13 Islands in India You Should Visit With Family

India is a tropical country filled with the most beautiful places to visit. No matter what your holiday style, there is bound to be a place to enjoy and feel like you have experienced your perfect vacation.

Island vacations give you a truly tropical and relaxing vibe, having been made popular by the entertainment industry as the places to be for a memorable vacation. Luckily, it isn’t just islands like Hawaii or Bali where you can have one of the best vacations of all time. India has plenty of options for us to explore, each with its own unique attractions, cultures and beauty. From the laid-back and quaint Chorao Island in Goa to the happening island of Havelock which is a part of the Andaman islands, there are numerous islands our country is proud of.

13 Best Islands in India

Here are some of the best islands you should go to with your family:

1. Chorao Island, Goa

With the Portuguese influence still seen all around the island, Chorao island is quaint and is the place to be if you love birds, as it houses Goa’s largest bird sanctuary.

Nearby Visiting Places

 The island is 5 km away from Panjim, the state capital, and 10 km from Mapusa. You can take the ferry to places like Ribandar, a village 2 km away from Panjim, or travel by bridge from Mapusa or Aldona.

Best Time to Visit

 November to February is when the island experiences its most pleasant weather.

Where to Stay

 Villa Terra Rosa and other hotels are available for stay.

Activities

 The flora and fauna of the island are worth seeing. Ancient Portuguese style homes, churches and even old Hindu temples are known to gather their own visitors. The bird sanctuary is another attraction bringing visitors to the island.

2. Munroe Island, Kerala

Colonel John Munroe dug out many water canals that connect the eight island cluster that Munroe island is made up of.

Nearby Visiting Places

 Kollam is 25 km from the island.

Best Time to Visit

 The months between October and May is the best time to visit the island.

Where to Stay

Places like Munroe Island Lake Resort and Lake n River Resort Munroe Island are available. There are also houseboats for those who want to stay on the island.

Activities

You can visit the Thangassery Lighthouse, Palaruvi Falls, Jataya Earth’s Center and the Kollam Beach.

3. St. Mary’s Island, Karnataka

St. Mary’s island boasts of the remnants of the Basaltic lava that was created by Madagascar sub-volcanic activities.

Nearby Visiting Places

 Malpe Beach is only a ferry ride away from St. Mary’s island.

Best Time to Visit

 The most attractive time for tourists is between October and January.

Where to Stay

Udupi is the place to stay when visiting St. Mary’s as the island itself does not have any places to stay.

Activities

Malpe beach has silvery sand that is unique to it. You can visit the ruins that were once Daria Bahadurgarh Fort or the Vadabandeshwara Temple.

4. Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu

Offering its visitors a gorgeous view of the Bay of Bengal and situated off the coast from Tamil Nadu, Rameswaram island boasts of the longest sea-bridge in India.

Nearby Visiting Places

Pamban can be reached from the island by cab and is 10 km away.

Best Time to Visit

December to February is the best time to visit this island since this is when it experiences the best weather.

Where to Stay

Hotel Rameswaram Grand, Hotel Pearl Residency and many others are available on the island for a comfortable stay.

Activities

Rameswaram has many wonderful places to visit, including Agniteertham, Ramanathaswamy Temple, Gandamadana Parvatham that is only 3 km away.

5. Havelock Island, Andaman

This island is the perfect place for your typical beach holiday with family. The intense blue waters come right up to meet the soft sand of the coast, giving this island the title of having one of the best beaches in the world.

Nearby Visiting Places

You can visit the Elephant Beach, Vijaynagar Beach, Kalapathar Beach and Radhanagar Beach when on this Island.

Best Time to Visit

From October to May, Havelock island experiences mild weather, making it the perfect time for a holiday. It is at this time that you will be able to truly enjoy the different attractions it has to offer.

Where to Stay

Since it is a very popular tourist spot, there are plenty of available options when it comes to stay. The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa and Silver Sand Resort are just two examples.

Activities

Activities like trekking, scuba diving, and sea walks are something you can indulge in when on the island.

6. Elephanta Island, Mumbai

Elephanta island is called Gharapuri and is located northeast from Mumbai Harbour near the Gateway of India.

Nearby Visiting Places

Elephanta Island is near Mumbai and can be reached by ferry. The caves are a great place to visit as well as Cannon Hill. The Gateway of India and the Mumbai harbour are 10 km away.

Best Time to Visit

The months of March and November are the best months to visit Elephanta Island. The other months are humid and not comfortable for a holiday.

Where to Stay

As Elephanta Island does not have any hotels, you will need to find accommodation in the South of Mumbai to make it easier for you to make a trip to the island.

Activities

You can explore the caves, either on foot or mini-train. There are three Hindu temples and two Buddhist temples. UNESCO has declared that these caves are a world heritage site, making it something you must see.

7. Cochin Island, Kerala

This island is the largest artificial one in India. Rich with the colonial history of the country, Cochin island brings together the beauty of the water and the land.

Nearby Visiting Places

Fort Kochi is just a five minutes ferry ride away from the island.

