Our verdict
Choose the Andamans for an easy-to-book island holiday with plenty of flights, hotels and activities; 5 nights start around ₹22,000 per person on land. Choose Lakshadweep if you want India's clearest lagoons and almost no crowds, and can handle an entry permit, limited flights from Kochi and simple stays; 4 nights start around ₹30,000 per person plus flights from Kochi.
Side by side
| Factor | Andaman Islands | Lakshadweep |
|---|---|---|
| Best months | November to April | October to April; flights and ships disrupted in the monsoon |
| Getting there | Flights to Port Blair from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata | Only via Kochi: about 1 h 30 min flight to Agatti on small aircraft, or 14–20 h by ship |
| Permits | None for Indian citizens on the main islands | Entry permit required for every visitor, arranged in advance |
| Starting land cost | 5N from ₹22,000 per person | 4N from ₹30,000 per person, plus Kochi–Agatti flights |
| Water clarity | Good, best in March and April | Turquoise atoll lagoons with very high visibility |
| Crowds | Busy at Radhanagar and on ferries in peak season | Very few visitors; tourism is capped |
| Stays | Wide range from budget hotels to luxury resorts | Limited cottages and tents on a few islands; book months ahead |
| Activities | Diving, snorkelling, Cellular Jail, mangroves, island-hopping | Snorkelling, diving, kayaking and glass-bottom boats |
| Food | Varied; easy vegetarian in Port Blair and Havelock | Simple Kerala-style set meals; coconut and tuna; little choice |
| Family-friendliness | Good hotels and medical facilities nearby | Calm lagoons but basic medical facilities |
| Peace and quiet | Quiet evenings, but popular beaches fill by day | Near-empty beaches and silent nights |
Which one is for you?
Choose Andaman Islands if…
- You want an island trip that's easy to book, with flights from most metros
- You'd like variety: the Cellular Jail, scuba, mangrove kayaking and long beaches
- You're travelling with older parents or young children and want good hotels
- You're deciding at short notice; Lakshadweep stays and permits need weeks of lead time
Choose Lakshadweep if…
- You want the clearest, calmest lagoons in India and almost no other tourists
- You're a keen snorkeller or diver who has already done the Andamans
- You're happy with simple cottages, set meals and patchy mobile networks
- You're starting from Kochi or anywhere in Kerala
Two archipelagos, two levels of effort
The Andamans are India's mainstream island holiday: an airport with flights from most metros, hundreds of hotels, private ferries and a long menu of activities. Lakshadweep is a string of coral atolls roughly 200–440 km off the Kerala coast, with only a handful of islands open to tourists and a deliberate cap on visitor numbers. Lakshadweep has the more striking sea; the Andamans are far easier to plan.
Getting there and paperwork
Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) has non-stop or one-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, and Indian citizens need no permit for the main islands. Lakshadweep is reached only through Kochi: a small-aircraft flight of about 1 hour 30 minutes to Agatti, or a passenger ship that takes 14–20 hours. Seats are few and sell out early.
Every visitor to Lakshadweep, including Indian citizens, needs an entry permit from the Lakshadweep administration. It is usually arranged by your tour operator or resort once the stay is confirmed, along with a police clearance certificate. Plan four to eight weeks ahead.
What does each cost?
A 5-night Andaman package covering Port Blair, Havelock and Neil starts around ₹22,000 per person, twin sharing, on land; with return flights from Delhi, expect ₹38,000–48,000. A 4-night Lakshadweep package with a beach cottage, meals and the permit starts around ₹30,000 per person, and Kochi–Agatti return flights typically add ₹10,000–20,000. Add your flight to Kochi, and a Lakshadweep trip from Delhi usually lands at ₹55,000 or more per person. See the Andaman trip cost.
The sea and what you'll do
Lakshadweep's lagoons are shallow, sheltered and very clear, so snorkelling straight off the beach on Agatti, Kadmat or Bangaram is excellent, and kayaking is easy for beginners. There's little else to do, which is the point. The Andamans offer more: try dives on Havelock, the light-and-sound show at the Cellular Jail, mangrove kayaking, Radhanagar's sunset and boat trips to Ross Island and North Bay.
The honest trade-offs
Lakshadweep's tourism is small-scale. Stays are cottages or tents, meals are set menus, mobile data is limited, and medical facilities are basic, so think carefully with infants or elderly parents. Alcohol is restricted. Flights can be cancelled at short notice in poor weather, and there are few alternatives.
The Andamans are more developed but more crowded. Radhanagar is busy in December and January, ferries need booking ahead, and hotel standards vary widely.
Who should go where
Choose the Andamans for a first island holiday, a family trip or a honeymoon with comfort and options. Choose Lakshadweep if you've done the Andamans, love snorkelling and want quiet more than convenience. Check timing on the Andaman best time to visit page, browse our India tour packages, or see more island pairs on the comparison hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a permit for Lakshadweep?
Which is cheaper, Andaman or Lakshadweep?
How do you reach Lakshadweep from Delhi or Mumbai?
Is Lakshadweep good for families?
Which has better snorkelling, Andaman or Lakshadweep?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
