Here are bunch of photos of St Mary’s Island, taken by my photographer-friend Nagesh who has roamed this coastline since his childhood (and who is, incidentally, shooting India’s first fully digitally shot movie). Since they are such lovely snaps, I decided to let the story follow the photos.
As I wrote sometime ago, if Karnataka gets its act together, it has everything going for it to emerge as India’s top tourism destination. Here is more proof.
St Mary’s island is a little slip of land about 30 minutes out into the sea from Malpe Beach in Udupi. As you can see in the photos, God certainly let loose on this one; it is gorgeous and I can say this with the certainty of someone who has seen a fair number of beaches and islands across the world. The island is full of crystallised basalt rock, a unique rock formation found in very few places in the world, the most notable being the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. And, the sea between the island and the long curve of the beach at Malpe is placid and gentle (or at least looks that way).
As I stood on this little island last week, it was clear that it is crying out for a bit of tender, loving attention. Here are a few touches I can think of:
- an audio visual tour of the island, its unique geography and its marine life
- a weekly experience for very young children to be exposed to the idea of an island (a small experience of Robinson Crusoe)
- A once in a year weekly festival of crystallised basalt rock (came across a similar idea in the ‘Giant Crystal Project’ in Iceland)
- An area of the island dedicated to indulging in sustainable water sports – sailing, canoeing etc.
More imaginative minds than mine can surely figure out more options. The island is a treasure and it would be a great feather in Karnataka’s cap if this was not left at the deep state of neglect it is today.
47 responses so far ↓
Madhuri // February 7, 2008 at 11:17 am |
OMG! It is breath-taking! Is that place really in Karnataka? I have lived for two years in Bangalore and never ventured around Udupi – seems like I have missed the best
I will try to correct that soon.
harinair // February 7, 2008 at 2:03 pm |
Yup it sure is. And if you do get there, try to hang around as the sun sets. Truly magical.
Gaurav Agarwal // February 7, 2008 at 3:56 pm |
A little bit of history here: Many do not know that Vasco Da Gama first actually landed at St Mary’s Island. But somehow not founding it suitable, decided to go down further South to Calicut and finally set foot on land there. St Mary’s or Malpe, therefore, very narrowly missed ‘fame’.
harinair // February 7, 2008 at 4:33 pm |
Yes, I heard that piece when I was there. And I actually have a post on the spot in Calicut where Vasco Da Gama finally landed – Kappad beach. http://harinair.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/vasco-da-gama/
Vasco Da Gama went on to Goa from there and of course, you have heard of Vasco in Goa.
jaciburton // February 19, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
Wow your photos are great! These places look amazing. i will have to put Bangalore on my list of places to visit.
harinair // February 23, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
Hi Jaci – welcome to my blog.
Biju // April 6, 2008 at 4:30 pm |
Hari,
We should chat. I found your post particularly interesting since its’ dated 27 Jan – I was in Malpe and on St. Mary’s myself on New Years’ Eve!
Two things on your post caught my attention – St Mary’s and your friend’s digital movie – both movies/ high-end audio-video and travelling are my passions (including photography!), but somehow never managed to get my stock out of the closet onto the internet! Will do now..
The other thing that really got my attention was picture no. 4 from top – HOW did your friend manage to get the emerald water?? None of my photographs are like that! It’s beautiful. Would like to know the secret, though..!
harinair // April 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm |
Hi Biju – welcome to my blog. Be happy to host some of your travel snaps here.
Tapas // May 27, 2008 at 1:01 pm |
Looks Majestic!
er .. how much would it cost to spend the weekend their with friends. Is it extravagant?
harinair // May 27, 2008 at 1:56 pm |
Tapas, I have some good news & some bad news for you.
First the good news. It will cost you nothing at all – all you have to pay for is the ferry ride to the island.
Now the not-so-good-news. The catch in this paradise is that there is no accommodation on the island (actually there isnt even a proper loo on the island). You will need to take the last ferry back in the evening.
Hrish // June 3, 2008 at 3:17 pm |
hi hari,
I’m a software engineer and part time filmmaker from bangalore. nice to know abt ur friend who is making India’s first fully digitally shot movie? can you plz give me his details so I can contact him and help him out too if possible?
thanks!
