Kadmat Island, in the Lakshadweep district of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, is a long, narrow coral atoll in the Arabian Sea, known for a shallow western lagoon, clear-water diving and a water-sports base. It belongs to the Amindivi group and is sometimes spelled Kadmath; an older name is Cardamom Island. Like all of Lakshadweep, it sits off India’s south-west coast and cannot be visited without an entry permit.
Kadmat Island is a thin coral island about 8 km long in the Amindivi group of Lakshadweep, roughly 407 km west of Kochi. It is reached by air to Agatti and then by boat, and it is built around a calm, shallow western lagoon used for snorkelling, diving and water sports. All visitors need a permit.
Key takeaways
- Kadmat is a narrow coral island in the Amindivi group of Lakshadweep, with a total area of 3.20 sq km and a 2011 population of 5,389 (Lakshadweep Administration).
- Its wide, shallow western lagoon has clear water with 20–50 m visibility and is an ideal spot for snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving (Lakshadweep Administration; Incredible India).
- The nearest airport is at Agatti; Kadmat lies about 77 km from Agatti and is reached by a fast boat transfer (Incredible India).
- Every non-islander, including Indian citizens, needs an entry permit via the official ePermit portal; from 2026, Indian tourists no longer need a local sponsor or police clearance certificate (Outlook Traveller, 7 May 2026).
- The diving season runs from 1 October to 1 May, and Lakshadweep’s tourism season is September to May (Incredible India; Lakshadweep Administration).
- Tourism is run largely by SPORTS, the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports, formed by the Lakshadweep Administration in 1982.
About Kadmat Island and quick facts
Kadmat Island is a low, narrow coral island in the Amindivi group of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, built around a long lagoon. According to the Lakshadweep Administration, the island has a total geographical area of 3.20 sq km and recorded a population of 5,389 in the 2011 Census, with a literacy rate of 95.50%.
The administration’s figures on length differ between pages: one summary gives about 8 km long and roughly 550 m wide at its widest, while another text mentions a maximum length of about 11 km. Treat Kadmat as a thin island of a few square kilometres rather than fixing on one dimension.
Do not confuse Kadmat (also written Kadmath) with Lakshadweep’s capital, Kavaratti, or with the resort islands of Bangaram and Agatti. Kadmat sits roughly 407 km (about 220 nautical miles) from Kochi, per the Lakshadweep Administration.
| Location | Amindivi group, Lakshadweep district, UT of Lakshadweep |
|---|---|
| Total area | 3.20 sq km |
| Approx. length / width | about 8 km long; up to roughly 550 m wide (admin summary) |
| Population (2011 Census) | 5,389 (literacy 95.50%) |
| Distance from Kochi | about 407 km (220 nautical miles) |
| Nearest airport | Agatti (AGX), about 77 km away |
| Lagoon | wide, shallow western lagoon; narrow eastern lagoon |
Best time to visit Kadmat Island
The best time to visit Kadmat Island is between October and April, within Lakshadweep’s September-to-May tourism season, when the sea is calm and transfers are reliable. The Lakshadweep Administration describes the tourism season as September to May; the south-west monsoon in between makes the Arabian Sea rough and boat transfers difficult.
For diving and snorkelling specifically, Incredible India’s dive information gives a season of 1 October to 1 May, when the Laccadives dive school on Kadmat runs its courses. Underwater visibility in the lagoon is reported at 20–50 m during the season.
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| October–April | Calm sea, clearest water | Best for diving, snorkelling, transfers; dive school open 1 Oct–1 May |
| May | Season tapering off | Dive season ends about 1 May; weather turning |
| June–August / early September | South-west monsoon | Rough sea; many transfers and packages do not run |
How to reach Kadmat Island
You reach Kadmat Island by flying to Agatti and then taking a boat, because Kadmat has no airstrip. According to Incredible India, Agatti holds the archipelago’s only airstrip and is the entry point for most visitors; Kadmat lies about 77 km from the airport and is reached by a fast boat, with passengers returned to Agatti in time for their flight out on day trips.
By sea from the mainland, Kadmat is about 407 km (220 nautical miles) from Kochi, and passenger ships and SPORTS cruise packages sail from Kochi into the islands during the season. Confirm the exact routing, vessel and timings with SPORTS or your authorised operator, because ships and schedules change between seasons.
| Leg | Mode | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland to Agatti | Air | Flights to Agatti (AGX), the islands’ only airstrip; main gateway |
| Agatti to Kadmat | Fast boat | about 77 km; inter-island boat transfer |
| Kochi to Lakshadweep | Ship | about 407 km; passenger ships and SPORTS cruises in season |
Things to do: diving, snorkelling and the lagoon
The main thing to do on Kadmat Island is get into its shallow western lagoon, which the Lakshadweep Administration calls an ideal spot for water sports. The lagoon is protected by a wall-like outer reef, keeps clear water with 20–50 m visibility, and is used for snorkelling, kayaking and diving.
