Kavaratti island - Lakshadweep - India

Kavaratti-Island is a prime and the most famous tourist destination in Lakshadweep. This Island is enthralled with the everlasting natural beauty which has striking snow-white colored sands and tranquil lagoons that make it a perfect tourist spot for all those who love nature and its glory. This island is known for its pristine beauty which is covered with lush green coconut trees that attracts numerous travelers every year. Here, you can also enjoy dancing leaves of coconuts and make your entire journey just magnificent.

The administrative capital, Kavaratti is the most developed of the islands with the highest percentage of non-islanders as residents. 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.

Kavaratti also has an aquarium with several colourful species of fish. There is a glass bottom boat for viewing marine life and an array of remarkable coral formations that pro- vides a background to the lagoons and the islands within them. Some Water Sports like kayaking canoeing and snorkeling are available for tourists.

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

Kavaratti is the most developed and second most populated island out of the 36 islands of Lakshadweep.

The many lagoons around Kavaratti bring you in the company of star fish, sea cucumbers, and species of fish and other marine life. It is also known for the coconut palms that grow on the northern side of the island.

The lagoon city, Kavaratti is abundant in marine wealth. It attracts tourists towards itself for its water sports, sandy beaches, marine aquarium, paddle boats, inflatable motor boats, and glass bottom boats for watching marine life.

How to Reach

Travel to Kavaratti is not very easy. There are no direct links through air, road and rail. A tourist has to travel to Kochi in Kerala before reaching the islands of Lakshadweep. Water transport is a mode of transport that caters to Kavaratti and is most comfortable in provision of direct links to this island through the sea.

By Air

Agatti is the nearest airport at Lakshadweep and is located about 56 km from Kavaratti. It is well connected with mainland at Kochi (Cochin) from where all other airports in India are networked.

The flight from Cochin International Airport to Agatti Island at Lakshadweep takes one hour and thirty minutes approximately, and it operates six days a week.

By Ship

M.V Tipusultan, M.V. Bharatseema, M.V Aminidivi and M.V Minicoy are the passenger ships that operate from Cochin to the islands of Lakshadweep. These voyages take around 14 to 20 hours.

There are direct ships from Kochi to Agatti, Kavaratti, Kadmath, Amini.

Speed boats provide inter transportation facilities. These ships are comfortable and accommodate tourists of all classes, with A/C Deluxe Class with two berth cabins, A/C First Class with four berth cabins and Tourist Class with A/C seating.

By Train

Indian Railways do not provide their services to Lakshadweep islands. There is no train facility to reach Lakshadweep islands. Similarly, there is also no providence of any buses being plied.