Minicoy Island — Local services in Lakshadweep

We planned for 4 night package for Minicoy (SWAYING PALM PACKAGE) in December during Christmas time. Just before 6 days of our journey got call that ship schedule got changes and 4 night became 3 night. On the morning of journey we got call ship schedule got changed by 4 hours (instead of 9.30 am it was 1.30 pm). The ship started leaving Kochi by 7.30 PM.

Food in ship: Lunch and dinner in the ship is given after the passenger. You are given both veg and Non veg. Food is ok ok. Breakfast is served in morning at 7.30 Am in the morning. Bread , Upma , jam, corn flakes are given. I personally did not like breakfast.

Accommodation in ship: we have two option. Bunk class (5000 Rs for both way per person) it is similar to train berth Second Class (7500 Rs for both way per person) it is cabin for 4 people. I suggest to go in Second class for family. The condition of journey in Bunk class is not good.(we did not get Second Class) On the way to Island we spotted some dolphins and turtles. The ship reached island by 11.15 am next day. We reached resort by 1PM (once the locales deboard the ship after that tourist deboard the ship) Up to the moment we reached Island we are not happy with the experience.

The Best part of your experience starts from hear. It is amazing place to go in India. The Resort is opposite to the beach. It has big lagoon you can walk for 2km in the see. The depth will be 2 to 4 feet. It has whit sand beach. You will definitely enjoy the stay.

Accommodation in resort: You have two option in the resort. Air Conditioned Standard Room (Costs 7000 Rs for two people) it is small room it is best suited for couple. It has open Bath room like kerala style (nothing to be scared of). I will attach images. It doesn’t have geezer. Air Conditioned Deluxe Room (Costs 9000 Rs for two people) it is big room with attached balcony facing to the see. It is best suited for family with children.

Staff in the resort: The staff in the resort are very friendly . you will not feel that it is government run organization. Very helpful also. I hope all government organization staff are like that.

Food in resort: The food was good in resort. it will be north Indian style of food You have 2 verity for non veg (1 chicken and 1 Fist ) In Veg we had 2 veg curry, dall, Papad , chapatti, Rice, Pickle, payasam or desert. In Dinner we have Soup. Alcohol is not allowed in the island at the moment. There is proposal to allow alcohol once it is privatized.

Water sport activity in resort: the Corals in Minicoy are too good. You will enjoy the Vacation. Coral are 3 to 5m from the surface. You will enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, Kayak and water Sports. Don’t worry if you don’t know swimming. They will give life jacket. Staff are so helpful they will assist you. My wife don’t know swimming. Staff helped her for 1 hour for snorkeling. The cost are very reasonable. I will attached the prices in the images.

Samudram or SWAYING PALM PACKAGE: If you want to enjoy at same place and relax and do water sport activity I suggest SWAYING PALM PACKAGE. Target customer for SWAYING PALM PACKAGE is people for less than 45 years of age. We went in end of December only 20 people are there in resort. Generally only 5 to 10 people will be there. I is like private beach. End of December we have Minicoy fest . we have boat racing activity’s similar to Kerala. Navy parade and coastguard parade. You will also have cultural activities during that time

Samudram : if you want to see more places (3 islands) Samudram package is better. Target customer for Samudram package is people for more than 45 years of age.You may not have sufficient time for water sport activity’s.180 people join the group. The Ship is bigger one (you will have less see sickness)Staff are good in both packages.

They are going to hand over the island to Private organization and going to demolish the entire existing resort. They are going to build see villas made of wood. I am sad for this it will be commercialized and it will destroy the beauty of the corals...

Minicoy The Minicoy Island is the southern-most island of Lakshadweep, situated at a distance of 398 km (215 nautical miles) south-west of Kochi between 8° 15′ and 8° 20′ N latitude and 73° 01′ and 73° OS’ E longitude, having an area of 4.80 sq km. This island lies near the 9 0 Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping routes and is about 130 km from the northern-most island of Maldives. It has a very large lagoon on the western side, measuring about 6 km across the two entrances, one on the west and the other on the northern-most point. The lagoon area is 30.60 sq km. The island is about 2 m above the mean sea level on the western side and about 3 to 4 m on the eastern side, and is 11 km long. The Light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885. You will be taken to the villages, tuna canning factory, the light house and for a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads. The beaches have bathing huts and change rooms; so swim and beach walk , Pedal boat, Kayak and Sail . We provide these on hire. Three tourist cottages and one 20 bedded tourist home have been constructed for the staying tourists. This island is part of Coral Reef and Swaying Palm packages .

