Kurumgad Island

About Kurumgad Island

Kurumgad Beach is shaped like a tortoise. It is a perfect place to avoid all the commotion of the city life and thus enjoy the untouched beauty of the Mother Nature at is best. No matter, whether one is young or old, Kurumgad beach serves as an ideal place for leisure to people of each and every age. One can go to view the beautiful abandoned lighthouse located near the beach. The beach is a very beautiful & enchanting and one can see various creatures like the dolphin, otters, etc. around the beach. The period between Octobers to may is the ideal time for visiting the place.

Interesting things to do

Water Sports : It is an ideal place for enjoying the activities such as Trekking, Fishing, Dolphin and Seal-spotting, Boat Rides to neighboring islands, Bonfire and Barbecues, Tidal Pool, diving, snorkeling, or treasure hunts.

Leisure Walk : Enjoy panoramic view of the sea, sand and the neighboring islands along the tortoise shaped boundary of the Island. Gaze twinkling stars in night.

Interesting things to Visit

Approach to Kurumgad Island is mainly by boat from Sadhashivgad jetty on the backwaters of River Kali at Karwar. Kurumgad Island is just 1 km away from Devbagh Beach, Karwar.

Kurumgad Beach is very popular for the Narasimha temple, which becomes a major attraction. It has many legends associated with it. A fair is held every year on the full moon day during the Pushya (December - January) month. Thousands of devotees congregate at this island on this particular day to offer prayers. An old fort is there on this picturesque island.

Location info

• **Address:**Kurumgad Island is one of the reclusive Islands located around 4km from main land, in the state of Karnataka.

• **District:**Karwar

• **Nearest City:**Karwar

• Best time to visit: The best time to visit is from September to March.

Climate & weather

Climate / Weather - Summers 22°- 40°C. Winter 10°- 32°C.

How to reach Kurumgad Island

• **Nearest Railway Station:**he railway station is located at Shirwad, 5 km away from Karwar.

• **Nearest Airport:**Goa, Belgaum, Mangalore

• **Road Transport:**The beach is well connected by road and is around 524kms from Bangalore. Karwar is well connected by roads.

**Through Water:**Kurumgad Island can be reached by travelling by ferry from Sadhashivgad Boat Jetty on the backwaters of River Kali at Karwar. This island is 1 km from Devbagh Beach, which is easily accessible from Karwar.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation can be arranged at Great Outdoors Island Resort.
The Great Outdoors Island Resort, Karwar - The Great Outdoors - Island ResortKurumgad Island is a secluded retreat with untouched natural splendour; a remote haven located 4 kms into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka, India. A 20-minute motorboat ride takes you to this island hideaway where you can enjoy the wealth of God’s bounty. Rejuvenate your soul amidst the eco-friendly rustic ambience. Enjoy living in tents and bamboo cottages beneath a moonlit sky. Experience breathtaking seascapes & dazzling sunsets. Indulge in adventure with nature walks, swimming, fishing, bonfires and barbecues, dolphin spotting, boat rides, aqua sports, rock climbing and much more.

Nearest visiting places

• Basavaraja Durga Island

The Island of Basavaraja Durga is about a km from main land off Honnavar. You can reach the island through boats and small coasters. The landing place is at the south end where there is a ruined fort with eight mounted guns

• Darya Bahadurgadh Island

Darya Bahadurgadh Island : Daria-Bahadurgad Island the northern-most island also close to near Udupi or Malpe is famous for its export of processed fish. While on this Island you can visit the Balarama Temple and Malpe’s oldest tile factory

• Devbagh Island

Karnataka’s undiscovered gem, Devbagh is a destination with a difference. Pristine beaches, casuarina plantations and an eco- friendly environment beckon the adventurous tourist. SUSHEELA NAIR writes about this romantic getaway which offers complete privacy and solitude

• Kurumgad Island

Kurumgad Island is a remote haven, located 4 km into the Arabian Sea from Karwar. This tortoise-shaped island, 6 km from Baithakola in Karwar harbor, offers a beautiful view of the sea. Tourists can enjoy exotic beach walks, nature walks, swimming, fishing, bonfires and barbecues, dolphin spotting, boat rides and snorkeling

• Sadashivgad Island

Sadashivgad is a small village across the Kali river from the town of Karwar in Uttara Kannada. There is an abandoned fort built circa 17th century, and a temple to goddess Durga. The hill on the island offers spectacular views of the Kali river and Arabian sea

• Sanyasi Island

Sanyasi Island:Most of the Island resorts provide a complimentary boat trip to the Sanyasi Island. There is an interesting legends about this Island, in ancient times, a sage sought refuge on this island for penance and hence the name

