# Lakshadweep Central

> Independent trip desk for the Lakshadweep islands, India. Not a government website. We plan trips with travellers on WhatsApp (https://wa.me/919447822994) and connect them to checked local partners. Every fact on the site carries its source and the date it was last checked.

Team: Ziad (Trip planner).

## Entry permit
https://lakshadweepcentral.com/permit/

- Everyone who isn't a Lakshadweep native needs an entry permit, Indian citizens included. (source: e-Permit portal, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Apply yourself online under the Tourist category. Tourists no longer need a sponsor or a police clearance certificate. (source: e-Permit portal, Tourist Permit Advisory, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- One application form covers up to six people. (source: epermit.utl.gov.in, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Sign up on the new e-Permit portal, apply under the Tourist category, pay the fees online and track the status. The permit arrives by email. (source: e-Permit portal, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Fees: ₹50 application fee per applicant (non-refundable), plus a heritage charge of ₹200 per adult and ₹100 for ages 12–17. Payment-gateway charges may be extra. (source: e-Permit fee details, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The official fee pages give the heritage charge per person and do not say "per day". A Kavaratti dive centre describes it as per day. Ask us for the amount for your dates.
- Apply early. When a Kavaratti dive centre checked on 15 Oct 2026, the earliest travel date the portal accepted was 15 days away. List your exact dates and every island, including ones you only pass through. (source: Kavaratti dive centre trip planner, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: A news report on the 29 Apr 2026 circular says apply at least 14 days ahead; the portal accepted dates 15 days out when checked on 15 Oct 2026.
- Get your permit before you book a ship. The booking asks for your permit application number and fails if the permit's dates, islands or travellers don't match. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep terms, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Foreign nationals (with a tourist visa) may visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat only. Indian citizens may visit the islands listed on their permit. (source: lakshadweep.gov.in, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The official tourism page (updated 4 Sep 2026) names Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat. The 1967 Entry Rules say Kadmat, Agatti and notified uninhabited islands.
- Foreign nationals can't book ship tickets online. IRCTC sends them to the Samudram package instead. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Report to the island's Registration Officer within 24 hours of arriving, and carry your permit. (source: Entry & Residence Rules 1967, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Your permit is valid only for the islands listed on it. (source: Entry & Residence Rules 1967, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Transit happens only via Kavaratti or Agatti, for up to 12 hours. (source: Entry & Residence Rules 1967, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The 1967 Rules apply the 12-hour transit limit to foreign tourists. News reports on the April 2026 circular apply it to all tourists.
- From 15 Oct 2026 all e-Permit services moved to a new portal, lak.e-permit.utl.gov.in. The old epermit.utl.gov.in site carries a notice pointing there. (source: e-Permit portal public announcement, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- A tourist entry permit is valid for up to 30 days from issue and can be renewed once for another 30 days. (source: New e-Permit portal help, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Upload a recent passport-size colour photo and proof of address (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence; a birth certificate for infants). (source: New e-Permit portal help, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- On arrival, officials scan the QR code on your permit to verify it. (source: New e-Permit portal help, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- A submitted or issued permit can't be edited. To fix a name, photo or address you submit a fresh application. (source: New e-Permit portal help, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Dive centres can apply for the permit on their guests' behalf once a booking deposit is paid. (source: Kavaratti dive centre trip planner, checked 24 Oct 2026)

