St. Mary's Island

About St. Mary’s Island

Contrary to other beaches with endless stretch of golden sand, St Mary’s Island’s rocky terrain does not encourage swimming or strolling along the shores. One can only gaze around and marvel at the idiosyncrasies of the expansive rock formations strewn around the beach.

Location info

• Address:60 Kms from Mangalore, 400km from Bangalore.

• District:Udupi district

• Nearest City:Bangalore

• Best time to visit: December to March

Climate & weather

Summers 22°- 40°C. Winter 10°- 32°C

History of St. Mary’s Island

St Mary’s group of islands got their name courtesy Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama who descended on these islands in 1498 before he reached Calicut. Gama called one of the islands “El Padron de Santa Maria.” The northernmost island is about a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width. It has a coconut grove, which makes it the shadiest island of the group and gives it true South Sea color.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Rukmini Residency, Near City Bus Stand, Udupi Dist, Udupi - 576101. Phone: +91-820-2523901, Fax: +91-820-2523918. Email: rr@rukminiresidency.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Shri Ramakrishna Hotel, Geethanjali Road, Udupi - 576 101. Phone : +91 8252 - 523189

Nearest visiting places

• Kollur Temples

Kollur Mookambika Temple, an important seat of Shakti worship is located in very picturesque surroundings at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district. This sacred place is situated on the banks of river sauparnika and surrounded by thickly wooded hills and has a natural formation resembling the Sri Chakra. Kollur is one of the seven mukti places which were created by Parashurama

• Udupi Temples

Udupi, the Kokani city is the headquarters of the Udupi District, Karnataka State, India. When one hears the name “Udupi” either “Udupi Krishna” or “Udupi Masala Dosa” comes to the mind. Of course the famous, Krishna temple is located in this city. The temple is famous for a unique statue of Lord Krishna

• Kollur Forest

Kollur is a tiny hamlet situated 40km Kundapur Town, about 140 km away from Mangalore City in Karnataka state in Southern part of India. This village lies at the foot of the Western Ghats, and is famous for the Mookambika temple, a Hindu pilgrim center

• Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Udupi District, Karnataka, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 247 sq km and is thick with evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats, and small patches of teak plantations. It is contiguous with the Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

• Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the Western Ghats, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Udupi District of Karnataka. This 88 sq km sanctuary is consists of semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. Wildlife species include tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, gaur, wild pig, sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque and common langur

• Karkala

Karkala is a town and also the headquarters of Karkala Taluk in Udupi district of Karnataka, India, and is located about 300 km from Bangalore. It lies near the Western Ghats. The first name of this town was Pandya Nagari during the Jain regime but afterwards it was changed to Karikallu because of black stones

• Koosalli Falls

The fabulous picnic spot, Koosalli waterfalls is located near Koosalli village in Kundapura. A series of six falls, one above the other, in splendid surroundings makes it one of the best waterfalls in the state. The combined height of all six falls is about 380 ft

• Gurupura or Phalguni River

Gurupura river flows through Gurupura, Mangalore, Tannirubhavi. It joins the Arabian sea near Tannir bhavi. is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara) district in southwestern Karnataka

• Kedaka River

The Kedaka River is a river flowing through Kundapur and Gungulli in western India. It joins with the Souparnika River, Varahi River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian Sea

• Pangala River

Pangala is a village situated in Udupi taluk of Udupi district, Karnataka. India’s National Highway number 17 (NH-17) road connecting Mangalore (Kudla or Mangaluru) to Mumbai (Bombay) passes through this village.The village is on the north banks of Pangala river

• Souparnika River

Souparnika River is a river flowing through Kundapur and Gangolli in western India. It joins with the Varahi River, Kedaka River, Chakra River, and Kubja River and merges into the Arabian Sea.Sauparnika is a sacred river which emerges from a verdant mountain near Maravanthe in Udupi District of Karnataka

• Udyavara River

Udyavara is a village on the outskirts of the town of Udupi, Karnataka, India. It is located to south of Udupi, and to the north of the Udyavara river. Udyavara was formerly called Udayapura. It was the capital of the Alupas

• Kaup Beach

Kaup Beach is located 12 km south of Udupi. It is situated on the coastal belt. The Kaup beach is one of the most beautiful beaches. Its placement is perfect. The beach with the 100 ft high lighthouse on the rocks is a photographer’s paradise

• Malpe Beach

About 6 kms from Udupi, in South Canara is Malpe, an ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky and the gurgle of the sea all set a perfect mood for an unforgettable holiday here

• Trasi Beach

Trasi is a beautiful place on the west coast of India, 100 km from Mangalore, 900 km from Mumbai and 12 km north from Kundapur.Here you can see a unique scene where a National highway separates the Arabian sea from the Sauparnika river

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**100

• **Nearest Hospital:**Udupi

• 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 St. Mary’s 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.

Things to do at St. Mary’s Island

Island exploration, beach walks, photography, birdwatching, snorkelling and swimming (in designated safe areas), sealife observation (tide pools), picnicking, and boat rides around the island.

Things to visit & highlights

Beaches, rock formations, viewpoints, lighthouse (where present), surrounding coral reefs and marine life, migratory bird habitats, and fishing villages on the mainland near the departure point.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I reach St. Mary’s 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 St. Mary’s Island

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