The last enchanted isle…

Sharing a large, aquamarine lagoon with three other uninhabited islands, the tiny 128-acre island of Bangaram is the jewel in Lakshadweep’s crown. This little piece of heaven on earth – the only resort island in Lakshadweep – is paradoxically the well-known best kept secret of a number of Lakshadweep fans from all corners of the globe. Evidence of this lies in the number of repeat clients that make it back to Bangaram’s shores every year, each one boasting more visits than the next. The limpid blue waters of the lagoon, stilled by the embrace of the barrier reef, and the white sand underfoot lure besotted guests back into the folds of the ever-growing Bangaram family.

The Lacadives Dive Centre at Bangaram, established in 2000, is less than 50 meters from this lagoon of dreams, and a number of our guests have begun their affairs with the sea here. Calm even during inclement weather, the coral-filled lagoon provides a shelter for juvenile marine fauna and is a wonderful place to get better acquainted with the underwater world. The Lacadives staff offers introductory and advanced courses through both PADI and CMAS. The outside of the barrier reefs around Bangaram provides splendid underwater opportunities for experienced divers. Home to migrating manta rays during season, and to resident white-tip reef sharks and turtles all year round, sites like Manta Point, Tinnakara Hill and Grand Canyon have wowed our guests year after year. The distant, unexplored reefs of Peremul Par, Pitti and Suheli, now not so distant with our new custom-designed dive boat, are an adventurers dream. So whether you spend your days diving, snorkeling or simply sitting on your balcony in awe of the remote beauty at your doorstep the magic of Bangaram will last you a lifetime!

Entrance Point (12-25meters):

Located near the southern entrance into the Bangaram and prone to fairly h4 currents during the changing of the tides, this is a challenging dive along an underwater slope. Nurse sharks are often found resting under small rocky overhangs while grey-reef and white-tip sharks rest on the sand down past 21 meters. Sweetlips, jacks, batfish and the usual proliferation of reef fish share the slope. Turtles also visit the site and lucky divers have even spotted schools of eagle rays and dolphins while waiting on the safety stop at the end of the dive.

Manta Point (10-25 meters):

A cleaning-station for manta rays during the manta season (November to January), Manta Point is an explosion of reef life as other marine fauna also frequent this reef to avail of the services of the resident cleaners. Regardless of the presence of manta rays, this gently sloping dive site is home to white-tip reef sharks and marbled stingrays that rest on the sand at the bottom of the reef. Moray eels, snapper, squirrelfish and angelfish are some of the regulars at Manta Point. Lucky divers have even spotted juvenile whale sharks and guitar sharks.

Grand Canyon and Canyon Reef (10-40 meters) :

A dive along the walls of an underwater canyon with amazing topography. A truly blissful dive in deep blue water with the chances of spotting pelagic fish off the wall with no bottom. Divers end the dive in the shallows of Canyon Reef.

Princess Royale (10-23 meters):

Remains of a 200-year-old British galleon that was discovered by Andreas Heidman, the previous dive instructor at Bangaram. The bell has been salvaged and housed at the museum at Agatti. Three canons remain at 10 meters and some crockery at about 23 meters. A site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India after an expedition with Lacadives and the Indian Navy, the Princess is one of the few documented wrecks in the Lakshadweep.

Thinnakara Hill (10-25 meters):

This solitary hill of rock and coral pops up from the sandy bottom slightly north of the main fringing reef of the Tinnakara-Bangaram lagoon. Separated from the main reef by a channel of sand at 24 meters, the hill is almost always an-action filled dive as currents bring a diverse array of fish life to it. Plenty of schooling jacks, eagle rays and grouper make this an awesome dive. Green turtles can also be spotted cruising the whip-coral fields on the northern slopes of the hill that taper down towards a deep wall.

Three Hills (14-30 meters):

A reef system of rock and coral broken into 3 separate “hills”, this dive is also separated from the main fringing reef of the Tinnakara-Bangaram lagoon by a channel of sand at 24 meters. The sand is home to Kuhl’s stingray & hundreds of garden eels. White-tip reef sharks cruise the deeper edges of Three Hills while the shallower slopes see large moray eels and marbled stingrays sharing the reef with snapper, jacks and angelfish. Barracuda are often spotted in mid-water above the site.

Little Canyon (6-15 meters) :

An unusual site with overhangs, swim-through tunnels and plenty of fish from resident sweetlips to the occasional fantail ray.

Shallow Point (8-18 meters) :

A great site for beginners with lots of coral heads fringed by sparkling white sand. A nesting site for Titan Triggerfish during season, Shallow Point is great for spotting the large and the small – from resident leopard morays and Kuhl’s stingray to lionfish, leaf-scorpionfish and lots of macro-life in the shelter of the reef.

The Bangaram Island Resort is managed by the CGH-Earth group (Formerly the Casino Group of Hotels, Kerala) – a pioneer in Kerala tourism with reputed heritage resorts throughout the state. At Bangaram, the group’s “Less is More” philosophy brings back an era bygone, where joy is found in that which Nature so benevolently offers. The emphasis is on the outdoors and a simple approach to holidaying on an island. The lagoon and its islands, the beaches, the reefs and the night sky encourage an exploration both outward and inward.

Most of the Bangaram staff is from the islands and exude a warm hospitality that is a trademark of the Lakshadweep. All cooking is still done on firewood and dinners are by the beach. While there may not be room service or air-conditioning, there is great food, service with a smile and an un-inhabited island to explore.

By Air:
Flights are available from Cochin Airport to Agatti.