11 Lakshadweep Tourism Facts Before You Plan

7. Moving between islands: ferries, dhows and charter options

Inter-island travel is part of the island experience, but it rarely looks like frequent, on-demand ferries you might find in other archipelagos. Scheduled government ferries handle some regular routes, while private speedboats, dhows or charters fill gaps depending on season and demand. For popular tourist islands, operators often run day trips and transfers, but smaller islands may only see service a few times a week. This affects day-trip plans and same-day connections. If your accommodation is on a different island from your arrival point, coordinate transfers before you leave the mainland. In practical terms, that means lining up transfer details with your hotel or booking operator, checking the boat type and travel time, and packing for sea conditions. Flexibility helps — delays happen — but planning ahead reduces stress and keeps your trip focused on enjoying the lagoons rather than chasing connections.