Name: St. Mary's Island
Rating: 4.0

St. Mary's Island

Udupi Karnataka

#1 Among Things To Do in Udupi

4.0 /5 (42 Votes)

Udupi Travel Packages

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5 Nights / 6 Days

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Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Island

Timings : Ferry from Malpe: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM,
June - September: Closed

Time Required : 3-4 hrs

Entry Fee : Entry: INR 250,
Camera: INR 200,
Ferry: INR 250-300

St. Mary's Island, Udupi Overview

St. Mary's Island, located just 4 miles off the coast of Karnataka in the Arabian Sea, is a geological treasure hosting some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It is a group of four individual islands: Coconut Island, North Island, South Island and Daryabahadurgarh Island. The shoreline is made up of crystalline rocks, formed at the time Madagascar Island separated from India.

Located just 4 miles off the coast of Karnataka in the Arabian Sea, St. Mary's Island is a geological treasure and hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. It is a group of four individual islands namely Coconut Island, North Island, South Island and Daryabahadurgarh Island. One can find a shoreline made up full of crystalline rocks which were created at the time Madagascar Island got separated from India. The enchanting site is wonderful but is yet to be truly discovered for its tourism potential. Watching the sunset standing on the crystalline rocks is one of the most alluring experiences on the island.

Best Time To Visit St. Mary's Island

The best time to visit St. Mary's Island is from October till January as the months see pleasant temperatures making outings to the beach comfortable and enjoyable. The beauty of the island is accentuated under the warm winter sun with pleasant temperatures. Comfortable cottons should be suitable.

Sightseeing Around St. Mary's Island

Daryabahadurgarh Fort, Vadabhandeshwara Temple and Malpe Beach are major tourist attractions in and around the area.

Food At St. Mary's Island

Udupi cuisine is a very delectable variety of Kannada cuisine and includes some delicious items such as spiced rice, Tambuli, Menaskai (Sambar) and Bakshya. Thamboolam, Mitra Samaj and Woodlands are some of the notable restaurants

Tips For Visiting St. Mary's Island

1. Carry lots of sunscreen, hats and drinking water as there are no provisions for such amenities on the island.
2. Avoid wearing sneakers and fancy footwears as the only way to the islands is though boating and the approach towards the last few yards may involve wading.
3. This place has no buildings or shops. So, don't be alarmed if you don't find many people wandering at the site.
4. There is a lone shack on the island, serving juice, water, and some snacks.

How to reach St. Mary's Island

The St.Mary’s Islands are 4 miles away from the coast and can be reached only through ferry services.

Timings: The ferry rides usually start from 9 AM till 5 PM. It is closed during the rainy season from June to September.

Cost: The ferry ride will cost you approximately INR 300 per person and the ride generally starts only after the ferry is completely full.

Distance Covered: It covers about 8 kilometres in distance

Duration: It usually takes around 25-30 minutes.

Air: The nearest airport is at Mangalore which is 58 km from Malpe, the boarding point of ferries for St. Mary's Island. One can easily get a cab or a bus for Malpe from the airport.
Rail: The nearest rail head is at Udupi, which is 4 km from Malpe. One can easily get an autorickshaws or a cab for Malpe.
Road: Malpe is well connected by road to Mangalore and Udupi. There are lots of public and private buses that connect Malpe to Mangalore and Udupi.
Sea: From Malpe Harbor regular ferry services can be availed to reach St. Mary's Island. Ferries are the only way in and out of the Island.