[Fauji]

Hey Karthik,

Nice TL and excellent pictures. Thanks a ton for sharing. This is a place on my list for a long time. We had done bookings through SPORTS in 1995 and the whole programme was cancelled after which we have not been able to do it. Possibly next winter.

Couple of questions

a) SPORTS used to have a Island Hopping Itenerary which spread over a week wherein you spend the day on the island and night in ship. Is it still on? I haven't checked their website of late.

b) What are the pain points that we need to take care of?

c) How is their accomadation on the island? Ofcourse one does not have a choice though.

BTW, Bangaram island was leased to CGH Earth Group - the guys who run Coconut Lagoon and Swaswara - and they had their resorts which was open to Indians as well but it was prohibitively expensive. I understand that the licence for the group has been cancelled and the resort is no more functional.

[KarthikK]

Originally Posted by chennai-indian

One question - do you need to know swimming for snorkeling?

Not really required, but it is easier if you know to swim. The life jackets will keep you floating even if you want to drown *LoL* Most of the people who were snorkelling with us didn't know swimming, but after 10-15 minutes of struggling around, they started to settle down and enjoy.

You can wear the life jacket and dive right in, without thinking twice. Of course, the key is to remain a little calm in the water and not try to splash around and panic. All I can say is - you will manage fine, both the scuba diving and snorkelling can be done even without knowing swimming. In Scuba, if you know to swim, it would be good. Otherwise the instructor tows you around underwater so don't worry

Originally Posted by Fauji

Hey Karthik,

Nice TL and excellent pictures. Thanks a ton for sharing.

Thanks Fauji sir!

Couple of questions
a) SPORTS used to have a Island Hopping Itenerary which spread over a week wherein you spend the day on the island and night in ship. Is it still on? I haven't checked their website of late.

Oh yes, its very much on.

The Coral Reef and Samudram packages are the island hopping kind of tours. They do 2-3 islands one per day and return to cochin after 5 days.

Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports - Lakshadweep Tourism

b) What are the pain points that we need to take care of?

Pain points - none! Just go there and have fun!
jokes apart, the only thing you might have a problem is if you want to break off from the programme and do your own thing. They usually have a fixed schedule and we are forced to abide by that, especially in the island hopping packages. If you don't want the hopping type, the marine wealth awareness package spends 3-4 nights on the beach facing cottages. Try to get your package booked in that if you would prefer staying on the same island for all 5 days. The itinerary is taken care of brilliantly by SPORTS - all aspects - food, punctuality of the activity timings, upholding safety, and no one will charge a single penny from the time of your ship boarding till you come back to Cochin on day 5. Of course, Scuba diving was separately paid because it was managed by Lacadives and not by SPORTS.

c) How is their accomadation on the island? Ofcourse one does not have a choice though.

We didn't have a chance to stay in the cottages at Kadmat but we entered and had a look. The interiors are not very luxurious, they are just basic but there are air conditioned cottages just next to the beach. Especially in Kadmat, one point to remember is - go only for the AC cottages. Do not book the non-AC cottages. The non-AC ones are situated a little away from the main resort and are not on the beach at all. Perhaps the non-AC ones were constructed later as an after thought to expand the resort capacity.

BTW, Bangaram island was leased to CGH Earth Group - the guys who run Coconut Lagoon and Swaswara - and they had their resorts which was open to Indians as well but it was prohibitively expensive. I understand that the licence for the group has been cancelled and the resort is no more functional.

+1. Absolutely right. The prices are scary there in Bangaram. The resort is functional though now, it has been sold to someone else but the food and upkeep of the resort is apparently so-so for the price they charge.

Bangaram is not really good from what I hear. The only thing that differentiates it from the rest is it allows alcohol comsumption by the tourists while the rest of Lakshadweep islands don't. From an explorer's point of view, the best coral reefs are in Kadmat, Kavaratti, Agatti and Minicoy.

[rock18]

Stunning pictures,Nice and detailed write-up. It was a pleasure reading this entire travelogue.
My mind went back a few years when we went to andaman islands. It was the best place i have ever visited so far.
lakshadweep is surely on my wish list.

[ramkya1]

Katthik,

Those are some of the best beach shots I have seen and good story writing to compliment it with. Just finished it all in one go, thanks for sharing. Reminded of my recent Vietnam diving trip and beach visits there.

Can you please share costs for Scuba diving and Snorkeling trips? If you have split ups it would be useful to compare and know for future use.

--Ramky
=======

[deky]

This reminds me of my cruise ship days. Can you tell me what are the fascilities available on the ship for recreation?? Like any bars, casinos, dances, movies etc etc?

Any thing to do for the kids on board?

Regards

[gtonsing]

Excellent report KarthikK. It sure opened my eyes. Well detailed too. Now the nitty gritties you have not mentioned:
How much did the scuba dives and the snorkelling cost per hour?
Wasnt there option of motorized boating other than kayaking?
Cant you bring your own alcohol and comsume?

[nanduchitnis]

Rated 5 stars !!

Amazing photography to go with the story !

Glad you did scuba diving too. The underwater marine life is awesome in Lakshadweep.

Way back in 1976 or there of I had fabricated a underwater housing for a film SLR camera and had mounted a one man diving and photography expedition to Lakshadweep. I was forunate to get a sponsorship (money) from two ends. The Mumbai end was money the expedition end with logistical support was from the ADMINISTRATION of Lakshadweep.

For me this triplog is deja vu. Took me down memory lane.

I visited the same Islands as you did and stayed at Bangaram resort for free! That is where I did most of my underwater photography.

I am surprised that there are no new resorts in Lakshadweep!! The new rocking resorts are in Andamans.

Now that you have learned to scuba just order a good underwater cam and
go beserk in Andamans !

Your TL made my day Sir !!

Rgds

[rajesh1868]

Brilliant narrative and snaps. Never knew the beaches in Lakshadweep was this pristine clear. 5 star rated

[addyhemmige]

One more for my bucket list!!!!

Lovely travelogue Karthik. The pictures are awesome. The no parking picture was out of the world. It is good to see there are some pristine beaches left in the country. Hopefully, it will remain so for a very long time. And hopefully, I will get to see it in my lifetime.

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by KarthikK

Scuba diving was separately paid because it was managed by Lacadives and not by SPORTS.

Excellent Travellogue and outstanding pictures.

What is the cost that you paid for Scuba diving (All Inclusive of gear, guide etc).

A breakup would help a lot.

[bharani]

Very nice narration , i felt as if iam travelling and the photos are excellent.

[W.A.G.7]

Superb travelogue and pictures! There is still some part of the earth which is left almost untouched by the hand of man. Nice descriptions too, thanks for sharing. Will definitely go there some day. And yes, their packages are very affordable to say, I just checked their website.

[dingolphie]

got to go - absolutely. Amazing place and lovely travelogue. Has anyone tried this?
agatti island resorts

[contactme27]

Awesome pics. I guess you are the first one to post lakshadweep TV.

[amit_3306]

Amazing snaps of the crystal clear ,inviting blue waters. Its on my list to places to visit.
Can you throw some light on the cost of this entire trip (excluding Alleppy) ?