Udupi, Oct 1: After a gap of four and a half months, the tourist boat services to St. Mary's Islands from Malpe harbour resumed on Saturday.
These set of four small islands with basalt rock formations jutting out in different shapes in the Arabian Sea in Udupi district are popular tourist destination and a 30-minute boat ride from Malpe beach. They are known for their distinctive geological formation of columnar basaltic lava (pictured).
Tourist boat facility to the island was banned owing to the monsoon season from May 15 to September 15. However, since the sea was rough, the ban got extended for another 15 days.
Under the tourist boat facility, there will be three private boats to St. Mary's Island. While the capacity of one boat is 100 passengers, the capacity of the other two boats is 75 and 55 each.
The tourist boat facility will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. But a boat to the St. Mary's Island can operate only if it has a minimum of 30 passengers. “But there will be two services — one at 10.30 a.m. and another 3.30 p.m., where we will carry passengers even if there are less than 30,” said Ganesh Amin, owner of Rajarajeshwari tourist boat.
These boats are equipped with life jacket and first aid facilities. The tickets are priced at Rs. 150 per adult and Rs. 100 per child. But these three private boats will not operate if the weather is inclement.
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ohh god planned to come on dasara, missed the ride.
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