Lakshadweep

Yes. Everyone who is not a native of the islands needs an <strong>entry permit</strong>, including Indian tourists, and this is unlike most of India. Tourist permits are issued by the Lakshadweep administration, through its e-Permit portal or its tourism society, SPORTS. Foreign nationals face additional restrictions: the rules limit foreign tourists to uninhabited islands plus Kadmat and Agatti, and only with a tourist visa. Rules and island eligibility change, so confirm the current position with the administration before booking anything non-refundable.

The permit is government permission to enter the islands — without it you cannot travel. Your flight or ship ticket is transport, your resort booking is accommodation, and dive fees are a separate operator charge. Check the administration's current process for how permit, transport and accommodation bookings are sequenced; arranging the trip through an operator that handles the permit is the simplest route.

Four to six nights, plus a buffer day. Transfers eat time and the appeal is stillness rather than sightseeing. Fewer than four nights risks losing most of the trip to a single weather delay.

For families with children who swim, yes — the lagoons are shallow and calm. But facilities are basic and a weather delay with small children is trying, so check medical access before you go. It suits self-sufficient families rather than those wanting a serviced holiday.

For couples who want seclusion, Bangaram — an uninhabited island with a beach-cottage resort — is hard to beat in India. Expect natural quiet rather than luxury service; this is not the Maldives resort model.

Simple. Accommodation is mainly beach cottages run by the administration's tourism society, plus a small number of private properties; expect comfortable rather than opulent. Prices vary by package and island, so ask for a quote for your dates.

Workable but unusual. Permits and transport are arranged around booked itineraries, and there is little social scene; dry-island rules limit nightlife. Solo divers do best joining an established dive centre.

Physically easy — the islands are flat and tiny — but logistically demanding: transfers involve boats and ships, and medical facilities are limited. Judge it on health rather than mobility, and ask about medical access before booking.

Diving is the main draw, with dive centres at Kavaratti, Kadmat and Bangaram; the administration cites visibility of 20 to 50 m at Kadmat. Snorkelling, kayaking, glass-bottom boats and deep-sea fishing fill the rest. There is no trekking, no mountains and no land-based adventure.

Heritage is thin and it is fair to say so — there is a lighthouse at Minicoy but no monumental history. Culture is largely Muslim and Malayalam-speaking, with Minicoy closer to Maldivian tradition. There is no wellness industry beyond simple resort massage.

Coconut, tuna and rice in almost everything — tuna curry, masala-fried fish and coconut-based preparations. Islands are dry, and alcohol is prohibited on inhabited islands. Buy coir products, tuna preserves and shell craft, though removing coral or protected shells is illegal.

Eid is the principal celebration across the islands, and Minicoy is known for the Lava dance. The festival calendar is quiet compared with the mainland — this is not a destination visited for events.

Underwater photography is the strength — clear water, reef and abundant marine life. Above water, lagoon colour and long empty beaches. Ask before photographing island residents.

Yes. The administration runs Lakshadweep Samudram, a five-day cruise on MV Kavaratti that visits Kavaratti, Kalpeni and Minicoy, with days ashore and nights on board. Separately, seven passenger ships sail between Kochi and the islands (14 to 18 hours) as transport rather than cruising. Between islands, movement is by boat.

Before: sort the permit, and book flights early for the season. During: expect weather to override plans, and respect dry-island and modest-dress conventions. After: Lakshadweep connects through Kochi, so build a Kerala leg either side rather than treating it as standalone.