Lakshadweep island : Coral reef package. Review on Lakshadweep

I had a fantastic trip to lakshdweep island around 22nd oct 2010.  I Stay in Mumbai and had absolutely nobody to guide me on how to do booking and arrangements. and this review is for the the people like me who wants to go there but don't know how to do the booking and how is the tour arrenged.

I had 2 options lakshadweep or andaman, as both the places are fantastic and of same group. going to andaman, the travel from chennai to andaman it bit costly(9k two way) so for people like me who wants complete return of their money lakshadweep is best option. it's being coral reef island there is no sand to pollute sea water so water is very very transparent best for scuba diving.

Day 1: As we were supposed to report at 11 am at SPORT, Willington Island at 11 am. I catch a boat for the same from cochin Jetty(ticket 2/- RS J) they arranged vehicle to scanning the language(0.5 km away) and ship “Arebian Sea”(0.25km) from their office. Landed in ship at 12 pm. After an hour tour manager yassin took us for the lunch. At 3.15 Ship departed from the jetty and within an hour we were far way from the coast where we started seeing clean water.

Day 2: We(ship) reached to Kavaratti island at 7 am but after breakfast another small boat took us to the island. While moving we were amazed to see such a clean water. On reaching first island w were welcomed with coconut water and list of days activity was displayed. First was Glass-bottom ship tour. Which was very exciting and all of us could see live corals, fishes and sea huge tortoise very clearly. It was around an hour drive and was complete satisfactory. On return we were given free time to enjoy in sea, kayaks were provided at shore but number was insufficient as some of us had to wait until we get the chance. A room was provided to take a bath and change. Lunch on the shore was OK. After some rest a local kids Dance was arranged. At around 5.00 pm we left for the main ship. And headed for island kinicoy.

Day 3: At 7 am we reached to minicoy after breakfast at 9.30 am we reached on minicoy. Boat journey here was for 45 minutes. I enjoyed a lot on this island. From jetty a mini bus took us to our resort. Where also we were welcomed by coconut water, and immediately we were taken to another small island(very nearby) for snorkeling. Time spend there was most wonderful in this whole trip. Live corals and many colorful fishes were just beside us. We all wanted to spend more time here but it was not allowed. We were taken to some other place for lunch. From there a village visit was arranged by another tour manager from minicoy(she was a nice person too). By 5.30 pm we were taken to main ship(which was too early I think). And we headed to our last visit to island Kadmat.

Day 4:As usual ship reached island at 7 am but we reached island by 10 am. From jetty we were taken to a resort by minibus. Welcomed by coconut water. And it started raining L it was disappointing a bit as I wanted to do scuba diving here but there was no sunlight at all. The only sport available there was kayaking to which we were not much interested at that time. Snorkeling glasses were not available there so I had to pay 300/- RS to their assistant to get his personal snorkeling glass. After lunch there we relaxed on beach. Later when rain was stopped we were taken to visit some of the special area on the beach. We visited a coconut oil and powder factory. Also taken to factory of preparing rope from coconut Coir fibers. We were taken on ship at 6.30 pm

Day 5:We reached Cochin Willington Island at 9am and tour was ended successfully.

Suggestions: for tourist

1)      Carry sun protection cream, umbrella as rain can come any time.

2)      Sandals: while snorkeling one must ware it as corals are sharp and may cut your feet. If Water flow is high at lagoon normal slippers wouldn’t help.

3)      Make 2 separate bags one small carry bag to be carried everyday with normal capacity to carry one pair of cloths, towel, camera, cap, etc.

4)      May take your own swimming glasses that will be helpful if snorkeling glasses are no available.

5)      Too much of clothing didn’t help me at all, many dresses I bring home without even using. Take less cloths and extra luggage.

6)      Try to get underwater camera case for your camera. There is different world below sea water.

Suggestions: for tour-organizers

1)      WC in ship always had a bad odor try cleaning it on regular basis.

2)      Similarly canteen also had too much of strong bad odor which caused me skipping my meals.

3)      No sufficient gears were available like kayak, snorkeling glasses any other sports.

4)      Scuba diving was just not available on kavaratti and minicoy(I doubt on kadmat) which shouldn’t be the case.

5)      Many other water sports you claim was not seen/available/offered at any of these islands.

Booking and details: After reading reviews and info on net I did my booking from Mr. Sachin by contacting him on sachinc15nov@gmail.com. I paid 12, 600/- to him(I recommend this) for personal assistance detail info and mass booking you can contact him on 022-21631323.

Summary:

Overall entire tour was excellent and well managed. The beauty of coral reefs, colorful fishes, 100% clean water, good food on shore made this trip outstanding from any other place. All staff in the tour are very helpful and cooperative. Three classes(Bunk, second class and First class) are very much comfortable as per cost that we pay. 12, 312/- of 5 days I bunk was very comfortable as we had dormitory sleeping agreements, whole day we were on island so night stay in ship was very much comfortable in adjustable AC. This new ship arebian sea is much faster than any old ships so it’s a great experience.

for more photos you can visit my orkut profile umeshdaundkar@gmail.com