• Gokarna Temples

Gokarna situated in coastal Karnataka is 453 kms from Bangalore and about 55 kms from Karwar, the District headquarters. It is described as a Shaiva Centre, as important as Kashi and Rameshwar. History has it that the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples (the last places is very near Karwar)

• Honnavar Temple

Honavar or Honnavar is a port Town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The town is the headquarters of Honnavar taluk.History: The first ever historical reference about the Honavar town appears in the works of the Greek author Periplus (AD 247) and it was called Naour.[citation needed] It was mentioned as the first port of Limurike in Tamil country

• Banavasi Historical

Located on the border of Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts, the ancient temple town of Banavasi has been a great religious hub for ages. The fact that it is regarded the most ancient city of India after Varanasi, speaks volumes about rich heritage of Banavasi

• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the banks of River Kali, amidst thick forests and hills of Uttara Kannada District. The sanctuary is at a distance of 125 kms from Goa, 117 kms from Karwar, 95 kms from Belgaum and at 400 kms from Banglore.Dandeli offers you much more than the sundry outings and picnics

• Anshi National Park

Anshi National Park is Karnataka In the district of Uttar Kannada Anshi National Park is located. The scenic beauty of this park is non-parallel. An animal lover will definitely fall in love with Anshi National Park. The flora of this place has been blessed with plants like eucalyptus, bamboo, teak, xylia xylocarpa, silver oak, bauhinia and others

• Bhatkal Archeology

The west coast style of south India starts from here. The roofs of the buildings are steep since it rains heavily in the western Ghats. They are mostly wooden constructions as in Kerala. In Karnataka , stone structures are prominent

• Benne Hole Falls

This glorious water falls is formed from the tributary of river “Aghanashini”, which flows in the Devimane Ghats region of the Western Ghats. The height of the falls is about 200ft. Benne Hole means big stream in Kannada. About 21kms from Sirsi to Kumta is place called Kasage, which is 6kms from the waterfalls

• Burude Falls or Dodmane Falls

This wonderful waterfall is around 20+kms from Siddapur and 55+kms from Sirsi, on Siddapur-Kumta road. The way to get down to the river is through a small creek which is dry in summer. And which will be full in rainy and winter seasons which makes the entry to the waterfall and the valley impossible

• Lalguli Falls

On your trip to Karnataka you can choose to visit its cascading waterfalls. The Western Ghats rising to an average of 900m converges into the Nilgiri Hills and offers to Karnataka a plethora of thundering waterfalls plummeting down from great heights

Tips & suggestions

Distance from Karwar -
1. Pangim (Goa): 100 km
2. Bangalore: 525 km
3. Dandeli: 117 km
4. Mangalore: 268 km
5. Hubli: 160 km
6. Belgaum: 167 km

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Karwar

• **Nearest Hospital:**Karwar

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Kurumgad Island

October to March is the best time to visit — calm seas and pleasant weather. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) when boat services may be suspended due to rough seas.

Timings & opening hours

Island access is typically during daylight hours (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Boat services to the island operate on specific schedules. Check boat timings in advance.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee may apply if the island is a protected or tourist destination. Boat ride charges: ₹100-₹500 per person depending on distance. Private boat charter: ₹2000-₹5000.

Duration needed

2-4 hours for a visit to the island including boat travel time. A half-day trip is usually sufficient to explore the island and return.

Safety tips

Wear a life jacket during boat travel. Follow boat safety instructions. Be careful on the island — terrain may be uneven. Carry sufficient water and food as island facilities may be limited. Inform the boat operator of your return time.

Things to carry

Life jacket (provided by boat operator), drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, swimwear (if appropriate), camera, waterproof bag for electronics, and a change of clothes.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station: on the Konkan Railway route. Nearest airport: Goa International Airport (GOI) or Mangalore International Airport (IXE). The nearest coastal jetty is accessible by road from the railway station.

History of Kurumgad Island

Kurumgad Island is a scenic island off the coast of Karnataka in the Arabian Sea. The island is part of Karnataka’s coastal geography and has historical significance — some islands along the Konkan coast have been home to ancient settlements, trading posts, and marine ecosystems. The island’s isolation has preserved its natural beauty and diverse marine life.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reach the island? The island is accessible by boat from the nearest coastal jetty. Boat services may be seasonal — check schedules in advance.

Are there facilities on the island? Facilities vary by island. Some have basic amenities while others are completely uninhabited. Carry sufficient water and food.

Is swimming safe in the surrounding water? Check local conditions for currents and marine life. Swim only in designated areas. Wear a life jacket during boat travel.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Islands

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Kurumgad Island

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Kurumgad Island on popular travel photography sites and social media.