At present, the only way for foreigners to reach Bangaram is on the expensive flights on small aircraft run by Indian Airlines out of Kochi (1 daily, except Sun) and Goa (Mon, Wed & Fri) and bookable through the Casino Hotel on Willingdon Island. Foreigners pay $300 for the round trip, which takes ninety minutes. Flights arrive in Lakshadweep at the island of Agatti , 8km southwest, from where the connecting boat journey to Bangaram takes two hours, picking its way through the shallows to avoid the corals. During the monsoon (May 16-Sept 15), helicopters are used so as to protect the fragile coral reefs that lie just under the surface. All arrangements, including flights, accommodation and the necessary entry permit, are handled by the Casino Hotel , Willingdon Island, Kochi (tel 0484/668221, fax 668001). Some foreign tour operators, however, offer all-in packages combining Lakshadweep with another destination, usually Goa.

 

The Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism and Sports (SPORTS) on IG Road, Willingdon Island (tel 0484/668387, fax 668155) organizes six-day package cruises on one of two ships, the Tipu Sultan or the Bharat Seema . You spend two days at sea and four days lying on the beach. SPORTS will arrange all permits and the package is for full board ($450 for non-a/c, $500 for a/c), although foreigners who take the package have to stay on Kadmat, whereas fellow Indian visitors can explore two other islands nearby.