St. Mary's Island

Weather :

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

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St. Mary's Island, Udupi Overview

The land where Vasco De Gama set his first foot, the land whose geological importance is immense and whose beauty is spectacular, is St. Mary's Island, Karnataka. A quaint island just off the coast of Udupi, St. Mary's Island is an island of white sand beaches, rock monoliths and great wildlife making it a mesmerizing place to be in.

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.

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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.

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St. Mary's Island Reviews

Your rating

Rudratandav N

on St. Mary's Island 6 years ago
Apart from the rocky beach, perfect for a game of hide & seek with friends and a great sunset with a date, Its too boring for a solo traveler to spend 300 bucks for boat ride to the island. The s (Read More)ea walk on the malpe beach is a much better option.

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