Coral Islands of Lakshadweep

Tranquil lagoons in coral confines, aquamarine waters lapping white sandy shores, a plethora of marine animals in an exuberant burst of colours.

Lakshadweep, the coral islands are most definitely a paradise on earth – incomparable in beauty and solitude.

Some 300 kilometres off the coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep (literally a thousand islands) is a group of 12 atolls and 36 islands. Most of these islands are long and irregular with a lagoon enclosed by a coral reef. These lagoons abound in spectacular coral growth which in turn sports a diverse array of marine life.  

Numerous scuttling, creeping, burrowing worms, molluscs and crustaceans, brilliant, darting fish, colourful anemones and the five armed star fish and the interlinked, carnivorous, tentacled polyps covering the skeleton that forms the coral – all this in water not more than two or three meters deep!

Most of the islands are lush green with coconut groves and a select few shrubs and trees that can derive nutrients from the calcareous soil. Some islands like Pitti don’t sport even a blade of grass!

To ensure that the environment is not ecologically damaged, only a few islands are open for tourism.

A semi-government undertaking called The Society For Promotion of Recreational Tourism or SPORTS, runs and co-ordinates various tourism related activities.