The
coral islands of Lakshadweep, a total of 36 of which 10 are
inhabited, have in recent years become one of the country's
popular tourist destinations. One of the very last places in
the world where little has changed in the face of rapid development.
The Lakshadweep lies in the Arabian Sea.
It is surrounded by lagoons and known for their pristine beauty.
Coconut trees abound, the beaches are silver crescents and the
sea is a crystal clear endless blueness. Tourism is restricted
to ensure that the delicate environment is not ecologically
damaged. Only five islands are open for tourism- four to domestic
tourists and one to international tourists. Bangaram,
the resort for international tourist, is otherwise uninhabited.
The four islands that are open for domestic tourism include Kavaratti, the administrative capital; Kalpeni with its rich coral and marine life; Kadmat with its very fine beach; and Minicoy which
has one of the largest lagoons in the archipelago. Visitors
can arrive here by ship from Kochi, enjoy a wide range of water
sports, explore marine life, and relax. Lakshadweep has an airstrip Agatti through which it is connected to Kochi
on a flight that originates from Chennai. Ship cruises are available
as packages designed for the tourists. You can go for Scuba
Diving - Laccadives (Kadmat). An eight to ten day course is
conducted by trained instructors and dive masters.
To introduce you to the wonders of life under the sea, untouched,
unspoilt with average visibility of 150ft. All equipment provided
by Laccadives. Swimming skills are mandatory and the minimum
age for diving is 14 years. A doctor's certificate clearing
the candidate to be fit for diving is necessary.
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