Best time to visit Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The best time to visit Lakshadweep, Andaman, and Nicobar Islands depends on the kind of experiences you want. Lakshadweep is a group of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea with some stunning landscapes and a vibrant local culture. On the other side in the Bay of Bengal is an archipelago called the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, full of dense forests, pristine beaches, and rich heritage.

While both the sets of islands have some distinctive features, they are very similar in terms of climate, activities, landscape, and culture. In this article, we tell you the best time to visit the islands of India.

Best time to visit the islands in India

The best time to visit Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is from October to May. The climate is cool and pleasant. It is the perfect time to thoroughly enjoy all the outdoor activities and water sports the islands offer. Plus, you also get a taste of the culture with the many festivals that are celebrated on the islands.

Monsoons, from July to September, see heavy rains, strong winds, and high tidal waves. There are often disruptions in communication and transportation. That is why, the monsoon season is not recommended for travel to the islands. There are, however, a few things you can still enjoy even in the rains, although you may have to be prepared to stay indoors a lot.

As coastal regions, the winter season is almost non-existent on the islands. Yes, the climate is pleasant and cooler, but it doesn’t get very cold here. This makes it the perfect tropical travel destination in India.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Winter season on the islands (October to February)

Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep are amazing in winter. The weather is amazing and there is a lot to do on the islands during winter. The early mornings and nights are cool, but because of the ocean, it doesn’t get too cold. The temperatures range from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius.

It is the perfect time for sunbathing at the beach, exploring the islands, and indulging in adventure activities. The days are pleasantly sunny, great for beach activities like volleyball, jet skiing, zorbing, and speed boating. You can also indulge in undersea walking, parasailing, and scuba diving.

The mild climate means that the place is packed with tourists in winter. You will find that tickets and accommodations are expensive, so make sure to book everything in advance.

The festival of Milad-Ul-Nabi is celebrated in winter in Lakshadweep.

Best places to visit in winter in Lakshadweep

Kavaratti, Agatti Island, Minicoy Island, Amini Beach, Bangaram Island, Kalpeni Island.

Best places to visit in winter in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Havelock Island, Port Blair, Cellular Jail, Ross Island, Elephant Beach, Radhanagar Beach, Bharatpur Beach

Lakshadweep

Summer season on the islands (March to May)

Summer season in Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is beautiful, with no rainfall and clear skies. The temperature ranges from 22 to 33 degrees in Lakshadweep and 25 to 32 degrees Celsius in Andaman and Nicobar, although the humidity is high, too.

You can explore the islands, go sightseeing, or spend a day lazing around on the beaches. If you love water sports, all the water activities such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing are open for tourists in Andaman as well as Lakshadweep.

The Island Tourism Festival, and the SubhashMela, and the Block Mela all take place in Andaman in summer. The summer season is vacation time for most schools and colleges in India, so you will find a lot of tourists flocking to this beach destination for a holiday. Make sure to book your tickets and accommodations in advance.

Best places to visit in Lakshadweep in summer

Minicoy, Bangaram, Kavaratti, Agatti, Andretti

Best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar in summer

Chidiya Tapu, Elephant Beach, Havelock Island, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Andaman and Nicobar

Monsoon season on the islands (June to September)

June to September is the monsoon season in Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It rains heavily here during this time. Andaman and Nicobar Islands get rainfall twice – once from the southwest monsoon and one from the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon often starts in May. It first arrives in Andaman and then reaches the Indian mainland. The northeast monsoon lasts from November to January.

The temperatures range between 21 and 31 degrees. Off-season for tourism, the monsoons see a lot of tropical storms and heavy rains. There is a risk of landslides and many ferries also get canceled due to the weather. The outdoor activities are mostly closed for the season. Naturally, monsoon is off-season for tourism on the islands.

However, if you do choose to visit India in the monsoons, you will get a lot of discounts on tickets and accommodations to these islands. You will also find much fewer crowds. Agatti and Bangaram are the only two islands you can visit in Lakshadweep in monsoons.

