The Lakshadweep archipelago consists of 36 islands some 200 to 300 km off Kerala coast. The islands are a northern extension of the Maldives chain. Ten of the islands are inhabited. They are Andrott, Amini, Agatti, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. The islands form the smallest of the Union Territory of India and are the country's only coral islands. 
These palm fringed, coral islands, with their beautiful lagoons, are every bit as inviting as those in the Maldives archipelago. There are regular boat cruises and tours to the island for the Indian nationals, and the resort on the uninhabited island of Bangaram is open to foreign tourists. Bangaram is in a six-km by ten-km lagoon with three other smaller islands - Thinnakara, Parali-1 and Parali-2.

Indian tourists on the regular boat cruises to the islands stay on board their cruise ship. The 30-room Bangaram Island Resort is the only option open to foreign visitors. Scuba diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing and boat trips on kayaks, catamarans and sailboats are some of the activities available on the islands.