATTI is the AirPort stopover from Cochin and Goa on the way to Bangaram which can be seen on the northern horizon.Agatti Offers fully Furnished resorts managed by a private entrepreneur.The main attraction at the resorts is the water sport facilities .A medical centre with qualified Doctors functions at AGATTI.

Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands open to tourism. Visitors, however, are allowed to the Island under certain restrictions. They are required to obtain Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for entering or visiting the island. Entry Permit is issued based on the visitor having a confirmed place to stay.

Amini Island personifies what the Lakshadweep island group stand for, seclusion and a true tropical vacation experience. This small, oval shaped island is inhabited and is a small one at only around 3 kilometers long and over a kilometer wide.The Amini Island is at a distance of 407 km (220 nautical miles) from Kochi and located between Kavaratti Island in the south and Kadmat Island in the north. This island has an oval shape with a width of 1.20 km at the broadest point and a length of 2.70 km. This oval shaped island is 2-3 m above the mean sea level, with a depression at the centre.

The climate of Amini is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from 15th May to 15th September. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm at the lagoon.

Getting to Amini Island can be accomplished by hiring a boat from Agatti. Agatti Island is connected to the west coast of mainland India by air and it houses Lakshadweep’s domestic airport.

ANDROTH is the nearest island to the mainland and has an east-west orientation unlike other islands lying in the north-south direction.It is the Largest island in the Lakshadweep.Thick vegetation mainly coconut groves ,add to the beauty of the island.It was the first island to embrace ISLAM.This Andrott Island is the largest island with an area of 4.90 sq km, length of 4.66 km and a maximum width of 1.43 km. It lies in the east-west direction, between 10° 48 and 10° 50 N latitude and 73° 38 and 73° 42 E longitude. It is 119 km (64 nautical miles) away from Kavaratti and 293 km (158 nautical miles) away from Kochi. It is the only island having a very small lagoon area.

The climate of Androth is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from 15th May to 15th September. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm at the lagoon.

The Saint Ubaidullah,who is belived to have converted the people of islands to islam,died here and his tomb still remains in the Juma at Mosque. Religious preachers from here are held in high esteem.Fishing industry is well developed,next only to Minicoy and Agatti.Coir and Copra are the major products of the island.

The Jewel of the Lakshadeep, Bangaram island is uninhabited except for occasional visitors from the nearest island, Agatti, where the airport is situated. Bangaram presents a breathtaking spectacle of sparkling coral reefs, turquoise blue lagoons, silvery beachesand lush green coconut palms. All preserved in the State just as the first discoverers would have found them.

At Bangaram island, the more unhurried can simply laze on the silverbeaches, soak in the sun,listen to the sound of the waves and watch the swaying of thepalms.The bangaram island feels like it was designed pecifically for languid strolls, to watch the beach dances of hermit crabs and listen to the raucous music of theseabirds. But should you feel the need for a littlemore adventure on your holiday, Bangram island offers a whole new set of activities.The Bangaram Island Resortoffers you a variety of outdoor pursuits - scuba diving, snorkeling,deep sea fishing, kayaking and so on.

A bewitchingly beautiful and breath taking island in Lakshadweep .BANGARAM is uninhabited. It is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by coral reef.It has been ranked among the best gateways of the world.Here the sun,sand and surf in harmony casting a spell on the visitor.A matchless sence of well being takes over and one begins to discover the graceful fishes,porcupines ,parrots,pufferfishes,hermit crabs and sea birds on the vast 120 acres of lush coconut groves in BANGARAM.

Bitra island With an area of around 11 hectare, Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in Lakshadweep. The climate is warm throughout the year. The island is covered by thick brushwood and shrubs, and is rich in coconut palms. The people are mainly Muslims and they speak a local version of Keralas language, Malayalam. Bitra has the largest lagoon in Lakshadweep. This magnificent lagoon is on the north-eastern tip of a large coral ring reef. Coral growths and multi-colored fish are abundant in this lagoon. A shrine, dedicated to Malik Mulla - an old Arab saint who is said to have been buried there, is the main attraction. The shrine is a place of pilgrimage for other islanders. Bitra is situated 48 km west of Chetlat.

BITRA is the smallest inhabited island in the territory.Till 1835 BITRA was the breading ground for a number of sea birds,a favourite hunt of KILTAN and CHETLAT people.There is a small shrine of Malik Mulla,an old Arab Saint who is said to be have been burried here.The shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the people of other islands.Surprisingly the first permanent settler at BITRA was a women from CHETLAT who with her son set up a permanent settler at house around 1945. In the territory having a land area of 0.105 sq km. It has a length of 0.57 km and a width of 0.28 km at the broadest point. This is is at a distance of 483 km (261 nautical miles) from Kochi. The island is located at 11° 36 N I and 72° 11 E longitude. Though the land area is Small, its lagoon area is 45.61 sq km.