## Ships and ship schedule
https://lakshadweepcentral.com/getting-here/ships-ferries/

- The Samudram cruise package is suspended "until further directions" while its ship is maintained. (source: samudram.utl.gov.in notice, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- You book ship tickets in your own account. Agents may not book for you, and tickets are non-transferable. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep terms, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Ship tickets for government ships and high-speed craft are sold on IRCTC Lakshadweep. (source: lakshadweep.gov.in ticketing counters, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Register on IRCTC Lakshadweep with the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar and a mobile OTP. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep terms, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Tickets open 7–30 days before sailing. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The FAQ gives 7–30 days, but IRCTC also announces releases for single sailings: tickets for MV Arabian Sea from Kochi on 25 Oct 2026 opened on 24 Oct at 10:30.
- Up to 5 passengers per ticket, chosen from the travellers linked to your permit. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep terms, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Web check-in is mandatory. It closes 8 hours before a Kochi departure and 2 hours before an island departure. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- The voyage from Kochi takes 14–18 hours, depending on the island. (source: lakshadweep.gov.in, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- The passenger fleet is 5 all-weather ships and 6 high-speed craft. (source: UT Port, Shipping & Aviation, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The department page lists 5 ships; the "How to reach" page lists 7.
- Inter-island high-speed boats run only in fair weather, 15 Sep–15 May. (source: UT Port, Shipping & Aviation, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The port department gives 15 Sep–15 May for high-speed craft; the "How to reach" page says inter-island boats run October–May.
- Tickets for MV Arabian Sea sailing from Kochi on 25 Oct 2026 opened on 24 Oct 2026 at 10:30. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep alerts, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Children travel at half fare and infants pay ₹5. (source: UT fare order, checked 13 Sep 2026) Sources disagree: The fare order says ₹5 under 1 year and half fare for ages 1–12; IRCTC says ₹5 under 2 and half fare for ages 2–12.
- Kochi ticket counters: IG Road (0484-2668371) and Gandhi Nagar (0484-2205465). (source: lakshadweep.gov.in ticketing counters, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- The ship schedule is a PDF from the port authorities, posted under Alerts & Announcements on IRCTC Lakshadweep every few weeks. The same page posts the weekly high-speed boat schedule, ticket-release times and weather cancellations. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep alerts, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- The schedule posted on 18 Oct 2026 covers MV Arabian Sea, MV Lakshadweep Sea, MV Lagoons and MV Corals from 16 Oct to 6 Nov 2026. (source: Ship schedule dated 16 Oct 2026 (via IRCTC alerts), checked 24 Oct 2026)
- High-speed boat timings are published a week at a time and sail subject to weather. All high-speed sailings on 24 Oct 2026 were cancelled for weather. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep alerts, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- A Tatkal quota of 5% of seats opens 48 hours before departure, at ₹100–500 extra depending on class. Tatkal tickets are not refunded if you cancel. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Boarding gates close 1 hour 30 minutes before departure at Kochi, 30 minutes before on the islands, and 5 minutes before on high-speed boats. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The ship schedule dated 16 Oct 2026 says boarding at Kochi closes 2 hours before departure and 1 hour before on the islands. Plan for the earlier time.
- Luggage: 45 kg (4 bags) on MV Kavaratti, Corals and Lagoons; 35 kg on MV Lakshadweep Sea and Arabian Sea; 15 kg on high-speed boats. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- If the voyage is cancelled you get a full refund automatically. If you miss the ship, the ticket is a no-show with no refund. (source: IRCTC Lakshadweep FAQ, checked 24 Oct 2026)

