Exotic ‘bioluminescent' island that wants to be the next Maldives has beautiful new resort
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN EXOTIC island wants to be an alternative to the Maldives - and it has a fancy new hotel resort.
Bangaram Island is in Lakshadweep, India, an archipelago of 36 atolls, yet is often overlooked by Brits due to it's lack of direct UK flights.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
The resort on Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, India, has 45 cocoon-shaped rooms and five shell-shaped rooms
Credit: dizcoverpraveg.com
6
The island offers many activities including scuba diving
Credit: dizcoverpraveg.com
6
At night, the water surrounding the island glows blue due to plankton
Credit: Alamy
However, a huge redevelopment of the island is being pushed forward for it to "rival the Maldives," Forbes reports.
Following a visit to the islands from the Prime Minister, India's largest online travel company reported a 3,400 per cent increase in searches for Lakshadweep.
There are plans for two "world class" resorts to open across the islands, although if you want to head to Bangaram Island, there is already a new one to explore.
Praveg Resorts opened on the island back in January and features 45 cocoon-shaped rooms and five shell-shaped rooms.
The rooms are all designed with eco-friendly materials, emphasising the resort's focus on sustainable tourism.
The resort boasts a range of activities including snorkelling, scuba diving, breakfast by the sea and at night, the sea surrounding the island even turns bioluminescent.
At night, the waves and shore of the island glow with a blue light due to the bioluminescent plankton in the water.
The phenomenon is particularly common in during the monsoon season, between June and September.
Visitors can see the blue hues by walking along the shore or kayaking at night, however some plankton species may produce toxins so it is best not to swim.
Back on the sand and in the light of day, little hermit crabs can often be spotted scurrying across the island's beaches.
The Spanish resort with Maldives-style overwater hotel rooms and floating Bali breakfasts
In addition, many creatures can be seen on dives and snorkelling adventures including parrot fish, coral reefs, tuna, seahorses, sting rays, clown fish, surgeonfish - or perhaps better known as Dori - and sea turtles.
For those who want to stay on the island, the beach features hammocks to lounge in whilst soaking up the Indian sun.
One user commented on social media: "Bangaram Island is like a dreamy slice of heaven in Lakshadweep!
"The water's colors are pure wizardry, leaving me spellbound. We landed at the fabulous Atoll Praveg, which is way more than a beach tent - it's like stepping into a beach fairy tale!
"With jaw-dropping views, crystal-clear waters, and adrenaline-pumping water sports, plus top-notch service from our host Praveg, our escape was nothing short of legendary."
Another added: "Small pearl in the middle of a wonderful sea.
6
However, the island is not easy for Brits to get to
Credit: dizcoverpraveg.com
"Very fine white sand, palm trees, mangroves and a small lake in the center of the island."
A similar resort is located on Thinnakara, a neighbouring island and features 85 cocoon-shaped rooms and 15 shell-shaped rooms.
However, whilst the islands look to being a great alternative to the Maldives, it isn't the easiest for Brits to get to them.
At the moment, the best way to get to Lakshadweep is by flying to Mangalore and then getting a ferry for two hours to the islands.
And the flights are also not direct, with a couple of layovers sometimes necessary.
6
Currently, Brits would need to get on at least a couple of flights and a ferry to reach the island
Credit: dizcoverpraveg.com
In total, Lakshadweep has 36 islands and in Malayalam and Sanskrit means 'a hundred thousand islands'.
It is India's smallest Union Territory, stretching only 32 square kilometres.
Amongst the islands, 10 are inhabited and there are three reefs and five submerged banks.
The capital of the region is Kavaratti, which is known for its beautiful beaches and lagoons, as well as full-service scuba facilities.
There are several other destinations across the globe that look like the Maldives, but are actually cheaper to go to.
Also, stunning 'British Maldives' are one of the warmest places in the UK.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Brits reveal holiday spending disasters and the simple fix
A poll of 2,000 travellers found one had mistakenly stumped up £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in Rome, while another bought a T-shirt for £80 that they thought was £10. In fact, almost a third (30 per cent) felt they have often paid more for something on holiday because they were a tourist. (Image: Post Office) Other shocking expenses accidentally incurred by respondents included a single shot of whiskey ending up at £48. While someone forked out £25 for a taxi ride in Amsterdam – only to find themselves arriving at their destination after less than a mile. Brits have revealed some of the most expensive things they've bought by accident - in another country. (Image: Getty Images) The research showed travellers often suffer with currency confusion, as a fifth (21 per cent) admitted to getting confused about how much money is worth 'in pounds' when they go away - leading to a quarter (26 per cent) of holiday goers paying more than expected for something. Six in 10 correctly knew £5 sterling would get them between $6-$7 in the US, the remaining 40 per cent were clueless, with a quarter (24 per cent) of them guessing they'd get less than $6. Probably the most common conversion for Brits – euros – also confused respondents, with almost a third (32 per cent) not knowing what £5 would get them. Instead of the correct answer of €5-€6, 17 per cent thought it would be less than €5 and 13 per cent thought it would be as high as €8. With nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) attempting to work out local currency rates in their own heads, it's no wonder Brits sometimes get it wrong. While just over one in 20 (six per cent) will ask somebody nearby and then take their word for it. Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, which commissioned the research to raise awareness of its Travel Money Card said: 'Our research reveals many travellers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currencies on the go, and that can lead to overspending. "We wanted to highlight how easily confusion around exchange rates can impact holiday budgets - no one wants to waste time abroad worrying about money. It's surprising that only 19 per cent of travellers use a prepaid travel card, such as our Travel Money Card, for their spending abroad when it can allow travellers to lock in a good rate before travelling. The Post Office Travel App also allows you to check exchange rates and track spending in real time too, allowing holidaymakers to relax knowing their holiday finances are under control.' To find out more, visit Thankfully, 17 per cent rely on currency conversion apps - like the Post Office Travel App when topping up their Travel Money Card - to stop them accidentally spending a fortune on a holiday keepsake. Reassuringly, when it comes to money safety, Brits are taking measures to keep their money more secure while travelling. 