Best Time to Visit

The pleasant winter months are between October to February, making this the ideal time to visit.

Where to Stay

There are many places that you can find accommodation, including Trident Cochin, Kochi Marriot Hotel, Taj Gateway Hotel and others.

Activities

Being an island that is rich in scenic beauty, it offers sight-seeing and relaxation as its main activities.

8. Neil Island, Andaman

If you are looking for coral islands in India that also allow you to enjoy a peaceful, quiet and relaxing holiday, this is the place for you. Otherwise called the “Vegetable Bowl” of the Andaman islands because of its climate, you will find the most healthy and delicious vegetables here.

Nearby Visiting Places

This island is connected to Havelock, Port Blair and Rangat by ferries run by the government.

Best Time to Visit

From October to February, Neil island experiences the best weather.

Where to Stay

Neil island has its own hotels and resorts that you can stay at including Hotel Amulya, Seashell Hotel, TSG Aura Hotel and others.

Activities

The perfect place to relax and enjoy time away from technology and other hectic activities, Neil island also offers you activities like snorkelling, diving, jungle treks, fishing and cycling.

9. Ponnumthuruthu Island, Kerala

Ponnumthuruthu island is located in the backwaters of Kerala where you can enjoy sandy beaches.

Source: Pinterest

Nearby Visiting Places

Varkala is a great place to visit alongside visiting Ponnumthuruthu Island. The Varkala Lighthouse and beach, Kappil Lake, Kaduvayil Jama Masjid and many others are places that you can think about including on your list.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is the perfect time to schedule this trip so that you can experience the beginning showers before monsoons start to set in.

Where to Stay

With places like the Mass Holidays Houseboat and Cosy Regency, there are many cosy places to stay.

Activities

Backwater tours are a popular attraction and Getaway Island with its lush environment has the ability to make you feel like you are in a whole other world, separate from the daily grind. Sightseeing is another activity that most people undertake to visit the famous Shiva Parvathi Temple located here.

10. Lakshadweep Islands

Located in the Indian Ocean, this cluster of islands is very famous and a great place to have an adventure-filled vacation. Visit the sandy beaches, lagoons and coral reefs of Agatti island or Kadmat island that provide adventure lovers an adrenaline rush with fun water activities.

Nearby Visiting Places

Other than Kochi, you can tour all the 36 Islands Lakshadweep has to offer.

Best Time to Visit

Between October to mid-May is the best time to visit Lakshadweep as the islands are visited by rains the rest of the year.

Where to Stay

The Lakshadweep Administration provides packages that include everything from tours to hotel and transportation.

Activities

Snorkelling and scuba diving are some fun activities you can try out other than exploring the islands. You can also try out other fun water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing, water skiing and so much more.

11. Majuli Island, Assam

This is one of the famous riverine islands in India as it the biggest river island in the world. The culture of the place is like none other.

Nearby Visiting Places

The Satras on the island are great to visit along with Dakhnipat Satra, Kamalabari Satra, Garmur, Tengapania and others.

Best Time to Visit

July to March is the best time to visit the island.

Where to Stay

The Satras have accommodation for tourists, though the island itself does not.

Activities

Indulge in crafts, sightseeing, and bird watching at this beautiful river island. Since Majuli has been Assam’s cultural capital for centuries, there are many things to see such as hermitages and monasteries and can be reached by a boat ride.

12. Barren Island, Andaman

Belonging to the Andaman islands in India, this island is known to hold the only active volcano in South Asia. Those who are interested in seeing how the topography associated with volcanoes is will find this a very fascinating place to visit.

Nearby Visiting Places

Port Blair is the closest attraction to visit other than the volcano itself.

Best Time to Visit

Between November and February is the best time to visit the island since it will not only be pleasant, but you will be able to see the volcano as well.

Where to Stay

As the island is uninhabited, it is best to stay at Port Blair to get a tour of the island.

Activities

Tours that take you to see the island are available and a popular attraction.

13. Netrani Island, Karnataka

Also known as Pigeon Island, the way to get to this holiday spot is through the coast of Murudeshwar.

Source: Pinterest

Nearby Visiting Places

While passing through the temple town, you may as well stop for a visit.

Best Time to Visit

The island’s peak tourist time is December to January as most of the activities are open then.

Where to Stay

The hotels in the locality are Sagar Kinara Beach Resort, KSTDC Mayura Gerusoppa and Kairali Residency.

Activities

Scuba diving and viewing marine life is an attraction along with the ruins of a temple, mosque and a Roman Catholic church.

Visiting islands is a wonderful experience, and there is no need to spend so much money going to foreign lands when there is so much to explore in our own country! Hopefully, this list of islands is something that will inspire you for your next holiday or give you ideas for one you are already planning. It can be quite difficult to make up your mind when all of them sound so good, so make a list of the things you want to get out of your holiday and pick the island that best suits your needs.

Also Read:

Fun Tourist Places in Mumbai for Kids
Child-Friendly Places in India You Must Visit
Family Weekend Destinations Near Mumbai