Kalpeni Island

Kalpeni is one of the most visually distinctive islands in Lakshadweep, comprising a main inhabited island and three tiny uninhabited satellite islands — Tilakkam, Pitti, and Cheriyam — all enclosed within a single vast, crystal-clear lagoon. The enclosed atoll creates perfect conditions for sailing, with steady trade winds and no ocean swell. The lagoon bottom is covered in white coralline sand and the water transitions from turquoise near the shore to deep cobalt at the outer reef. Kalpeni was one of the islands worst affected by the 1998 coral bleaching event, but the reef has now recovered significantly and supports a diverse range of marine life. The island has no dedicated diving centre but the snorkelling is among the best in Lakshadweep.