Hrish
Meagan Abraham // June 30, 2008 at 7:39 am |
You make a great point about the bombastic potential of tourism in KA, I am actually working on a paper for my Masters in Gastronomy about the exploration of culinary tourism that would be a success story in the many beautiful, diverse regions you have captured so vividly in those images! Great job – a definte must see when I go back home this Dec…
harinair // June 30, 2008 at 2:22 pm |
Hi Meagan – welcome to my blog. Culinary tourism (a.k.a ‘eating loads of local food in places you go!’) is one of my passions. Do share your paper with me, once you are through – I am sure it will be interesting.
bharath // July 10, 2008 at 12:09 pm |
Hi. i wanted to know about sailing options in and around udupi .. could you please inform me .. thank you
harinair // July 10, 2008 at 12:55 pm |
Hey bharath – unfortunately, no organised sailing options around Udupi that I am aware of. Sorry.
sneha // August 17, 2008 at 1:26 am |
i being from malpe….. i know all this places very well….. its one of the beautiful place any one should visit in their life….its just worth it… as a picnic sport…not only malpe….i suggest that the whole of UDUPI is a superb place such as KRISHNA TEMPLE, MANIPAL END POINT,MALPE BEACH etc……..do visit all the places…. but keep the CITY CLEAN……
Krishna // July 12, 2009 at 10:02 pm |
Hi Sneha, I am really looking to discuss with someone from Malpe about the possibility of having a small piece of land on Malpe beach for personal use or for running a small guest house/restaurent. In fact, I visited these places and others along the coast of Krnataka very recently (26-27 Dec.’08) with my wife & kids (12 years old daughter & 13 years old son) and I am really fascinated with the beauty of Malpe beach & St. Mary’s island. I am not very sure how can you help me, but I expect a reply from you on my e-mail id
SenThIL // August 21, 2008 at 6:03 pm |
good & peaceful
jacob // August 25, 2008 at 2:01 am |
getting information is good, but don’t dirty the place if anyone goes there……
plz. respect nature….
thank u..
Pinki // September 11, 2008 at 11:58 pm |
Can you tell me if Udupi is on the way to Murdeshwar temple?
harinair // September 12, 2008 at 8:14 am |
Yes, Udupi is on the way to Murudeshwar, if you are going from Mangalore. Udupi is an hour north of Mangalore on the coast. If you keep going further up north from Udupi, your reach Murudeshwar.
nishant // September 17, 2008 at 3:00 pm |
I just saw St. Mary’s Beach name on the udupi station from my train on the way back from Ernakulam and was excited to visit it. The facts from these lines above has made it now irresistable. i wish to visit Ududpi in next month and I request you all especially Hari and Sneha to give me some guidelines about where to stay with my family and how many days to plan the visit are required. this will be of real help if you can. I was a bit worried about the tour b4 visiting this site but now after having read all these informations I am sure I and my family will get a great holiday in Udupi. Pls try and give me some good hotel names and locations from where beach is clse by. Thank you so much – Nishant
harinair // September 17, 2008 at 4:50 pm |
Nishant – welcome to my blog. For all the information you might need on planning your holiday, click on the links below.
http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Udupi-Overview.html
http://www.holidayiq.com/Popular-Udupi-Hotels-Resorts-Reviews-Ratings-Tariff-Rates-614-13-yes-destination.html
http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Udupi-Know.html
http://www.holidayiq.com/Udupi-Sightseeing.html
If you still have doubts, I suggest you post a question on the HolidayIQ’s Udupi forum. The thousands of travellers that visit HolidayIQ.com daily should be able to answer all your doubts. The link is here.
http://www.holidayiq.com/forum/india-travel-forum-Udupi-forum-f139.html
Have a good trip.
geetanjli // October 29, 2008 at 11:33 pm |
This is so beautiful and pristine.
Robert Fernandes // November 13, 2008 at 11:37 am |
Hi, glad to be here. I am from Udyavar around 10 KM awasy from St. Marys island. Have been to the island 3 or 4 times. Very nice place to be. Rare rock formations, beautiful beaches and a lovely palmgrove.
You have covered the place so nicely. The photographs are splendid. During my childhood days I was dreaming that this would soon become a famous tourist spot. Unfortunately the tourism authoritie’s response has been very cold.
All what is need of the hour is some basic facilities to the tourists such as regular ferry boat trips, proper jetty facilities both the sides, a cafetaria in island, a wash room and a sweet water shower.
Will anybody act on this?
Thanks
robert.
harinair // November 13, 2008 at 1:14 pm |
Hey Robert, thanks for dropping by. Yes, I met more of such dreamers among your compartriots while on this trip and I can empathise with your view. Your conutryside is so gorgeous that not putting up basic tourism facilities is pretty crazy. But so it is. Maybe, it is time for all the good people living in that region to shout a bit about this.
poornima // November 15, 2008 at 3:44 pm |
hi, it is sure. Because i say i was lived in udupi in childwood. I can’t see in beautiful place. I was totaly confused.
Naveen // November 19, 2008 at 11:57 am |
Hi,
Nice pictures. Its been quite a long time I was planning to visit St Mary’s Island. Can you tell me how to reach there from Mangalore? I’m in Bangalore now and planning to visit Mangalore this weekend. Tell me what would be the best time to reach the Island and also how to reach there.
