Agatti Island (Malayalam: അഗത്തി ഐലന്റ്), also known as Agathy, is a 5.6 km long island, situated on a coral atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. It is located about 459 km (285 mi) off Kochi in the mainland and 7 km to the southwest of Bangaram, the nearest island. Kavaratti, the closest inhabited island, lies 54 km to the SE and the uninhabited Suheli Par atoll 76 km to the south. Agatti's total land area is approximately 2.7 km² (1 sq mi). The small island of Kalpitti is located at the southern end on the same reef.[1]
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Its population as per the last census was 5667 and at present time its above 8000, all of the inhabitants are of Muslim, religion which is said to have been brought by Arab traveller Ibn Batuta. Most people speak Malayalam and English. Agatti has its own 100kw power house which uses fuel to generate electricity.
Access by sea requires a 24 hour journey by ship; flight time from Kochi is 75 minutes. Agatti Aerodrome is the only airport in Lakshadweep. Indian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines operate daily ATR72 flights from Kochi.[2]
Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands open to tourism. Visitors, however, are allowed to the Island under certain restrictions. they are required to obtain Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for entering or visiting the island. Entry Permit is issued based on the visitor having a confirmed place to stay. There are only two hotels or resorts in Agatti: Agatti Island Beach Resort (AIBER) and the other is Sea Shells Beach Resort. A road runs through the island, which can be best enjoyed by hiring a bicycle available at many places.