Kadmat is home to the first Laccadives Dive Centre and School, according to Incredible India, which runs beginner-to-advanced courses through the dive season. The Lakshadweep Administration lists water-sports craft available on hire on the island: kayaks, pedal boats, sailing yachts, skiing boats and glass-bottomed boats. Its tourist-package material describes a “full-fledged water sports institute” on Kadmat, with swimming, snorkelling and kayaking, and scuba diving, windsurfing and parasailing for more adventurous visitors.
A glass-bottomed boat ride is the gentlest way to see coral and reef fish if you do not swim. Beyond the water, the island’s quiet, palm-fringed beaches and the walk along its narrow spine are the main land-based attractions; Kadmat is deliberately low-key rather than a built-up resort island.
| Activity | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Scuba diving | Laccadives Dive Centre and School | Courses beginner to advanced; season about 1 Oct–1 May |
| Snorkelling | Western lagoon | Clear water, 20–50 m visibility; reef-protected |
| Kayaking / pedal / sailing boats | Lagoon, on hire | Craft available for hire on the island |
| Glass-bottomed boat | Lagoon | Coral viewing without swimming |
| Beach time and walks | Island beaches | Quiet, palm-fringed; low-key atmosphere |
A suggested Kadmat itinerary
A short Kadmat trip of three to four nights is enough to dive or snorkel and still have slow beach days. The Lakshadweep Administration’s Kadmat package (the Marine Wealth Awareness Programme) is a 4-to-7-day trip reached by flight via Agatti, with 2 to 5 days on the island, so plan around those rhythms.
- Day 1 – Arrive: Fly to Agatti, transfer by boat to Kadmat, settle into your hut and get a first swim in the lagoon.
- Day 2 – Underwater: A try-dive or snorkelling session in the morning; an afternoon glass-bottomed boat ride or kayaking.
- Day 3 – Choose your pace: A second dive or a longer snorkel for keen divers; otherwise a slow beach day and a walk along the island.
- Day 4 – Depart: Morning lagoon time, then the boat back to Agatti in good time for your flight.
Because transfers depend on the sea and on flight timings, keep a buffer day on the mainland in case a boat is delayed.
Where to stay
Accommodation on Kadmat is run mainly by the government tourism body rather than private hotels. The Lakshadweep Administration describes tourist huts set among coconut-palm groves on beaches facing the lagoon, and SPORTS (the Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) operates tourist accommodation on Kadmat as one of its island bases.
Options are limited and book out in season, so reserve well ahead through SPORTS or an authorised operator at the same time as you apply for your permit. Foreign nationals, where permitted, are generally accommodated at SPORTS resorts. Because tariffs change each season and were not published in a form I could verify this session, treat any rate you are quoted as the current figure and confirm it in writing before paying.
- Government huts / SPORTS accommodation: beachfront huts among coconut palms, the standard Kadmat option.
- Packages: SPORTS sells Kadmat as part of flight-plus-stay programmes rather than room-only bookings.
- Private hotels: very limited; do not assume a wide choice as on mainland beaches.
Food to try
On Kadmat, meals are usually arranged through your resort or package rather than at independent restaurants, so food is simple and island-sourced. Lakshadweep cooking leans heavily on tuna (the mainstay local fish) and coconut, which appears in curries, chutneys and sweets.
Because supplies come by boat and the islands are ecologically fragile, menus are limited and seasonal; vegetarians and anyone with dietary needs should confirm arrangements with the resort in advance. Alcohol availability is restricted in Lakshadweep, so do not plan around it; check the current position when you book.
Budget breakdown
A Kadmat trip’s cost is driven by the Agatti flight and the SPORTS package rather than by on-island spending, which is minimal. The figures below are planning estimates only, not quoted tariffs, because current Kadmat package rates, flight fares and transfer costs were not verifiable from an official live source this session. Reconfirm every line with SPORTS or your operator before you pay.
| Item | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight to Agatti | From the mainland; fares vary widely by date | Indicative — reconfirm |
| SPORTS package (stay + transfers + some meals) | Sold as a programme rather than room-only | Indicative — reconfirm with SPORTS |
| Entry permit (PAP) | Reported at ₹300 per person (early 2024); may change | Reconfirm on ePermit portal |
| Green tax on arrival | Reported at ₹300 at Agatti (early 2024); may change | Reconfirm |
| Diving / activities | Charged separately by the dive school | Reconfirm on island |
Assumption: a flight-based package for one person sharing accommodation, in season, excluding personal shopping and tips. Because so much is bundled and volatile, ask SPORTS for a written, dated quote and build in a contingency.
Permits and rules
Yes, you need a permit for Kadmat: every non-islander, including Indian citizens, must hold an entry permit to visit any Lakshadweep island. Outlook Traveller (updated 7 May 2026) reports that entry permits remain compulsory for all non-islanders, and that the permit is applied for online.
From 2026, the rules were eased for Indian tourists: a local Lakshadweep sponsor is no longer required, and a police clearance certificate is no longer required, with security checks now handled by the Lakshadweep Police after you apply (Outlook Traveller, 7 May 2026). You must still apply at least 14 days before travel, state your exact dates and every island (including transit islands), and carry the approved permit. Transit is allowed only through Kavaratti or Agatti, for up to 12 hours, with no unscheduled stops.
