Wanna you visit the best Islands in India for your next vacation? India is a magnificent country with a large variety of ecosystems, habitats, waterbodies, landscapes and islands.
Whether a question may come to your mind: “How many islands are there in India?” Major of my Indian friends somehow know about it or not but most foreign visitors are completely unknown about it. They may be shocked and excited to know that there are almost 1028, but most of the islands are hidden and unidentified. Here are some stunning islands in a such sub-continent that you must visit at least once in your life.
Have a Look on some of The Best Islands in India :-
1. Majuli, Assam:-
Majuli Island is one of the largest river islands across the world and especially in India. It is located in Brahmaputra river and declared a district by Govt. of Assam in 2016. The island has its own uniqueness like breath-taking sunrise and stunning sunsets. A traveler can get a sight of assamese culture with an traditional northeastern cuisine in spite of sea food.
Best time to visit: October to December
How to reach: Take boat ride from Jorhat which is mostly connected through airport of Guwahati.
Where to stay:
Places to visit: 21 Satras (Vaishnavite Monasteries which were established to propagate the neo-vaishnavism), Yggdrasil Bamboo Cottage, Mishing village etc
Things to do: Take a bike on rent and exploring, mask-making
2. Munore Island, Kerala:
Namesake of colonel John Munore or the Munore Island is a is a eye-catching network of water canals with a collection of eight islands dug out by above-said Scottish soldier, who worked as an Diwan of states of Travancore and Kochi from 1810 to 1819. It is located around 25 km from Kollam. The visitors coming to here can avail themselves of a opportunity to stay in a house-boat overnight.
Best time to visit: October to May. The place should not be visited during monsoon like June to September.
How to reach: The travelers can use a ferryboat ride which will cost somehow INR 500. The ferryboat takes the passengers over to the island for two shifts like one in the 9 AM and another in the afternoon at 2 PM.
Places to see: M.G Beach, Jatayu Rock, Shendurni Wildlife Sanctuary, Chavara and Palaruvi Falls, Varkala Beach etc..
Where to stay: Any nearby lodges and Hotels
Things to do: You have a plenty time to have fun in seabeach and enjoying in houseboats or waterbody in waterfall
3. Diu Island, Gujrat:
This small island had been governed by Portuguese before independence. it is a part of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. And now it is an collection of amazing beaches with an architectural beauty and tropical Gujrati sea-food for the visitors. It is about 400 km away from Ahmedabad with an facility of airport and road.
Diu island has two parts like northern part that faces Gujrat and the southern part full of limestone cliffs with sandy beaches. Asia’s largest beach festival is organized every year here named as Festa De Diu from December till February.
Best time to visit: October to January
How to reach: Go on a ferry or AC ferryboat from Port Blair
Places to visit: Diu Fort, St Paul’s Church, The Zampa Gateway, The Seashell Museum
Where to stay:
Things to do: Rent a scotty ride or bike ride to enjoy the beach.
4. Swaraj Deep or Havelock Island, Andaman:
Havelock island is one of the largest islands in Andaman UT and is situated about 70 km from Port Blair, the capital city. It has been renamed “Swaraj Deep” by honorable prime minister of India Shri Narendra Modi since 2018. Entry to the island is reserved and can be made only through Directorate of Shipping Services Inter-island Port.
Best time to visit: October to May
Places to visit: Elephant Beach, Kalapathar Beach, Radhanagar Beach, Barren Island( Active Volcanic Island)
Where to stay: Symphony palms beach resort, Barefoot at Havelock etc.
Things to do: Scuba Diving, exploring coral reefs
5. Lakshadweep Island:
Beautiful Lakshadweep Island is the smallest and exotic island in India. It a cluster of 36 palm-laden coral islands in the Arabian sea, around 400 km from Cochin. It is the smallest Union Territory of India.
Best time to visit: October to May
How to reach: Connectivity through airways and seaways from Kochi, Kerala
Places to visit: Aggati Island, Kavaratti Island Marine Aquarium, Minicoy Island
Where to stay: Coral Beach Resort or Island Holiday Home
Things to do: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving at Kavaratti and Kadmat and carry a camera to capture the landscapes
6. Great Nicobar Island
The Great Nicobar Island is the largest Island in India and also a beautiful Indian Ocean island. It has a collection of flora and fauna that makes it a small world.
Best time to visit: February to June
How to reach: Boats and Helicopters available from Port Blair
Places to visit: Indira point, Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Campbell Bay
Things to do: Lazy dipping and floating on the coast
7. Divar Island – The Place of Gods, Goa
Divar Island, located on the banks of Mandavi River is around 10 km from the Panaji, the capital city. Usually, the island is visited during the festivals of Bonderam and Potekar- the former is celebrated in August and the latter is just three days before Lent.
