Bangaram
India · Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is India's archipelago in the Arabian Sea — a string of coral atolls more closely related to the Maldives than mainland India. Bangaram is the most accessible diving island. Permit-only entry keeps numbers low.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Atoll reefs with limited monitoring data but considerable diver pressure protection. Cover has thinned modestly.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 36% to 32%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 36% |
| 2024 | 32% |
What you will see
19 species across the dive sites here
Tawny Hermit Crab
Seen 5 months ago
at Bangaram Atoll
Small Giant Clam
Seen 5 months ago
at Bangaram Atoll
Least concern
Green sea turtle
Seen 5 months ago
at Manta Point Bangaram
Least concern
Powder Blue Tang
Seen 5 months ago
at Bangaram Atoll
Least concern
Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse
Seen 6 months ago
at Kadmat Island
Least concern
Pleated Nerite
Seen 6 months ago
at Kadmat Island
Ocypode celadon
Seen 6 months ago
at Kadmat Island
Bigeye trevally
Seen 6 months ago
at Kadmat Island
Least concern
Reef manta ray
Seen 7 months ago
at Manta Point Bangaram
Vulnerable
Whitetip reef shark
Seen May 2024
at Bangaram Atoll
Vulnerable
Manta Ray
Seen May 2024
at Bangaram Atoll
Vulnerable
Five-Saddle Parrotfish
Seen Apr 2024
at Bangaram Atoll
Least concern
Reef Shark
Seen Apr 2024
at Kadmat Island
Vulnerable
Napoleon Wrasse
Seen Mar 2024
at Kadmat Island
Endangered
Asian Koel
Seen Feb 2024
at Kadmat Island
Least concern
Giant moray
Seen year round
at Manta Point Bangaram
Least concern
Grey reef shark
Seen year round
at Manta Point Bangaram
Endangered
Yellowfin tuna
Seasonal visitor
at Manta Point Bangaram
Least concern
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Rare sighting
at Bangaram Atoll
Least concern
Dive sites
What divers say
Maldivian water clarity at a fraction of the cost, and you almost certainly won't see another foreigner.
Good to know
Permit
Foreign nationals need a special permit; the resort handles it.