The main attraction of Bitra is the shrine of Malik Mulla, an Arab saint who is believed to have been buried here. It is a pilgrimage centre for followers of Islam. Full of corals and multi-coloured tropical fish, diving and snorkelling are the popular activities in the Bitra Island.

The Chetlat Island is 56 km on the north of the Amini and 432 km (233 nautical miles) away from Kochi. It lies between 11° 41 and 11° 43 N latitude and 72° 41 and 72° 43 E longitude having an area of 1.40 sq km. The island has 2.68 km length, 0.59 km breadth at the broadest point and has a lagoon of 1.60 sq km. Along the eastern side of the island, there is a wide belt of coral delta formed by storms, which broadens at the north and covers the whole southern end of the island.

The climate of Chetlat is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from 15th May to 15th September. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm at the lagoon.

The island looks like a garden of coconut. The other trees found in the island are cheerani Paruthi ( A species of cotton tree), jack fruit tree, Murunga (Drumstick). The world famous fish Tuna particularly the skip jack variety is found in large shoals in the deep seas around Chetlat. Whales and tortoises are also found in the vicinity of the island. In the island a few species of birds and animals are found. Rats are found here in very large numbers and constitute menace to the coconut plants. Cats and waterhen is also found in this island. There is no snake in Chetlat.

The Kadmat Island is long and narrow. It is only 0.57 km wide at the broadest point having maximum length of 11 km. It lies between 11° 10 and 11° 16 N latitude and 72° 45 and 72° 48 E longitude, having an area of 3.20 sq km. This island is at a distance of 407 km (220 nautical mil from Kochi and located between Amini Island in the south and Chetlat Island in the north. It has lagoon on the western side, measuring about 2 km at the broadest point with a total area of 37. sq km.

Kadmat is a summit of an underwater mountain where peace by their very nature to enjoy ones solitude. The blue water lagoon is encircling the invaluable wealth of colourful corals, coral habitats, the reef banks, unspoilt virgin beaches, the sun and the moon! The most outstanding strength of Kadmat island lies in its marine wealth. Surrounded on the eastern and western side by large lagoons of spectacular beauty, long and sandy beaches that makes the place one of the ideal tourist destinations in the region. The coral reef systems and reef banks are very unique from an ecological perspective. Kadmat - one of the most beautiful diving locations in India.

The climate of Kadmat is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm at the lagoon.

Kalpeni Islands, Koefaini as per Arab writers, is a group of three small islands and is considered as one of the most exquisite and impressing islands of Lakshadweep. The satellite islands Cheriyam, Pitti and Tilakkam are inhabited and many tourists are attracted towards this Kalpeni Islands to spend their holidays.

One of unique feature of this Island is the coral debris along the south eastern and eastern banks and this Island is encircled by a lagoon of fantastic splendor, which is highly rich in coral life. Kalpeni is famous for many water sport activities, adventurous tourists can venture out for interesting sports like snorkeling, reef walking, canoeing, kayaking and sailing yachts. This is a nice place to visit.

The Kalpeni Island lies between 10° 03 and 10° 07 N latitude and 73° 37 and 73° 39 E longitude, having on area of 2.79 sq km. The Islond is located at a distonce of 287 km (155 nautical miles) from Kochi and located south-east of Kavaratti Island and midway between Andrott and Minicoy. It has a very large lagoon measuring about 2.8 km at the point of maximum width. The Island is aligned in the north-south direction.

One of unique feature of this Island is the coral debris along the south eastern and eastern banks and this Island is encircled by a lagoon of fantastic splendor, which is highly rich in coral life. Kalpeni is most famous for Tip Beach, a white sandy beach with a shallow emerald colored lagoon and clean pristine water ideal for diving, snorkeling, even a casual afternoon dip. Tip Beach is located on the northern tip of the island, hence the name. Kayaking and reef walking are other activities the beach is famous for. Tilakkam, Pitti and Cheriyam islands make up the Kalpeni Island group and its also famous for a 37 meter tall lighthouse. Once at the top, one can stare at the beauty that is the Kalpeni Island group with its dense tree canopy and picturesque lagoon.Kalpeni is famous for many water sport activities, adventurous tourists can venture out for interesting sports like snorkeling, reef walking, canoeing, kayaking and sailing yachts. This is a nice place to visit.