Best time to visit:- Mid-November to Mid-February
How to reach:- Three ferry rides from Viceroy’s Arch in old Goa, Ribander and Bicholem
Places to visit: – Our Lady Of Compassion Church, Shree Ganesh Sateri Temple, European Houses and Portuguese landmarks.
Where to stay:- Divar Island Retreat Guest House
Things to do:- Capturing some beautiful pictures of this islands
You can visit the Grand Island and Chorao Island in Goa.
8. St. Marry’s Islands, Karnataka
St. Marry’s Islands is a cluster of four small islands off the coast of Karnataka. It is around 3 kms away from the shore of the Malpe beach. The Govt. of Karnataka has recently spent a considerable amount of money to make the island more tourist-friendly.
Best time to visit:- October to January
How to reach:- The only way to reach the island is by a boat/ferry from Malpe Beach, in the Udupi District of Karnataka.
Places to visit:- Coconut gardens and basaltic rock formations
Where to stay:- No accommodation facilities in this island. You have to stay in lodges of Malpe.
Things to do:- View of extraordinary rock formations, capturing pictures
You can visit the the Netrani Island or Pigeon Island in Karnataka.
9. Elephanta Island, Maharashtra :-
Gharapuri, none other than the Elephanta Island is the burning example of rock-cut cave temples, known as Elephanta caves. This has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The island is situated around 37 km from Mumbai, the capital city. The Portuguese named the island ” Elephanta” as a large stone elephant was found near the shore which was later moved to Jijabai Udyan, Mumbai.
Best time to visit:- November to March
How to reach:- It can be reached by ferry from the Gateway of India.
Places to visit:- Shiv Parwati Statue, A Museum
Things to do:- Shop for junk jewellery, carved marble statues, bags, stones, and paintings.
10. Sagar Island, West Bengal:-
Sagar Island is located in the Ganges delta, around 150 km south of Kolkata at the mouth of the river Hooghly. This island has not only it’s beauty and serenity but also a deep connection with mythology.
According to Hindu legends, the island is where King Sagar’s 60,000 sons were brought back to life by the river after they were reduced to ashes by the sage Kapil Muni.
Best time to visit :- In January when Ganga Sagar Mela is organised every year here
How to reach:- By train, road or finally by ferry
Places to visit:- Kapil Muni temple, Sagar Beach and Sagar Lighthouse
Things to do:- Exploring the Ganga Sagar Mela and taking a dip in the river
11. Sendra Island, Manipur :-
This island is situated at Loktak lake and about 50 km away from Imphal, the capital city. It is also called floating island’ (ring-shaped landmass called phumdi or phumshong) made up of organic waste – mainly clumps of matted weeds.
Best time to visit:- November to April
How to reach:- Only way to go island by boat
Where to stay:- Local huts
Places to visit :- Loktak lake, Floating National Park, Bebet Ching hillrock
Things to do:- Climb the Bebet Ching Hillrock for the view of lake, Visit the national park for the Manipur’s Dancing Deer
12. Dr.Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha :-
Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is an island off the coast of Odisha, India, approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) east of the state capital Bhubaneswar or about 70 kilometres (43 mi) south of Chandipur in Balasore district, Odisha. This island has integrated missile testing facility of India.
It is not meant for any vacation journey just for your information.
13. Rameswaram Island, Tamilnadu:-
Rameswaram Island is situated off the eastern coast of Tamilnadu, connected to the mainland by one of the longest sea-bridges of the country. You can feel the breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal.
Best time to visit:- December to February
How to reach:- Take a train from Madurai to Pamban Island and book a cab to Rameswaram
Where to stay:- Nearby Hotels and Lodges
Places to visit:- Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agniteertham, Gandamadana Parvatham at a distance of 3 km from Rameswaram, The five-faced Hanuman Temple and Dhanushkodi. You can visit A.P.J. Dr. Abdul Kalam Memorial there.
Things to do:- Explore the beaches and temples.
You should surely visit to these exquisite and well-known islands of India. Get away from the noise and pollution of the city and find yourself some amidst the enjoyment in exploring the beaches. It is ofcourse a piece of joy to spend some time with family on these eye-catching islands. You can search any tour packages from these sites like makemytrip.com or traveltriangle.com.
You can check here :- 15 Best Places Of Odisha In 2023 To Visit For Summer Vacation:-
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