Culture It is the second largest and southern most island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons. Viringli is the small islet that you see on the south. Minicoy is set apart from the Northern group of islands by its culture. The closest land to Minicoy is Thuraakunu Island in the Republic of the Maldives about 100 km to the south across the Vangaaru Channel. The main attraction of the island is its carefully arranged villages, known as ‘Avah’. Each Avah has its own internal organization headed by a Moopan, around which the life of the community rests. Every Village has its own village house. In total there are 10 villages in the island, and are named as Bada, Aoumagu, Boduathiri, Rammedu, Sedivalu, Aloodi, Funhilol, Kudehi, Falessery and Kendiparty (from south to north). Each village is headed by a Bodukaka and a Bodudatha assisted by a 2nd Bodukaka and a 2nd bodudatha. First Bodukaka looks after the internal matters of the village and 2nd Bodukaka the external affairs. Village house is the place where ‘Baemedu’ (Assemblage of villagers) is held. As source of income a village has fishing boats, country crafts and coconut trees. Common feasts are conducted at the village house during the celebrations of Eid and other festive occasions. The houses, which stand in their own private enclosures, are arranged in streets. They are kept neat and tidy and reflect the urge of the people for order and colour. All the houses have a swing cot made of wood which is beautifully furnished and painted in different hues. The inhabitants love a profusion of colors, be it on the beautifully engraved tabletops that decorate their houses or on fishing boats or racing dhonis. One of the handicrafts of the people is boat modeling which is a piece of art painted in different colours. The folk dances of Minicoy are ‘Lava’, Thaara’, ‘Dandi’, ‘Fuli’ and ‘Bandiya’. Colourful and elegant race boat known as ‘Jahadhoni’ are used for race, reception of dignitaries and for annual picnic to Viringili/Raggan.

Language The language spoken are Hindi,English,Malayalam and Mahal. Minicoy being the only people in India speaking Mahal as a linguistic minority.

Climate The climate of Minicoy is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from 15th May to 15th September. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm...

The Minicoy Island is the southern-most island of Lakshadweep, situated at a distance of 398 km (215 nautical miles) south-west of Kochi between 8° 15′ and 8° 20′ N latitude and 73° 01′ and 73° OS’ E longitude, having an area of 4.80 sq km. This island lies near the 9 0 Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping routes and is about 130 km from the northern-most island of Maldives. It has a very large lagoon on the western side, measuring about 6 km across the two entrances, one on the west and the other on the northern-most point. The lagoon area is 30.60 sq km. The island is about 2 m above the mean sea level on the western side and about 3 to 4 m on the eastern side, and is 11 km long. The Light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885. You will be taken to the villages, tuna canning factory, the light house and for a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads. The beaches have bathing huts and change rooms; so swim and beach walk , Pedal boat, Kayak and Sail . We provide these on hire. Three tourist cottages and one 20 bedded tourist home have been constructed for the staying tourists. This island is part of Coral Reef and Swaying Palm packages .

Culture It is the second largest and southern most island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons. Viringli is the small islet that you see on the south. Minicoy is set apart from the Northern group of islands by its culture. The closest land to Minicoy is Thuraakunu Island in the Republic of the Maldives about 100 km to the south across the Vangaaru Channel. The main attraction of the island is its carefully arranged villages, known as ‘Avah’. Each Avah has its own internal organization headed by a Moopan, around which the life of the community rests. Every Village has its own village house. In total there are 10 villages in the island, and are named as Bada, Aoumagu, Boduathiri, Rammedu, Sedivalu, Aloodi, Funhilol, Kudehi, Falessery and Kendiparty (from south to north). Each village is headed by a Bodukaka and a Bodudatha assisted by a 2nd Bodukaka and a 2nd bodudatha. First Bodukaka looks after the internal matters of the village and 2nd Bodukaka the external affairs. Village house is the place where ‘Baemedu’ (Assemblage of villagers) is held. As source of income a village has fishing boats, country crafts and coconut trees. Common feasts are conducted at the village house during the celebrations of Eid and other festive occasions. The houses, which stand in their own private enclosures, are arranged in streets. They are kept neat and tidy and reflect the urge of the people for order and colour. All the houses have a swing cot made of wood which is beautifully furnished and painted in different hues. The inhabitants love a profusion of colors, be it on the beautifully engraved tabletops that decorate their houses or on fishing boats or racing dhonis. One of the handicrafts of the people is boat modeling which is a piece of art painted in different colours. The folk dances of Minicoy are ‘Lava’, Thaara’, ‘Dandi’, ‘Fuli’ and ‘Bandiya’. Colourful and elegant race boat known as ‘Jahadhoni’ are used for race, reception of dignitaries and for annual picnic to Viringili/Raggan.

Language The language spoken are Hindi,English,Malayalam and Mahal. Minicoy being the only people in India speaking Mahal as a linguistic minority.

Climate The climate of Minicoy is similar to the climatic conditions of Kerala. March to May is the hottest period of the year. The temperature ranges from 25oC to 35oC and humidity ranging from 70 -76 per cent for most of the year. The average rainfall received is 1600 mm a year. Monsoon prevails here from 15th May to 15th September. The monsoon period raises temperature to the mercury level between 27- 30 degrees. During the monsoon time, boats are not allowed outside the lagoon because of the violent sea. The presence of the reef maintains calm...