## Flights to Agatti
https://lakshadweepcentral.com/getting-here/flights/

- Fly91 flies Kochi → Agatti every day, once or twice a day (about 1–1.5 hours). (source: Fly91 booking engine and flight schedule (effective 4 Oct 2026), checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Alliance Air (08:30) and IndiGo (around 10:00) also fly Kochi → Agatti, each about daily. (source: Alliance Air schedule; IndiGo Kochi–Agatti route page, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: A schedule-data site counted about 25 departures a week on the route. The airline pages show about 14, but IndiGo's page lists only the cheapest flight each day, so it may run more.
- Fly91 flies Goa (Mopa) → Agatti twice a day, at 07:30 and 12:50. (source: Fly91 booking engine, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The 12:50 flight shows in Fly91's booking engine for November and December but not in its published schedule PDF, which lists only the 07:30.
- IndiGo flies Bengaluru → Agatti nonstop on some days (about 2 h 15 min). On other days it sells connections via Kochi. (source: IndiGo Bengaluru–Agatti route page, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Fly91 runs a seasonal Bengaluru → Agatti flight on selected dates from 12 Nov 2026 to mid-January 2027. It was set up for holiday packages, but seats are also sold on fly91.in. (source: Fly91 press release and booking engine, checked 24 Oct 2026) Sources disagree: The press release says every four days; the booking engine shows irregular dates (for example 12 and 15 Nov, then 30 Nov, 3 and 6 Dec). One travel outlet calls it a charter.
- Checked baggage is 15 kg on Alliance Air and Fly91. Cabin bags are 7 kg on Fly91 and 5 kg on Alliance Air, and Alliance Air sells no prepaid extra baggage on Agatti–Kochi. (source: Fly91 Conditions of Carriage; Alliance Air baggage policy (19 Aug 2026), checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Bangaram is reached from Agatti by boat or helicopter. (source: lakshadweep.gov.in, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Three government helicopters serve medical evacuations, official duty and search & rescue first. (source: UT Port, Shipping & Aviation, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- In the monsoon, a helicopter links Kavaratti and Agatti for flight passengers, subject to availability. (source: UT Port, Shipping & Aviation, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- The flight from Kochi to Agatti takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. (source: lakshadweep.gov.in How to reach, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- On 24 Oct 2026, Fly91's Agatti → Kochi flights were sold out for every date from 23 to 29 Dec. (source: Fly91 booking engine, checked 24 Oct 2026)

## Activities and prices
https://lakshadweepcentral.com/activities/

- Discover Scuba (confined water): ₹3,500 per person (source: Kavaratti dive centre price list, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- Discover Scuba (open water): ₹4,500 per person (source: Kavaratti dive centre price list, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- Fun dive: ₹4,000 per dive (source: Kavaratti dive centre price list, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- PADI Open Water course: ₹30,000 per person (source: Kavaratti dive centre price list, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- PADI Open Water course: ₹31,000 per person (source: Agatti dive centre price list, checked 13 Sep 2026)
- Minimum diving age is 10–14 depending on the centre. The government water-sports unit asks for age 14, swimming skills and a doctor's fitness certificate. (source: SPORTS water sports page, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Discover Scuba Dive: ₹5,000 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Lagoon dive (shallow): ₹3,500 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Fun dive at Agatti or Kalpitti (certified divers): ₹4,000 per dive (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Fun dive at Bangaram or Thinnakara (certified divers): ₹5,000 per dive (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Shore snorkelling (30 min): ₹500 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Glass-bottom boat to Kalpitti island: ₹4,000 per boat, up to 8 people (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Dolphin-watching trip (2.5–3 hours): ₹3,000–3,500 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Jet ski: ₹2,000 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Parasailing: ₹4,500 per person (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Agatti sightseeing by taxi: ₹2,000 per taxi, up to 5 people (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Kayaking is free with scuba diving on Agatti. (source: Agatti activity price list, Oct 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)

## Rules for visitors
https://lakshadweepcentral.com/permit/#rules

- Don't touch, collect or damage coral or marine life, and never anchor on coral. (source: Tourist Trade Guidelines 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Single-use plastic is banned, including PET water bottles and plastic cups. (source: UT order, 25 Jan 2019, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Hotels, resorts, homestays and water-sports centres need a Lakshadweep Tourist Trade Permit. New businesses need one before opening, existing ones by 30 Sep 2026. (source: UT Department of Tourism, checked 24 Oct 2026)
- Dive and water-sports staff must hold the certifications the Guidelines list, such as instructors certified by PADI, SSI or CMAS. (source: Tourist Trade Guidelines 2026, checked 24 Oct 2026)

## Other pages
- Weather and seasons: https://lakshadweepcentral.com/weather/
- Islands: https://lakshadweepcentral.com/islands/
- How we check facts: https://lakshadweepcentral.com/how-we-check/