Lakshadweep has a predominantly Muslim population, so the festivals of Eid-Ul-Fitr and Bakri Eid are celebrated largely here.

Best places to visit in Lakshadweep in monsoon

Bangaram, Agatti

Best places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar in monsoon

Cellular Jail, RadhaNagar Beach, Chidiya Tapu

Cellular Jail, Port Blair (Picture credits: Britannica)

Festivals and events on the islands

Island Tourism Festival: Celebrated in Port Blair in December or January, the Island Tourism Festival showcases traditional music and dance performances, exhibitions, food, and competitions that reflect the culture of the region.

Monsoon Music Festival: The Monsoon Music Festival celebrates art and music in the monsoon season in Andaman and Nicobar. The festival is held at different venues on the islands and features performances by many well-known artists from across India.

Subhash Mela: Subhash Mela commemorates the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, an esteemed freedom fighter of India, on 23 January. There are many cultural events, speeches, processions, and exhibitions that show the life and legacy of this great leader who played a major role in getting India her freedom.

Beach Festival: The Beach Festival is held at many different beaches across Andaman and NIcobar. Organized by the Tourism Department, the festival has many beach activities, water sports, musical performances, and seafood stalls.

Eid-Ul-Fitr: Also known as Meethi Eid, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim community in Lakshadweep. It marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. On this day, people wear new clothes, offer prayers, and exchange gifts with friends and families.

Muharram: The month of Muharram honors the death of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussein. In Lakshadweep, people pound their chests while chanting “Ya Hussain” to express sorrow. The island observes Muharram for 10 days, when Muslims dress in black and observe a period of mourning.

Bakri Eid: Also known as Eid-al-Adha, Bakri Eid celebrates Prophet Ibrahim, who sacrificed his son in order to obey God. On this day, the people of the Muslim community prepare large feasts, dress up in new clothes, and offer prayers in mosques. They also exchange gifts and sweets with each other

Minicoy Festival: The Lakshadweep Minicoy Festival is celebrated in January on the island. It marks the end of harvest season and the beginning of the new year. Originally celebrated by the fishermen community as a thanksgiving ritual to the island deity, today, the festival is celebrated by all the people of the island.

Onam: The harvest festival of Onam is celebrated in Lakshadweep, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The 10-day festival takes place in August or September. It is believed that the spirit of the mythical king Mahabali visits Kerala during this time.

Island Tourism Festival (Picture credits: Andaman Love)

Tips to enjoy your trip to the islands

• Pack according to the season. The islands are mostly pleasant and sunny, so carry light clothes and swimwear, along with sunglasses, hats, caps, and sunscreen. If you are visiting in the monsoon season, carry a raincoat, umbrella, flashlights, power banks, and mosquito repellent.
• While monsoon is not especially risky, there is always a possibility of tropical storms, high tides, and heavy rainfall. So be prepared accordingly. There may be disruptions in communication, electricity failures, or transportation issues. Make sure you check the weather updates regularly and proceed with caution accordingly. Carry some books and games in case you need to stay indoors.
• Carry a first aid kit with essential medicines, since the medical facilities on the islands are often more limited than the mainland.
• Foreign nationals may need permits after landing. All visitors need an entry permit in Lakshadweep from the Lakshadweep Administration. You can apply for the same online or through agents, so make sure you do the needful before you land in India.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, especially in the summer season. Always carry a packaged drinking water bottle with you.
• Alcohol is available in limited areas in Lakshadweep with permission from the administration.
• Keep the beaches and surroundings clean. Do not litter, and do not light campfires in the woods. Take care of the environment.
• Respect the local laws and customs.

So, when are you planning a trip to the gorgeous islands of India? Let us know! At India Someday, we plan personalized trips to India for you according to your interests and preferences. Contact us, and together we can plan the ideal India trip for you!