5 Top Islands to Explore Amazing India
If you think India only has Andaman and Nicobar for Island Tourism… then it is time to broaden your horizon.
You will be surprised to know the country nestles around 1,382 offshore islands that have true potential for eco-tourism. Nature has blessed them with stunning shorelines and breathtaking plateaus to consider as a holiday destination. Ministry of Tourism is in constant endeavour to develop them with equal contribution by the private players.
So, if you are looking for an adventure full vacation, here is a list of places that you can consider for island hopping. Here you will gift yourself a lazy time with long walks, captivating sun rise and sets; with a plethora of exciting water adventure.
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St. Mary’s Island, Udupi Karnataka
Udupi in Karnataka is famous for its natural beauty as well as spirituality. It is also home to St. Mary’s Island which is a cluster of small four islands. This place can be reached by taking the ferry from Malpe Beach. The most important feature of St. Mary’s Island is the basaltic lava rock formations. As per geologists, these rocks were formed by a volcanic activity in Madagascar, when it was a part of India. They are almost 88 million years old.
The main stretch of St. Mary’s Island is approx 1640 feet long and 328 feet wide. It is great for long walks or watching sunsets while sitting on the crystalline rocks. If you are a restless soul, then choose from adventures like boat paragliding, banana ride and cliff jumping. A stroll in the coconut gardens and basaltic rock formations will give you the peace of mind that you miss in the polluted cities.
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How to Reach: St. Mary’s Island is 15 kms from Udupi Railway Station. Ferries run regularly Malpe fishing harbor every 30 minutes between 9 am – 6 pm. Boats are also available from Tegma Jetty.
Best Time to Visit: St. Mary’s Island is between October to February when it is the winter time and hence the climate is pleasant.
Grand Island, Goa
Goa has gained international reputation because of its beautiful beaches. These beaches also make way to some exotic islands which are good for a one day tour. One such is Grand Island on the Arabian Sea; quite close to Vasco da Gama. A boat ride to this island is completely different from a usual boat trip in the Goa beaches. Here you go deep into the Arabian Sea while spotting the dolphins that come jumping near your boat. As you reach the island, you will be welcomed with a plethora of water sport activities. If you get tired, sit back and relax in the beaches while enjoying the tropical beauty that surrounds it.
Main adventures in Grand Island include ship-wreck scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming. You can choose from Sail Rock dive, Shelter Cove dive, Bounty Bay dive and Suzy’s Wreck dive. Angling enthusiasts can have a great time with fishing. Other attractions of this island are Spice Plantations and Dolphin points.
Popular Diving Spots: Suzy (4-15m), Davy Jones Locker (15m), Sailing Rock (20m) and Umma Gumma Reef (15m).
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How to Reach: Boat services to Grand Island are available from various places in Goa, like Calangute, Baga, Candolim, Sinquerim, and Dona Paula Beach. The boat trip mostly takes 45 minutes to 1 1/2 half hour depending on your boarding spot.
Best Time to Visit is between October to May
Munroe Island, Kerala
A hidden pearl in the God’s Own Country, Munroe Island is a cluster of 8 islands separated by small water channels. At a distance of 27 km from Kollam, it was named after the Resident Colonel John Munroe from the erstwhile state of Travancore. The scenic island being surrounded by the Ashtamudi and Kallada River is full of coconut plantations. Locals come here to spend some leisure time and also relish the tempting Keralite Seafood cuisines in the restaurants.
Main attractions of Munroe Island are narrow waterways and canal cruise. During the 10-day Onam festival, the place serves as a venue for the Kallada Boat Race. This is a great place for country craft cruise and witnessing the backwater island villages. To sum up, this island is a great option, if you wish to take a break from the hustle bustle of city life.
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How to Reach: Munroturuttu Railway station is just 3 km from Munroe Island. Tourists coming from outside can board a flight till Trivandrum International Airport which is about 84 km. Board a ferry from Perumon ferry point, Kollam to reach Munroe Islands.
Best Time to Visit: Munroe Island can be visited any time of the year, but November till February will be the best time as the weather in Kerala is comfortable.
Majuli Island, Assam
Assam, the land of mighty Brahmaputra is a rich blend of nature, rich culture and attractive history. Known for sprawling tea gardens, wildlife reserves and spiritual places; the state is also home to Majuli Island. Very few people know that Majuli is the largest river island in world as declared by Guinness World Records. It is formed by Brahmaputra River in the south and Kherkutia Xuti in north.
Unlike other typical water adventure islands, Majuli is more of a tribal tour place. The 880 sq km island being inhabited by tribes like Mising, Deori and Sonowal Kachri tribes is a completely different world. Satras, who follow Ekasarana tradition of Vaishnavism, have preserved the rich culture of Assam. The island is a beautiful medley of wooden boats, paddy fields and water bodies. A tour here comprises of a visit to Satra (Kamalabari Satra, Garmur Satra and Auniati), Tengapania and Raas Leela Festival (November). Majuli masks are famous all over the country; hence a trip to its makers is quite interesting.
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How to Reach: Jorhat Airport, about 7 km from Jorhat city is the best to land near Majuli. Jorhat Railway Station in Jorhat District is nearest to Majuli. From Jorhat, private buses are available till Kamlabari Ghat and Neemati Ghat; from where ferry boats go to Majuli Island.
Best Time to Visit: Summers from March to June are hot and humid, so if gets uncomfortable for touring. Monsoons from July to September should be avoided as Assam receives incessant rains. Winter from October to February is the best time to visit this beautiful island.
Rameshwaram Island, Tamil Nadu
Associated with Lord Rama of Ramayana epic, Rameshwaram is known to the country as a spiritual centre. One of the Char Dhams, people come here to worship Lord Shiva in the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Amid the huge stretches of beaches, Rameshwaram Island is also an adventure lover’s Mecca.
After reaching here, one may start with a glass boat ride at Pamban Bridge to get acquainted with the Indian Ocean. Down, you will see abundant marine life in form of corals and fishes. The Underground Sea Aquarium is a great place to witness clown fishes, sea lizards, prawns, octopuses, sharks and snakes alongwith thousands of known and unknown creatures. Pamban Island is a huge playground of adventure lovers who get to choose from snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, kite surfing, scuba diving, stand up boarding, windsurfing, snorkeling and coral watching.
If you are not a water activity person, then you can indulge in sightseeing of the historical monuments. Take a walk on the Indira Gandhi Road Bridge and marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds. Rameshwaram is also a conventional shopping destination; specially for Rameshwaram silk sarees. People who come to visit the temple never miss out shopping here as the products are unique and traditional.
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How to Reach: Madurai Airport, around 149 kms from Rameshwaram can be reached by taxi and bus. It has its own Rameshwaram Railway Station that connects to most of the cities in India. Regular bus services and local transport is easily available to reach the island.
Best Time to Visit: Rameshwaram can be visited all year round; however, October to April is the best time for Island hopping. Monsoons from July to September are quite humid with average rainfalls, but being a coastal region even this time can be enjoyed.
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