I've talked to enough would-be Lakshadweep travelers to know the biggest question isn't should I go — it's when. And I get it. This isn't like visiting Goa, where you can show up any month and more or less have a good time. Lakshadweep's seasons don't just affect the experience. They determine whether you can physically reach the islands at all.
So here's the complete breakdown, month by month, from someone who obsessively tracked weather patterns, ferry schedules, and dive conditions before booking.
Lakshadweep sits in the Arabian Sea, 200-400km off Kerala. It's a chain of low-lying coral atolls — highest point is maybe 5 meters above sea level. When the monsoon hits, it doesn't just rain. The sea itself revolts. Swells reach 3-5 meters. Ferries cancel. Flights reduce to bare minimum. Some islands become genuinely inaccessible.
The window is roughly October to May. Outside that, you're gambling.
Weather: 25-30°C. Low humidity. Clear skies most days. Calm seas.
Water conditions: Visibility 20-30 meters. Water temperature around 28°C — you can snorkel for hours without a wetsuit.
Crowd level: "Crowded" by Lakshadweep standards, which means... maybe 200 tourists across all islands at any given time. You'll still have beaches to yourself.
What's happening:
The catch: Flights sell out months in advance. That Kochi-Agatti route only has 40-50 seats per flight, and with just 1-2 flights daily, capacity is brutal. Ship berths fill up too. I know people who planned their entire trip around the one flight they could get.
Book: 3-6 months ahead for flights, 2-3 months for accommodation.
This is my personal sweet spot.
Weather: 27-31°C. Some residual humidity from the monsoon, occasional afternoon showers. Seas calming down.
Water conditions: Visibility improving daily as post-monsoon sediment clears. By late November, it's nearly peak clarity. The coral looks freshest — four months of rough seas have scrubbed everything clean.
Crowd level: Very low. October is the earliest most travelers consider, and many wait until December to be safe. You'll have genuine solitude.
What's happening:
The catch: October can still bring surprise rough weather. Have flexible dates. One couple I spoke with had their ferry cancelled three days running in early October before the seas finally calmed.
Book: 2-3 months ahead. More availability than peak season.
Weather: Getting hot. March is pleasant (28-32°C). By May, you're looking at 33-35°C with rising humidity. Still sunny and dry.
Water conditions: Good visibility through March, gradually decreasing as pre-monsoon currents stir things up. Still perfectly swimmable.
Crowd level: Dropping off. March has decent numbers; April and May are quiet.
What's happening:
The catch: The heat in April and May is no joke. Midday on the beach becomes uncomfortable. And you can feel the monsoon approaching — the air gets thick, the wind shifts direction.
Book: 1-2 months ahead. Good availability.
Weather: Rain. Wind. Grey skies. Temperatures drop slightly (26-30°C) but humidity is extreme.
Water conditions: Visibility drops to under 5 meters in most areas. Currents are strong. Coral spawning happens around this time, which is ecologically fascinating but makes the water murky.
Crowd level: Almost zero. And for good reason.
What's happening:
Should you try? Honestly, no. Unless you're a marine biologist or have specific research reasons, monsoon visits are more stressful than they're worth. I met one traveler who got stranded on Agatti for four extra days because no boats were running. He was philosophical about it, but he also missed his connecting flight home.
Lakshadweep doesn't have major tourist-facing festivals, but the Eid celebrations (dates vary by Islamic calendar) are significant given the Muslim-majority population. If you happen to be there during Eid, the communal feasts are warm and welcoming.
The annual Lakshadweep Maritime Festival (typically January-February) showcases traditional boat-building, fishing competitions, and cultural performances. Check with the tourism office for specific dates.
Peak/Early Season (Oct-Feb):
Late Season (Mar-May):
The food doesn't change dramatically by season — fresh fish and coconut-based dishes year-round. But peak season brings better variety because supply ships run more frequently. Late season means you might eat tuna curry five days running. I say that as a compliment — the tuna here is caught daily and prepared simply. It's outstanding.
The local specialty, thengapalchoru (coconut rice), paired with the daily catch from small eateries on Agatti (100-200 INR) is consistently one of the best meals under $3 I've had anywhere.
Day 1: Arrive Agatti, settle in, afternoon swim in the lagoon, sunset from the western shore
Day 2: Morning kayaking, snorkeling the western reef, glass-bottom boat ride (300-500 INR/person), local eatery dinner
Day 3: Boat to Bangaram (1.5 hours), snorkel the reef, stargazing at night (zero light pollution), sleep to the sound of waves
Planning your trip? Read our The Complete Guide to Lakshadweep: India's Last Untouched Paradise for more details.
Planning your trip? Read our The Night I Slept Under the Milky Way on an Uninhabited Indian Island for more details.
Late November. Early enough to avoid peak crowds and flight nightmares, late enough that the seas are reliably calm and visibility is almost at its best. The coral has recovered from monsoon, the manta rays are showing up, and the Bangaram Resort still has availability.
Get that permit application in 4 weeks ahead. Book the flight the moment it opens on the Air India website. And prepare yourself for water that will ruin every other beach vacation you take for the rest of your life.
Seasonal
Seasonal
Seasonal
