Lakshadweep or Andaman Islands: Where to Go for Next Island Vacation
India is a land of diverse landscapes and topography. From the freezing mountains of the Himalayas in the north to the golden Thar desert in the northwest. And from plateaus to beaches to islands, the physical layout of India is impressive. Speaking of the two island groups: the Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep, located in the eastern and southern-western coast of India, are beautiful spots to explore. They are steadily becoming the first choice of avid beach lovers. While Andaman Islands are more developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, offering vibrant island experiences. Lakshadweep, on the other hand, is on its way to become the next best island vacation destination for both local and international tourists.
If you’re looking for an island escapade and want to visit places with cerulean-coded waters, clean white beaches, and dense foliage, consider Andamans or Lakshadweep. But the burning question is: what to choose between these two archipelagos? To help you choose the right destination, we need to assess both islands on several criteria. And then conclude which one would be the best choice for you.
Location & Physical Features:
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Andaman Islands |
The Andaman Islands are a group of islands between the Bay of Bengal to the west and the Andaman Sea to the east. It is an archipelago made of 572 islands, out of which only 38 are permanently inhabited.
The terrain of Andaman islands is made up of 70% Paleogene sedimentary rocks. Some islands of Andamans boast fringing coral reefs. It is one of the few places in the world to have mud volcanoes and is home to the only active volcano in India, located in Barren Island. |
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Lakshadweep |
Laksadweep Islands is among the smallest union territories of India. It’s an archipelago of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km. It has 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged sand banks and only ten inhabited islands. The word Laksha-dweep means a “hundred thousand islands”. It is located in the southern-west coast of India in the Arabian Sea. All islands in Lakshadweep are located between a range of 220 km to 440 km (approx) from India’s coastal city Kochi. |
Natural Beauty
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Andaman Islands |
The Andaman Islands boasts bewitching natural beauty. The island is covered in thick forests of palms, padauk and mangroves. Various exotic migratory birds and indigenous fauna thrive in its biodiversity. Waterfalls, vibrant marine life, and emerald-bluish sea waters elevate the beauty of these islands. |
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Lakshadweep |
The natural beauty of Lakshadweep Island is untouched from the hands of commercial tourism. Many of its beaches, lagoons, and coconut palms are still intact in its pristine conditions. The wide-stretch of white sand beaches, eye-soothing cerulean waters, and ocean breeze are ideal for solitude seekers and nature lovers. |
Weather & Climate:
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Andaman Islands |
The Andaman Island features a tropical climate all year around with bright sunny days or rainy days, especially during monsoon season. There are no extreme hot days or chilly winters. The general weather conditions are warm and humid during the days with cool breeze at nights. The average temperature in Andamans remains between 23.2° C to 25° C. |
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Lakshadweep |
Just like Andamans, Lakshadweep too, has a tropical climate with humid weather all year round. The days are warm, but the evenings are pleasant, bringing in cool ocean breeze at the seashores. The average temperature in Lakshadweep ranges from 22° C to 33° C. The Southwest monsoons bring in plenty of rain from June to mid-September. |
Top Islands to Visit:
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Andaman Islands |
The top tourist islands/spots to visit in Andamans are Port Blair (Shri Vijaya Puram), Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), Ross Island, and North Bay Island. Each island/spot in Andaman offers the best of nature, culture, and heritage to experience in the Andamans. |
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Lakshadweep |
The top tourist islands to visit in Lakshadweep are Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, and Minicoy. These islands are ideal for watersports, sunbathing, beach walks, and enjoying the island vibes away from the hustle and bustle of an urban city life. |
Activities to do:
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Andaman Islands |
On a trip to Andaman Island, you can engage in several activities. Go for cultural and historical tours in Port Blair, along with shopping. Next, you can try water sports like snorkelling, diving, sea walking at North Bay Island or Havelock’s Elephant Beach. Birdwatching, wildlife spotting, trekking and kayaking are also popular activities to do in Andaman Islands |
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Lakshadweep |
Just like Andaman, water sports are a popular activity to do in Lakshadweep but is only limited to one or two islands. You can go snorkelling, scuba diving and sea walking. Glass bottom boat rides are also gaining popularity. Besides, beach walks and sunbathing are popular among those who simply want to enjoy a relaxing time. |
Best Time to Visit:
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Andaman Islands |
The ideal time to plan a trip to the Andaman Island is from October to March. The monsoon season from mid-May to September brings heavy rainfall which can disrupt travel plans and puts a temporary break on beach activities due to the risk of low tide. |
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Lakshadweep |
The best time to visit Lakshadweep is between October and February (the cool season). March to May becomes slightly warm but nevertheless, remains a good time to visit Lakshadweep Island. |
Ideal Duration:
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Andaman Islands |
Most tourists travelling to Andamans either plan a 5 night 6 days Andaman trip or 6 nights and 7 days Andaman trip. This almost week-long Andaman tour allows them to see all the top places in one go and enjoy their island vacation. However, if you plan to take a mini vacation, look for 3 or 4 days Andaman tour packages. |
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Lakshadweep |
The ideal duration for spending a vacation in Lakshadweep amongst most tourists is anywhere between 5 to 7 days. This duration lets them see the best islands of Lakshadweep, participate in water sports and try local cuisine. However, you can always extend or shorten your trip as per your budget and preferences. |
How to Reach:
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Andaman Islands |
You can board a direct flight from Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai to Port Blair. It is the fastest, most hassle-free way to reach Andamans from India within a span of 3-4 hours. You can also board passenger ferries running from Chennai, but that takes about 2-3 days to complete its journey. |
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Lakshadweep |
Flying to Lakshadweep is the most convenient way to travel from India. Board a flight from Kochi, Bangalore, or Goa’s MOPA airport to reach Agatti Island. The other option is to board a ferry, operational only from the port of Kochi, Kerala. |
Cost of a Trip:
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Andaman Islands |
Considering you plan a 6 day trip to the Andamans, let’s make a rough estimation:
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Lakshadweep |
For Lakshdweep, here is the rough estimation of a trip:
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What to Choose:
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Andaman Islands |
If you prefer a mix of cultural, historical and natural sights, choose Andaman Islands. The islands are well-developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, provide wide-range of accommodation options, and are suitable for travellers having different budgets. |
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Lakshadweep |
If you seek solitude, non-commercial sights, peaceful beaches, or going for a couple’s getaway, choose Lakshadweep as your preferred island destination. |
