This crescent shaped island is located on the southern most tip. It is 10.6 kms long and is the second largest island after Andrott. Minicoy has one of the largest lagoons with a small uninhabited islet Viringili on its southern side. The island of Minicoy has a different story to tell. The people here speak Mahl a form of a language spoken at The Maldives. They maintain an identity that is still tradition bound and a culture that has evolved from being linked to the seas around them. The beaches have bathing huts for change. Pedal boats and Kayaks are available on hire.
History: Among all the islands, it has perhaps the oldest recorded history. Marco Polo referred to it as the “female” island. Ibn Batuta, the African Globe trotter who visited Maldives in the fourteenth Century, mentions about this beautiful island Muluk, from where he married two women during his short stay for seventy days.
How to get there: One can come here by ship as a part of Coral Reef and Swaying Palm packages.
Permits: Foreign nationals are not allowed on this island. Indian nationals need a permit as required in all others.
Where to stay: 3 tourist cottages and one 20-bedded tourist home have been constructed for staying tourists maintained by the inland authority SPORTS.
What to eat there: Food served is here is mostly the usual as served in all the other islands. If you wish to taste some Minicoy delicacy just ask for it in advance.
What to see:
The light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885.it is 300ft tall and was built by the British.
The tuna canning factory is the largest here and is included in your tour.
One can visit the villages,which can be distinguished by their color and the symbol. Some of them are Baada- Sedivalu and Kudhehi are White, Aoumagu-Blue, Boduathiri, Rammedu and Funhilol-Yellow and Falessery-Red. The island has systematically arranged village system known as "Athiris"; each athiri is a cluster of houses which is head by an elected elderly man called Mooppan. Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs were vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully decorated and maintained. One can go for a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads. Tempos are the only vehicles available here for road transport.
Performances and shows: Minicoy is renowned for its tradition dance - the ‘Lava’, Thaara’, ‘Dandi’, ‘Fuli’ and ‘Bandiya’ performed on festive occasions. The Lakshadweep tourism arranges for it. Colorful race boats called "Jahadhoni" are a feast to the eye of any tourist.
Shopping: The inhabitants love a profusion of colors, be it on the beautifully engraved tabletops that decorate their drawing rooms or on fishing boats or racing dhonis. One of the handicrafts of the people is boat modeling which is a piece of art painted in different colors. Shopping here includes all these colorful craft goodies.