Kavaratti is the most popular and most developed island in Lakshadweep. It is the administrative capital of Lakshadweep. It is blessed with an unparalleled natural beauty that is makes the island one among the most attractive. This island is blend of strong traditional culture and the existence of modern infrastructural amenities. Kavaratti lies in the Arabian Sea about 215 miles (345 km) west-southwest of Kozhikode (Calicut) and the Malabar Coast of southern India. Kavaratti is noted for the carved wooden pillarsand roofs of its mosques and the carved stones of its graveyards. The Island has an administrative building, a bank, numerous mosques, and an aquarium. This island is located between Agatti and Andrott islands of Lakshadweep and is about 6 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in breadth.

The Kavaratti Island is the headquarters of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. This island is at a distance of 404 km (218 nautical miles) from Kochi and is located between Agatti Island on the west and Andrott Island on the east. It lies between 10o 32 and 10o 35 N latitude and 72o 35 and 72o 40 E longitude, having an area of 4.22 sq km. Maximum length of the island is 5.8 km and width is 1.6 km. It has a lagoon having a length of about 6 km and an area of 4.96 sq km.

Kavarattis prime attraction is the Urja Mosque, a most important pilgrim centre of Muslims and the most beautiful shrine in Lakshdweep. Other attractions here are a captivating Aquarium with many varieties of corals and different species of beautiful colourful fish. This is an ideal spot for water sports.

Kiltan is one among the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep with a 2.20 sq. Kms area. It is located 11o-29 degree towards the north latitude, 73o-04 degree east longitude and is located 394 kms, from the main land Cochin. Kiltan lies 51 kms north-east of AMINI on the international trade route between the persian Gulf and Sri Lanka.The island is only on 3 kms.On the northern and southern ends of the island there is a high storm beach.The island is thick in flora and is fertile.The summer nights in Kiltan are warmer and it is usual for the people to sleep outside their homes,on the beaches.KIltan has a rich tradition of folk dances.The island is fertile and thickly planted. The heat of the summer is unbearable and the people prefer to sleep outside on the beaches in cubicles made of cadjan leaves. Several such cubicles can be seen lined up along the western beach during summer months.

The climate of Kiltan is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm at the lagoon.

Minicoy (known locally as Maliku) is the southernmost of the Lakshadweep archipelago, lying 175 km southwest of Suheli Par in the Cannanore Islands, from which they are separated from by the Nine Degree Channel. To the south lie the atolls of the Maldives, with their northernmost member of Ihavandiffulu being located 128 km to the south across the Eight Degree Channel (Vangaaru Channel).

The island of Minicoy forms the eastern and southern side to the atoll. Covering an area of 4.4 km², it is the second largest island of the Lakshadweep archipelago after Andrott, measuring 10.6 km in length and 0.82 km across at its widest point. The island is boomerang-shaped, with the northern end tapering towards Kodi Point as a thin ribbon of land only tens of meters across. In the southwest, northwest of Tunda Point, lies the small island of Wiringili (bottom-right in the image).The lagoon of Minicoy is shallow (averaging 4 m in depth) covering an area of 25 km². It is connected to the open sea by the Saleh Magu Channel in the northeast.Minicoy is crescent-shaped and more than 10kms in length. The lagoon is large and deep enough for small ships to enter. There is a small island at the northern tip of the main island known as Viringili which was used by the people for isolating small-pox patients in the past. Within the lagoon, the reef dries at low tide at the north-western entrance depositing marine collections.

The Minicoy Island is the southern-most island of Lakshadweep, situated at a distance of 398 km (215 nautical miles) south-west of Kochi between 8° 15 and 8° 20 N latitude and 73° 01 and 73° OS E longitude, having an area of 4.80 sq km. This island lies near the 9 0 Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping routes and is about 130 km from the northern-most island of Maldives.Minicoy is the only island in Lakshadweep having three large ship wrecks believed to be that of S.S Hoechst and other ships, within 8 mtrs depth on the island reef. It is believed that these ship wreck initiated construction of light house In 1885. These wrecks are virtual underwater museums and fish species found here are larger than average normal size found else where perhaps due to consumption of Ferrous of the wrecks.

Minicoy is an important tuna fishing centre and there is a tuna canning factory with an ice plant and cold storage. It has a number of scientific research stations like Radio Zone Ravine observatory and Tidal observatory. There is also a light house since 1885 in view of its strategic location.