India’s Agatti Island is just 7.5 kilometers long and as it is extremely slender, it covers just 2.7 square kilometers. While the island itself is tiny, it is surrounded by magnificent coral reefs in pristine condition, filled to overflowing with all kinds of magnificent marine life, large and small. Agatti Island is home to the only airstrip in Lakshadweep, and features a lovely 17.5 square kilometer lagoon. While the island is surrounded by a number of excellent dive sites, a few stand out from the crowd. Here are just seven of the best.
Fish Soup on the Rocks
A fantastic site with large rocks covered in coral, and surrounded by a forest of hard coral that rises up from the sandy bottom in colorful profusion, Fish Soup on the Rocks is ideal for all divers. Here, you’ll find swarms of colorful anthias and clouds of brilliant butterfly fish, big Moorish idols and lots of snapper, along with parrotfish and the occasional red toothed triggerfish. The site is also frequented by sea turtles, which can sometimes be found napping among the rocks. While maximum depth here is 20 meters, there is plenty to see in as little as six meters of water.
Mauritius Point
Located at the island’s slender tip, Mauritius Point features magnificent hard and soft coral of all kinds, including some wonderful plate corals, beneath which one can find crabs and lobsters, shrimp, and small fish. While maximum depth here is 16 meters, the reef begins in just 6 meters of water, and is suitable for all divers. Keep an eye out for turtles, and watch for groupers and moray eels among the rocks. On the outside edge of the reef, you’ll see passing pelagics, including some barracuda and jacks.
Alice in Wonderland
As the site’s name suggests, Alice in Wonderland features mushroom shaped coral formations which are simply astonishing. Here, you’ll find lots of triggerfish and sweetlips, quite a few cobia and jacks, and some stealthily grinning barracuda, along with butterfly fish and anthias, nudibranchs, and scores of crustaceans. Beautifully lit from above, the site features maximum depth at just 14 meters, and has just a little current most of the time.
Japanese Garden
Probably the best site Agatti Island has to offer, Japanese Garden features a lush coral garden in six meters of water, which extends to a wall that drops away to 35 meters. Here, you’ll find a wealth of reef fish and crustaceans, along with moray eels and groupers, snapper, and turtles, plus the occasional shark and plenty of pelagics, including jacks and barracuda. There is a bit of current here, allowing for a drift along the wall. Watch for eagle rays and turtles, too.
Coral Fantasies
Although this site is quite shallow, with maximum depth at just 12 meters, it features huge table corals stacked one atop another, along with other hard and soft coral varieties and big bouquets of brilliant sponges. Clouds of anthias and groups of angelfish, Moorish idols, butterfly fish, and others add a magical touch, while little critters are everywhere.
Paschlewwar Bay
An excellent site for all divers, and featuring maximum depth at just 20 meters, Paschlewwar Bay is home to turtles and eagle rays, oriental sweetlips and red toothed triggerfish, lots of snappers, and plenty of other tropical species. Great for underwater photography!
Jenkins Playground
While maximum depth at Jenkins Playground is 24 meters, the sights begin in just 7 meters of water, making it ideal for all divers. Here, among stands of colorful coral and sponge, you’ll find an endless array of tropical fish and crustaceans, along with rays and turtles. Keep an eye out for napping nurse sharks, too!
The island’s outer reefs are only diveable between September 15th and May 15th, and there is a no touch policy in place. In addition, fish feeding is not permitted. A trip to the Lakshadweep Islands, including Agatti Island requires advance planning, as all visitors to the islands are required to obtain a permit for entry. Local dive operators are happy to assist with this process. Be prepared for Indian hospitality at its finest – wonderful things await!