Travel by Air- Helicopter service

The lakshadweep administration has its own helicopter for transporting sick people to the mainland. So when these helicopter returns from Kochi , they took passengers . But this is such a hectic procedure as we are not sure about when will the helicopter come and how many tickets are available.

just enquire at the Kochi office , if you are lucky , can enjoy helicopter safari..................

Happy Journey

Travel by Air- Kingfisher and Indian Airlines

Two Airlines are operation to Lakshadweep island from Kochi. Indian Airlines and Kingfisher. Only Agatti island has air strip ( air port) . So check the availabity of tickets from kochi to Agatti island in any of the two websites or travel sites and book it.

There are helicopter services availbale from Agatti to Kavaratti and Bitra island. But make sure that the helicopter services are available to you when u reach the Agatti island. You have to enquire at Kochi office of Lakshadweep administration . To be frank I do not have good idea about availability of helicopter tickets. The tarriffs regarding tickets are availbale from the official website of Lakshadweep administration.

During fair weather season -i.e from Septer end- you will get passengser vessels to other islands from Agatti.

Is there anything left to tell?

I believe i have described almost the necessary things to travel by ship.

There are different kind of ships and vessels . For inter island and island- mainland transportion. but it is meaningless to talk about it as most of these ship are under repair most time. So you check the web site of lakshadweep online ship booking or call Lakshadweep office regularly to book your tickets.

For a mainlander ( first timer) i will explain some more things.

You can visit the island by the sponsorship of any person living in the island and procedure for permit is desribed in the before Post. Let me say something more for a mainlander, which may not be known to him.

1. Liquor is prohibited in all island. You cannot carry liquor to island, or cannot use in the island.

2. There are 10 different inhabitated islands and the ships are charted in the way that each island gets its chance. So if you are not making a direct journey to the island you want, atleast make sure that you are booking tickets in a ship which will take the longest journey.

3. The islands are very small and inter-island distance is very long. There is hardly any entertainments in the island like movie halls or dance bar. So make sure that you are not a jolli type , enjoying personality. becuse , otherwise you will find island is too small for you.

Visiting as Government duty.

If you are visiting Lakshadweep islands on Government duty, You do not require permit to travel. Instead you will get tickets with the Government order you have with you. Also you will have reduced tickets rate like Islander.

But the remaining things for tickets n travelling remains as a traveller for 1st time.

READ THE POST.

TRAVELLING ISLAND FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR MORE DETAILS.

Tickets - Things to keep in mind. ( for non- toursits)

There are few things you have to keep in mind.

1. Tickets are available from Lakshadweep office, at Lakshadweep guest house, Gandhi nagar, near firestation, Kochi.

2. Tickets are available from Lakshadweeep office, Wellington Island , Kochi - only in the previous day of the journey. ( for the otherdays you approach Gandhinagar office)

In the case of emergency, You can approach , The secretary to the administrator in W.Island, or DD of Port in the same office.

Tickets are also available at Beypore, Calicut.

So buying ticket doesnot ensure you a journey...

there may be cancelling of ship due to unforeseen reasons....................

Happy Journey!

visiting as a tourist:

Tourism is promoted in lakshadweep, but the cost is very high. There are restrictions in night stay in island. The things are explained well in the websites of SPORTS Lakshadweep.

So if you are visiting island as a tourist...

only one thing .......

it is more like a charted tour programme..

Other things are explained well in websites.

if any queries please ask..

Visiting Lakshadweep for the first time ?( non - tourist)

If you are not a native of Lakshadweep islands, you cannot travel without prior permission from the Island authority. The entry to the island is restricted by Act. visit the official site of Lakshadweep island administration, then you will have necessary information about application for permit and other things. If you are coming as a tourist , in tourist package, this is not applicable, and that will be explained later.

So now I will explain you (step by step) what things You have to do .

1. you apply for a permit as per the application which can be downloaded ( online too) from official sites.

2. Once your varification is done ( which is mere formality) you have to visit the Lakshadweep office in Wellington Island ( near Firestation) and apply for a ticket in the prescribed format , just like a railway reservation form.

There are different tariffs for islander and Mainlander . Also there are different categories in ships ( which can be viewed in Lakshadweep ports online shipping website) .

3. You check for the availablity of ships for the dates you want. But keep in mind, unlike train or bus services, there is no specific fixed dates for ships. There is no advance of online booking . So for rough weather season - thats from June to sep - getting tickets is a tough job. ( there are ticket office in Gandhi nagar, Wellington Island, and Beypore in mainland)

You will have to call several times to the Kochi Office of Lakshadweep port. So Collect the phone number when you go for permit.

4. After a hard work, you will get tickets, with that You come to the passenger center which is also situated in Wellington Island. From there you and luggage will be transported to PORT .

so Happy Journey...