Thinking to Visit Lakshadweep and wondering what mode of transport to take? Well, here’s the answer!! CRUISE TO LAKSHADWEEP ! What would be a best way to visit Lakshadweep than Cruise? Lakshadweep Cruise has become a popular mode for transportation amongst the travellers aspiring to visit these magnificent Lakshadweep islands. So next time you are planning to treat your eyes with scenic excellence and wondering how to visit Lakshadweep, you’re in the right place.
Lakshadweep, one of world’s most spectacular tropical island systems, is tucked away at 220-440Kms off the Kerala Coast. The islands provide a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The distinctive feature of the Islands is its reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to. 4200 sq. kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq. kms. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopically and breathless. The lagoon offers glorious potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkelling and kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is quick turning into India’s one amongst its kind ‘Adventure sport – Nature Tourism’ location. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands.
The crystal clear water and also the plethoric marine life enhance the wonder of those islands. Against the immense expanse of the blue ocean, the island looks like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea. The islands are joined to the land by: – ship, helicopter, Air India, mechanized sailing wooden vessels. The islands like Agatti and Bangaram are often reached by ship and air from cochin. From Agatti, Kadmath and Kavaratti are linked by speed ferry. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourist.
The Lakshadweep cruise
Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with an estimated market of $29.4 billion, and over 19 million passengers carried worldwide as of 2011.
Smaller markets, such as the Asia-Pacific region, are generally serviced by older ships. These are displaced by new ships within the high-growth areas. Cruise could be a standard mode of transport for those that want to reach the Lakshadweep Islands. The fascinating cluster of about one hundred thousand islands, located in the placid waters of the Arabian Sea, can be accessed by yachts and cruises with myriad luxury provisions. These may be government-run or privately-operated. One can board a Lakshadweep Cruise from Kochi, Beypore, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Goa.
Best Time to Take a Cruise to Lakshadweep
The best time to visit Lakshadweep is between October and mid-May. Monsoons in Lakshadweep begin in the latter half of May and continue till late September, thereby making it difficult to reach the island group by sea. The temperature remains between 22° C and 36° C; perfect for adventures like surfing, swimming, canoeing, snorkelling, scuba diving, water skiing, and kayaking.
Varied options for picking up a Cruise
We are human beings. We need options to survive. We don’t stick for any one particular thing. So options should be there in cruises also correct? Basically there are 2 major types of Lakshadweep cruises, privately operated cruises & government run cruises.
Government run Lakshadweep cruise
A number of government-run cruises to Lakshadweep operate from Cochin. These ships will accommodate over 650 passengers. They’re comfy and provide a range of rooms. These embody AC Deluxe-class rooms with 2-berth cabins, AC first-class rooms with 4-berth cabins, and AC tourist-class rooms with seating arrangements. These Lakshadweep cruises are given with basic facilities, like the restaurant, snack bars, lounge, and video shows. Medical facilities with doctor-on-call also are provided. Kochi to Lakshadweep ship worth starts from INR2, 200 as far as a second class, 4 berth cabin in MV Kavaratti is concerned.
Time taken to reach Lakshadweep: A Lakshadweep cruise from Cochin takes something between fourteen and twenty hours.
Privately run Lakshadweep cruise
In addition to the varied government-run cruises, variety of personal operators run ships that often sail to Lakshadweep from varied Indian port cities like Mumbai and Panaji. Of these, Star Cruises are the foremost fashionable. However, lately, the quantity of private Lakshadweep cruises has been declining. It won’t be a surprise if you do not notice even one private cruise to Lakshadweep. However, it’s worthy to say about the past Lakshadweep cruises.
Super Star Libra: The Super Star Libra is go by a private-operator of cruises in Asia-Pacific – ‘Star Cruises’. The cruise boasts of deluxe rooms, excellent rooms, and tourist rooms. Dishes from Indian & Continental cuisines are served on board. Different on-board facilities embody swimming bath, Jacuzzi, casino, and dance hall. The luxury ship contains a capability of over one, 400 passengers. However, it does cruise to Lakshadweep from Bombay everyday.
MS Ocean Odyssey: The MS Ocean Odyssey may be a private Lakshadweep cruise operated by the ‘Indian Ocean Cruises’. Within the past, it’s served as a cruise to Lakshadweep from Goa.
The personal carrier contains a capability of 250 passengers.
Entry Permit to Lakshadweep
If you would like to visit this charming land, ensure you acquire the entry permit from the administrator of Lakshadweep. Indians will visit the islands freely whereas the permit for foreigners provides them access to solely a limited place like, Kadmat. International tourist resort of Bangaram and Agatti.
You can simply get this permit via your agent. The cost of an application is INR 50, which has to be submitted in cash to the administration office. The application form has to be submitted within 24 hours of arrival on the land. You can check out all the permit details to Lakshadweep here – How to get a police clearance certificate to visit Lakshadweep.
Tariff for a Lakshadweep Cruise
A 5D/4Ntrip in Lakshadweep cruise from Kochi costs around INR 15,000, comprehensive of taxes. This cost, however, doesn’t embody the costs of water sports. A whole list of fares of the cruises to Lakshadweep that are operated by the government will be found on the website of Lakshadweep tourism. The costs can vary relying upon the kind of space on cruise, hotel, variety of destinations coated, range of days, and also the city of departure. The Society for Promotion of Nature tourism and Sports, a society under Lakshadweep Administration, provides anexcess of packages for the island cluster.
Tips before you set off to Lakshadweep
- Try to haggle with sensible rates for all adventure activities offered by the resorts or kiosks on the islands.
- ATM’s are few, particularly on the islands that are inhabited.
- Carrying coral, dead or alive, or any kind of shells back from the islands is punishable offense.
- Permits are often organized by Sports or Travel agents before the departure & had to be shown at the airport before boarding the flight.
- Flights are operated solely 6 days every weeke. Monday to Saturday.
- The islands are underdeveloped, thus take whatever you need for the holiday, particularly medicines toiletries.
- Try to avoid wearing revealing dresses on islands inhabited by locals (Kavaratti, Kadmat & Agatti)
- There isn’t any party scene on any of the islands. If you’re going in teams, plan something & tell travel guides to set up a bonfire.
- Alcohol is prohibited on all islands.
- Resorts with AC & Non AC, standard & Deluxe rooms are offered on the islands of Kavaratti & Kadamat.
- Tourists are allowed only few islands of Lakshadweep, particularly Agatti, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Minicoy, Bangaram & Thinnakara.
These are the things you need to know about a Lakshadweep Cruise. When you a set off Lakshadweep book a Lakshadweep Cruise instead of a plane for an amazing expereince.
Book your trip to Lakshadweep here – Lakshadweep Tour Packages
Thanks! And thanks for sharing your great posts every week!
I heard about the Jalesh Cruise, is that better than the Government cruise?
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Wow….. it’s wonderful…….