Netrani Island

Netrani Island, also called Pigeon Island or Netragudo, is a small uninhabited heart-shaped island in the Arabian Sea about 19 km off the coast of Murudeshwar in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. Renowned for its clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, it is Karnataka's premier scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The rocky island is accessible only by boat with permission and has no permanent settlement or overnight facilities.

Visitors reach Netrani Island by a 60-90 minute boat ride from Murudeshwar. The island itself is a rocky, uninhabited outcrop with steep cliffs, boulders and no sandy beach, surrounded by exceptionally clear water. Visitors do not stay on the island but view it from the boat and explore the surrounding waters through guided scuba diving and snorkeling to see coral reefs, tropical fish and occasional sea turtles. The experience is centered on marine activities and sightseeing, with no shops, accommodation or permanent structures on the island.

Netrani Island is an uninhabited rocky island historically used by the Indian Navy as a target practice range. The island has no permanent settlement and has remained largely natural, with its coral reef ecosystem gaining recognition in recent decades as a diving site.

Locally known as Netragudo or Pigeon Island, the island is named for the large flocks of wild pigeons that inhabit its cliffs. It is familiar to local fishing communities and is valued as a natural landmark off the Murudeshwar coast near the prominent Murudeshwar Temple.