Apply through the official ePermit portal (epermit.utl.gov.in). An earlier Outlook Traveller guide (dated January 2024) listed the Protected Area Permit fee at ₹300 per person and a separate green tax of ₹300 on arrival at Agatti, with permit validity of 30 days; treat these figures as indicative and reconfirm on the portal, as fees and validity change. Foreign nationals need a valid Indian tourist visa and are generally accommodated at SPORTS resorts. On other restrictions:
- Itinerary lock-in: you may only visit islands named in your approved permit; unscheduled island hopping is not allowed.
- Eco rules: Lakshadweep’s reefs and lagoons are fragile — follow reef-safe practices, do not touch or take coral, and respect plastic and waste rules.
- Drones/photography: assume restrictions apply in a sensitive island territory; seek permission rather than assuming it is allowed.
Practical tips
Treat Kadmat as a remote island where you plan ahead rather than improvise. The single most important step is to secure your entry permit before you book non-refundable flights and stays.
- Book in the right order: apply for the permit first (at least 14 days ahead), then confirm the package and flights once it is approved.
- Cash and connectivity: ATMs, card and UPI acceptance and mobile network are limited on small islands — carry enough cash and do not rely on data. Confirm current connectivity with your resort.
- Medical: island health facilities are basic and the mainland is hours away by boat or a flight; carry personal medicines and basic first aid, and buy travel insurance.
- Diving health: do not fly within the recommended interval after your last dive; plan your final dive earlier in the trip and follow your instructor’s surface-interval advice.
- Solo women travellers: Lakshadweep is generally quiet and low-crime, but facilities are limited; stick to SPORTS/authorised accommodation and keep your permit and ID on you.
- Packing: reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard for sun and coral, swim gear, a dry bag, a hat and modest clothing for the village; it is warm and humid year-round in season.
Nearby islands
Kadmat is one of several Lakshadweep islands, and most are only reachable with the same permit and through Agatti or by ship. Remember that you can only visit islands named on your approved permit, so decide any combination before you apply.
| Place | Distance / access | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Agatti | The islands’ only airstrip; gateway | Lagoon and the entry/exit point for Kadmat |
| Bangaram | Short boat ride from Agatti | Resort island with a noted lagoon |
| Kavaratti | Reached from Agatti by ship; UT capital | Administrative hub; diving via the SPORTS office |
| Kalpeni / Minicoy | Covered by SPORTS ship cruises | Classic multi-island cruise stops |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Kadmat Island?
Yes. Every non-islander, including Indian citizens, needs an entry permit to visit Kadmat or any Lakshadweep island, applied for online via the official ePermit portal. Outlook Traveller (7 May 2026) reports permits remain compulsory for all non-islanders. Apply at least 14 days ahead and carry the approved permit.
How do I reach Kadmat Island?
You fly to Agatti, the only airstrip in Lakshadweep, then take a boat to Kadmat. According to Incredible India, Kadmat is about 77 km from Agatti and reached by a fast boat transfer. From the mainland, Kadmat is roughly 407 km from Kochi, also served by passenger ships and SPORTS cruises in season.
What is the best time to visit Kadmat?
The best time is October to April, within Lakshadweep’s September-to-May tourism season, when the sea is calm. The Lakshadweep Administration gives the season as September to May; Incredible India puts the diving season at 1 October to 1 May. The monsoon months between make the Arabian Sea too rough for reliable transfers.
What can you do on Kadmat Island?
Kadmat is built for the water: snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and glass-bottomed boat rides in a clear, shallow lagoon. The Lakshadweep Administration calls the western lagoon an ideal spot for water sports, and Incredible India notes Kadmat hosts the first Laccadives Dive Centre and School, with visibility of 20–50 m.
Do foreign nationals need a visa for Kadmat?
Yes. Foreign nationals need a valid Indian tourist visa in addition to the Lakshadweep entry permit, and are generally accommodated at SPORTS resorts. The Lakshadweep Administration’s tourism material states foreign nationals are permitted only with a tourist visa. Reconfirm current foreign-national rules on the official portal before booking.
How many days do you need on Kadmat?
Three to four nights are enough to dive or snorkel and still have slow beach days. The Lakshadweep Administration’s Kadmat package (the Marine Wealth Awareness Programme) runs 4 to 7 days via Agatti, with 2 to 5 days on the island, so plan a short, water-focused trip rather than a long one.
Last updated and sources
Kadmat suits divers, snorkellers and anyone wanting a quiet, low-built island rather than a resort strip. Go between October and April, and sort your permit before anything else.
Last updated: 31 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Lakshadweep Administration — Kadmat and island tourism pages (lakshadweep.gov.in/?p=2816, lakshadweep.gov.in/?p=22709) and Tourist Packages (lakshadweep.gov.in/tourism/tourist-packages); Incredible India Lakshadweep travel guide (incredibleindia.gov.in); Outlook Traveller — Lakshadweep permit guides (essential Lakshadweep guide, eased entry-permit rules, 7 May 2026); official ePermit portal (epermit.utl.gov.in). Accessed September 2026.
