Approximately 450 kilometers off the Western coast of Kerala, the Lakshadweep islands are a set of 36 coral islands – part of the Maldivian Archipelago. They maintain an identity that is still tradition bound and a culture that has evolved from being linked to the seas around them.

Only 10 islands are inhabited. Out of these only the islands of Kadmat, Agatti, Bangaram, Minicoy and Kavaratti are open to domestic visitors while International visitors are allowed on all the above islands save Kavaratti.

The local community is entirely Islamic and is primarily fisher folk. Coconuts and fish still dominate conversations here. A controlled effort is underway to introduce them to the outside world and vice-versa. Visitors are controlled by the number of tourists allowed on any island at a given time and entry permits are processed through selected channels. Total prohibition on alcohol is observed here except for the Bangaram resort which boasts of the only beach bar in Lakshadweep. Cellular phones end up as fancy gizmos on most islands; the Net is what is used for fishing and the Satellite TV invasion – well it didn’t invade Lakshadweep! Almost all supplies come from the mainland on cargo ships that now regularly ply the waters. All inhabited islands have hospitals and a helicopter is based throughout the year for medical evacuations. The nearest Decompression facility is at the Naval Base at Cochin.

Apart from two private resorts at Bangaram and Agatti, all other resorts are administered by the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports (SPORTS) in synch with the Department of Tourism, Lakshadweep.