Thanks
Naveen.
harinair // November 19, 2008 at 10:47 pm |
Hey Naveen. Get to Udupi and take a ferry from the boat jetty near Malpe. Any auto chap should be able to take you there. I went at about 1 pm in the afternoon and got back by about 4pm. Take water with you.
Naveen // November 20, 2008 at 11:04 am |
Thanks Buddy!!
Becke // January 24, 2009 at 11:58 pm |
Hey !! this place is truly beautiful . . !! i like this gal and she posted some pics of St Mary’s island in her profile . . looked so beautiful . . made me curious to know more about dis place ,truly breathtaking views. Iv decided im coming here with ma frnds soooooon , verrry sooon !!
and that would be 4 of us !!!
Pradeep KUmar // February 13, 2009 at 9:57 pm |
I am From udupi only, if u want to see the place then you can contact me.
pradeep9292kumar@rediffmail.com
Trust in India // February 28, 2009 at 2:39 am |
I was never aware that such a breathtakingly beautiful and enchanting island exists in Karnataka. Thanks for uploading the images of St Mary’s Island near Malpe beach, Udupi, Karnataka…
harjot // March 9, 2009 at 10:24 am |
Had gone to Udupi on 27th Dec 2007 with parents ! Have to say – The St . Mary’s Island is really something ! A gem hidden on the west coast of Karnataka !And the best part i loved was the shell beach ! you could walk on the beach and there were only small soft pieces of fragmented shells and no sand to stick to your feet !!! Had a splash there and loved every moment of it !!!!
Sujan Singh // March 29, 2009 at 10:51 pm |
Hi
I differ from most of you regarding “development” of the island. We all love it for being what it is – nature at its best. At the most, a couple of toilets, but built in a style that merges with the landscape. For the rest please leave it as it is.
Alas! that is not to be. I have just read the politicians have already arranged for lakhs of rupees to kill it in the name of progress.
We Indians don’t know how to preserve our assets.
harinair // March 30, 2009 at 8:47 am |
Sujan – welcome to the Long Hol. I, of course, disagree with you that ‘development’ is bad. While that is a fashionable theme these days with many, I think sensitive development can make the place immeasurably richer for all of us, without spoiling an iota of its intrinsic glory. Of course, India’s governments are generally poor at doing this. From my perspective, instead of wringing hands, it is imperative for citizens to demand better implementation. And, ensure it happens.
Here is a thought. Just like there is Intach for advising & helping preserve built heritage, maybe we should develop an organisation for helping preserve and developing our natural heritage.
mikhel // April 11, 2009 at 1:36 pm |
Hi, I was wondering if any of you know about buying some land on this island?
Krishna // July 12, 2009 at 10:13 pm |
I am of the same feeling. Can you share the information on buying a piece of land there. I too am trying and will share the information, whatever I get.
deepthi // July 6, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
hi,
planning for this weekend.is there anything els around to see?wil 2 days be sufficient?wats the budget approx?
harinair // July 6, 2009 at 3:13 pm |
Hi Deepthi – here is the link for you to post your questions and get answers.
http://www.holidayiq.com/forum/india-travel-forum-malpe-forum-f132.html
aditi // August 14, 2009 at 3:07 pm |
hi Hari ,
Planning a trip in Dec 09 wid fmly friends….for the nth time …the snaps are awesome !!! just been to Himachal- Sangla kanda-Kinnaur- Spiti-Chandratal …..in mid July ….am aldready planning for Dec 09 trip…..after reading all the blog info and holiday iq forums ….I think we shall stay at Udipi and go for a full day to Malpe beach early morning ….since Paradise resort is too expensive …i wud believe the snaps u have uploaded wud be clicked arouns afternoon time …take care
Praveen // September 15, 2009 at 5:22 pm |
Hi
Its really very nice place to visit. I want to spend my life time there itself. Give me suggestions pls.
sunil kumar // September 26, 2009 at 12:11 pm |
hi i think you like my native place. its so nice. anyway may i know more about you
sam // September 29, 2009 at 8:16 pm |
please tell when dj nites r being organised their
karthik // October 1, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
is that open in d month of oct…..
Navanitha Shetty // November 2, 2009 at 5:34 pm |
I have to check this place out. It looks heavenly
vijaykapnadak // November 3, 2009 at 10:18 pm |
Hey hari, It is rather suprising to me a native of udupi , my mother was, I have been to this place. Believe you me, If I had the influence with the politicians and had the mullah, I would have turned this place into an un forgetable experience to the tourist. But it is all the maor suprising that a person from Kerala has to project this, not that there are no keralites in Mangalore and udupi. Thank u Hari.