Sanyasi Island

Interesting things to Visit

The Om beach at Gokarna, shaped like the Hindu sacred symbol Om, is also worth visiting.

Location info

• **Address:**Uttara Kannada district on the Karnataka coast

• **District:**Uttara Kannada

• **Nearest City:**Karwar

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Karwar is between March and June or October and November. The rest of the year is better avoided since monsoon happens to be overactive in this region.

Climate & weather

Full year monsoon happens to be overactive in this region.

History of Sanyasi Island

Sanyasi. Interesting legends abound about the last island. It is said that in ancient times, a sage sought refuge on this island for penance, hence the name. The Oyster-rock, incidentally, has one of the oldest lighthouses in the area.

Things to do at Sanyasi Island

Drive over to the Kali Wilderness Resort at Dandeli (53 km) to do some river rafting, canyoning or trekking.

How to reach Sanyasi Island

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Karwar is a main station on the Konkan Railway so both express and passenger trains stop here.

• Nearest Airport:

**Road Transport:**Karwar is well connected by road to Goa, Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwar, Mangalore, Bangalore and Mysore. The Karnataka state buses as well as several luxury buses run by private operators offer fast and efficient transportation.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Park yourself in the Devbagh resort run by the Jungle Lodges. Tucked away in the island, surrounded by casuarina trees, the tree- house-like rooms are the ultimate paradise for nature lovers. For Rs 1900 per person/night, you will get to have all meals, and local sightseeing. (Cost of water sports and snorkelling not included in the tariff.)

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

• Karwar Island

Karwar is a port town situated 100 Km from Goa and 260 Km north of Mangalore. Tucked between the sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, Karwar is an unexplored destination

• 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

• 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

Distances-
Dabolim (Goa)- Karwar - 100 km
Mumbai - Karwar - 500 km
Bangalore - Karwar - 520 km

Helpline & emergency contacts

• Police Station:

• Nearest Hospital:

• Society/Community Phone Number

• Links:

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 Sanyasi Island

October to March offers calm seas and pleasant weather for island visits. November-February is the peak season with best conditions. Avoid monsoon (June-September) when seas are rough and boat services often suspended.

Timings & opening hours

Accessible during daylight hours, typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Boat services to the island operate on specific schedules. Check departure and return timings locally. Monsoon services may be suspended.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: INR 20-50 per person. Boat/shuttle charges: INR 100-500 per person round trip (varies by island distance). Special permits may be required for certain islands.

Duration needed

Half a day (3-4 hours) including boat travel and island exploration. Full day recommended for island with beaches and extensive walking trails.

Safety tips

Wear life jackets during boat transit. Follow boat captain’s safety instructions. Beware of slippery rocks on the island. Avoid swimming in unknown waters around the island. Check weather conditions before departure — avoid in rough seas. Carry seasickness medication if prone to motion sickness.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry seasickness medication, waterproof bag for electronics, extra dry clothes, towel, swimwear, and snorkelling gear if interested in underwater exploration.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station on the Konkan Railway line. Nearest airport: Mangalore International Airport or Goa International Airport. Boat access from the nearest coastal town jetty.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I reach Sanyasi Island? A: The island is accessible by boat from the nearest coastal town. Boat services operate during fair weather. Q: Are there accommodation options on the island? A: Most islands are day-visit destinations. Accommodation is available on the mainland. Q: What is the best time to visit? A: October to March offers calm seas and pleasant weather.

Quick facts

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

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Sanyasi Island

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