The lagoon that wraps around Kavaratti is the island's defining feature: shallow, intensely turquoise water protected by the coral reef from the open sea, with a sandy bottom that makes it safe for swimming and snorkelling at almost any point along the shore. The water temperature hovers around 28–30°C year-round.
The coral reefs just outside the lagoon boundary are among the best-preserved in India — largely because Lakshadweep's isolation has kept mass tourism at bay. Snorkelling from the shore reveals brain corals, staghorn corals, and a dense population of reef fish. Glass-bottom boat tours operate from the jetty if you want to see the reef without getting in the water.
Water sports — kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and windsurfing — are organised through the Lakshadweep Tourism guesthouses. Equipment hire is available but limited; serious divers should bring their own gear. The best snorkelling is in the early morning before the breeze picks up and reduces visibility.