49 per cent use a separate card not linked to their main bank account for spending abroad – keeping their 'main funds' safe from fraudsters or thieves. Laura Plunkett added: 'Nothing disrupts a holiday like a financial mishap. Keeping your travel money separate from your main account is a smart move to give you greater control, clearer visibility of what you're spending, and an extra layer of protection – and something 96 per cent of respondents agreed was important. "Whether you're budgeting carefully or just want to avoid mixing travel purchases with everyday costs, this small step can make a big difference to your trip.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bus users protected from price hikes as Rachel Reeves gives update on £3 cap
Rachel Reeves is expected to extend the nationwide price cap on single trips for bus passengers in the Spending Review - which was due to run out at the end of the year Bus passengers will be protected from fare hikes as the £3 cap on single tickets is set to be extended. In a major boost for bus users, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to protect the nationwide price cap on single trips, which had been due to run out at the end of the year. The cost-of-living lifeline will now be in place across England until March 2027, the Mirror understands. Single fares could rise by up to £12 in the worst hit areas if the cap is lifted. The Department for Transport previously said a journey between Leeds and Scarborough could cost £15, while a fare from Hull to York would hit £8.50. The decision, which will be confirmed in the Spending Review on Wednesday, is a major boost to millions of Brits who rely on buses every day. A Treasury source told the Mirror: 'We understand the cost of living is a priority for the British people. That is why we are investing in Britain's renewal to make working people better off. Rachel Reeves' Spending Review major predictions on what will and won't be in it 'That's why we're keeping bus fares down by extending the £3 cap to put more money in people's pockets.' The cap covers around 5,000 bus routes across England, costing the Treasury around £150million a year to keep fares at £3. The Tories previously introduced a £2 cap on bus fares but only provided funding until the end of 2024. Last year, Keir Starmer said it would rise to £3 for 2025 but its future was uncertain beyond the end of this year. A Government source said: "Buses provide lifeline access to opportunity for people across the country. "Keeping fares affordable is a top priority for the Transport Secretary, as our landmark Buses Bill overhauls how services are delivered. Better buses are around the corner with Labour." The Chancellor will unveil plans to splash tens of billions of pounds on public services such as the NHS, defence and schools over the next three years in the long-awaited Spending Review on Wednesday. But other departments are expected to feel the squeeze, with cuts looming to unprotected areas such as local government and the Home Office. Ministers have been locked in fraught negotiations for months over their budgets. The final settlement for the Home Office was only signed off on Monday after a row with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over cash for policing. Ms Reeves will also announce funding for infrastructure investment, including big ticket items like road, rail and energy projects. She will confirm changes to Treasury rules to make it easier to pour cash into projects outside of London and the South East. It comes after a blitz of announcements, including some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. Ms Reeves also confirmed on Monday that some 9 million pensioners would be eligible for the winter fuel allowance this year after backtracking on the unpopular decision to strip the benefit from all but the poorest pensioners. The Government also announced plans to expand free school meals eligibility to another 500,000 children whose families get Universal Credit, in a major win for the Mirror's campaign to end hunger in classrooms.
North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Tourists' 'most expensive' currency mistakes abroad - including £30 can of Coke
Holidaymakers have revealed some of the most expensive purchases they've unwittingly made whilst on their travels. A poll of 2,000 globetrotters found that nearly a third felt they were often overcharged for goods due to being tourists. One unfortunate traveller forked out £30 for a single glass of Coca-Cola in Rome, while another unsuspectingly splashed out £80 on a T-shirt, thinking it was only £10. Other unexpected costs reported by participants included coughing up an eye-watering £48 for a single shot of whiskey. Another individual paid £25 for a taxi journey in Amsterdam, only to find out their destination was less than a mile away. The research, carried out by the Post Office, suggested that holidaymakers often grapple with 'currency confusion' - getting mixed up about the value of money 'in pounds' when abroad. This has led to a quarter of people paying more than they expected for an item. The most common currency conversion for Brits, changing to euros, also left respondents puzzled, with almost a third unsure of how much £5 would be in Euros. Furthermore, 40 per cent were clueless about the exchange rate for dollars. According to the study, four in ten attempt to work out local currency rates in their heads, while 6 per cent will ask a nearby person and then take their word for it. Laura Plunkett, the head of travel money at Post Office, said: "Our research reveals many travellers overestimate their ability to mentally convert currencies on the go, and that can lead to overspending. "We wanted to highlight how easily confusion around exchange rates can impact holiday budgets - no one wants to waste time abroad worrying about money." The study was commissioned to promote the Post Office's Travel Money Card, as well as their Travel App which allows holidaymakers to check exchange rates and monitor spending in real time. "It's surprising that only 19% of travellers use a prepaid travel card for their spending abroad when it can allow travellers to lock in a good rate before travelling," Laura expressed. In contrast, nearly half of the travellers prefer to use a separate card not linked to their main bank account when spending overseas, aiming to protect their principal money from thieves. Laura went on to say: "Nothing disrupts a holiday like a financial mishap. Keeping your travel money separate from your main account is a smart move to give you greater control, clearer visibility of what you're spending."
