As one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, plan a vacation India can be a little intimidating. With so much to discover from sweeping himalayan From mountains to the ornate architecture of major cities, it can be difficult to know where to start with this behemoth of a country.
With so much to see, the country is very popular with tourists and is expected to fully recover in 2023 after the difficult years of the pandemic.
“That’s what all the analysts who have studied the Asia-Pacific region are predicting India will be the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels and we expect that to happen in this calendar year 2023,” says Arvind Singh, Secretary of Tourism to the Government of India.
Many of the Tourism hotspots of the country are world famous, with a total of 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But if you’ve already experienced the hustle and bustle of Mumbai or posed outside Taj Mahal in Agra, then maybe it’s time to explore India’s amazing islands and archipelagos.
“We have beautiful islands, Lakshadweep, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. You have very good beaches with very good aspects and opportunities to see marine lifeincluding coral reefs and beautiful lagoons,” explains Singh.
How many islands does India have?
India has over 1,200 islands, some of which can be found in the Lakshadweep and Andaman island chains.
Lying off the southwest coast of Kerala The tropical archipelago of Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea is a stunning island paradise of sun-kissed beaches fringed by intricate coral reefs.
On the other side of India, in fact closer to Myanmar and Thailand, lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Here you will find hundreds of islands and islets with white sand beaches, and rainforests mangroves in abundance.
So if you dream of a tropical island vacation, which islands should you choose? Here’s our guide to two of India’s most beautiful island regions.
Which Lakshadweep Islands can I visit?
Comprised of 36 islands, 10 of which are inhabited, Lakshadweep is famous for its coral reefs, making it an ideal destination for water sports such as surfing Scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. However, if you want to visit Lakshadweep, you need to get a permit and foreign tourists are only allowed to visit three of them islands – Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat – while Indian nationals can visit all islands (but still need a permit).
But that should change in the future, as Arvind Singh explains. “We will be developing two islands in Lakshadweep, we have given a long term lease to a major leading hotel Developers and you will see a good resort coming up there over the next three years.
“So the islands will continue and should attract more travelers rich marine life they have to offer.”
What can I do on Agatti Island?
Luckily for tourists traveling in the near future, the three currently accessible islands are incredibly beautiful, with everything you would expect of one tropical island destination. Despite its small size – it is only three square kilometers – the island of Agatti has its own Airportmaking it easily accessible from Kerala or other parts of India.
Once you get there, be sure to enjoy the crystal clear water, especially when you enjoy it Scuba diving. If not, just relax and enjoy the slow pace of island life.
If Agatti is still not remote enough for you, head to Bangaram, the only uninhabited island resort in Lakshadweep. This tiny island is the ultimate Vacation on a lonely island. After dark, make your way to the beach to witness Phosphorescent plankton make the white sand shine.
What can I do in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
Separated from each other by the Ten Degree Channel, a body of water 150 kilometers wide, there are around 836 islets in these two island chains. Most of these are densely covered evergreen forest with rare flora and fauna.
If you want to avoid the monsoon season, the best time to go is October to May. Among the highlights of the islands rich in biodiversity are the mangrove forestscovering approximately 1136 square kilometers and the active mud volcano of Baratang Island.
Tourists looking for a little more excitement should stay in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands. This is the only island with an airport and connectivity ferries to all other surrounding islands.
