Kadmat is a teardrop-shaped coral island located in the Laccadive Sea, forming part of the Amindivi group, which constitutes the northernmost islands of Lakshadweep. It is situated approximately 407 kilometers (253 miles) off the coast of Kochi on the Indian mainland.
The island's physical geography is defined by its remarkable slenderness; it stretches roughly 8 kilometers in length but is exceptionally narrow. The eastern side of the island features a steep coral reef that drops sharply into the deep sea, while the western side is blessed with a spectacular, shallow lagoon that spans about 2 kilometers in width. This lagoon acts as a natural buffer, protecting the island from the rough ocean swells and providing a calm, biologically rich nursery for diverse marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and countless species of reef fish.
Kadmat is devoid of rivers, lakes, or significant freshwater bodies, relying instead on a delicate freshwater lens floating above the denser seawater beneath the island's sandy surface. The native vegetation is dominated by dense coconut groves, which thrive in the sandy, saline soil.