Viringili Island

Viringili Island is a small uninhabited islet forming part of Minicoy Atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India, located southwest of the main Minicoy Island. Known historically as a former leper colony, the islet is characterized by white sandy beaches, coconut palms, and a surrounding lagoon with coral reefs. Accessible only by boat from Minicoy, it offers a secluded natural setting within the Arabian Sea atoll ecosystem.

Visitors can expect a small, uninhabited coral islet with white sandy beaches, coconut palms, and clear lagoon waters surrounded by coral reef. The island has no permanent settlement or facilities and is reached by a short boat ride from Minicoy Island. Visitors can walk along the shoreline, view the lagoon and atoll scenery, and observe the quiet natural environment. There are no shops or structures except sparse vegetation and remains associated with its former use as an isolation site.

Viringili was historically used as an isolation site and leper colony for inhabitants of Minicoy, particularly during the British period, and was also used to isolate smallpox patients, hence the alternate name Smallpox Island.

The islet is part of Minicoy Atoll, which has distinct Maldivian cultural and linguistic influences within Lakshadweep, and reflects traditional atoll practices of using separate islets for isolation and community health purposes.