St. Mary'S Islands, Mangalore

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India/Karnataka /Dakshina Kannada /Mangalore

St. Mary’s Island is located at a distance of 6 km from Udupi and 65 km north of Mangalore. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

The St. Mary’s Island beach is special for the unique formation of basalt rocks that have crystallized into whole columns and split into vertical hexagonal blocks. The west coast of these islands is a haven of shellfish with shells of various shapes and sizes littered along the coast. The island is 300 m long and 100 m wide and has a few palm trees. The four largest islands are named Coconut Island, South Island, North Island, and Daryabahadurgarh Island. These islands do not have a sandy beach due to the rocks along the shoreline. These islands are just rock projections arising out of the sea near Malpe. A large variety of seashells are found along the rocks. Benches have been installed near the shoreline for the benefit of tourists. Apart from coconut palms, there is very little shade. The quality of amenities for tourists is very poor. The traveller should go prepared for the searing sun with caps and bottles of drinking water.

St. Mary’S Islands, Mangalore

HistoryEdit

St Mary’s Islands were named “El Padron de Santa Maria” by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama as a dedication to Mother Mary . Vasco da Gama is supposed to have landed on these islands in the course of his voyage to Calicut. Geological studies indicate that these islands were created at the time that Madagascar and Africa separated from India. The rocks are hexagonal in shape, columnar in form, and made of basalt. These rocks provide a convenient vantage point for tourists to catch a glimpse of Malpe harbour and the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Must SeeEdit

Must See

Visiting TimeEdit

N.A.

Closed OnEdit

N.A.

Best Season to VisitEdit

September to February.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

3 to 4 hours.

Ticket Required : No Edit

Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.

Kids Rs. : N.A.

Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.

Video Camera Rs. : N.A.

Guide Required : No Edit

Approximate cost: N.A.

Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit

Dress Require: N.A.

Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit

How to ReachEdit

Taxi : White Ambassador Cabs/Indicas are available: usually used by passengers on long-haul routes. Shared cabs are also available for travel between the city and other talukas viz. Bantwal (BC Road), etc. Prepaid cabs are available from the airport to the city: this is generally at a flat rate of ₹350-400. You can also call Cel Cabs and they will pick you up in 20 minutes from wherever you are. You can hold it for a day or a few hours. You can reach them on 60609090.

Bus : There are Three bus stands in Mangalore for long-distance bus services. One is the state-run KSRTC bus-stand in Bejai, located towards the North of the city, but not far off from the city centre. The bus-services are run by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. Services run by the Kerala State Transport and Tamil Nadu State Transport and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation also call in Mangalore at this very bus-stand. The other one is behind the Town Hall. It is known as the ‘State Bank’ stand by the locals, because of its proximity to a branch of the State Bank of India. It is the last stop for most of the private bus services to Mangalore (mostly Inter-District viz. Mangalore-Udupi and Inter-taluk buses).
There is a third bus-stand (not exactly a bus-stand but an alighting point for passengers) in front of Milagres Church where most private tour and bus operators: Ideal Travels, Canara, Canara-Pinto, Vishal Travels, Anand Travels, VRL etc. have their offices.

Train : Mangalore has two major railway stations. First is Mangalore Central (IR station code : MAQ) is located at Hampankatta, in the heart of the city. It is a terminus and is used only by the trains which terminate at Mangalore. And second is Mangalore Junction (IR station code : MAJN) is situated in Kankanady, about 5 km from the city centre. Most long-distance trains and all trains not terminating at Mangalore stop at this station. Use Mangalore Central Station whenever possible as there is a prepaid rickshaw counter there. Autorickshaw drivers at Mangalore Junction rip people off.

Air : Mangalore International Airport, Bajpe, about 20 km from the city centre. Air India, Jet Airways, Spicejet, and Air India Express currently operate flights to Mangalore. From airport taxies, autorickshaws and buses are availble to reach the destination.

Others : St. Mary’S Islands are 6 km out at sea and can be reached by ferry. The nearest harbour to these islands is the fishing harbour at Malpe from where there is a regular ferry service. The ferry plies between 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and accommodates 30 persons per trip. Malpe is 58 km North of Mangalore and is well connected to Mangalore by road.