Lady Julia Percy Island is a small private island located in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Owned by the billionaire philanthropist and art patron, Mr. Jamsetji Tata, Lady Julia Percy Island is a retreat for artists, writers and thinkers.
The island was once the home of British socialite Lady Julia Georgina Percy (1860-1944), who was married to Indian industrialist and politician, Sir Henry Cotton (1837-1909). Lady Georgina was a notedwriter, patron of the arts and women’s rights activist.
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History
Lady Julia Percy Island was first acquired by Jamsetji Tata in 1902 as his private retreat. The island is named after Lady Julia Georgina Percy, the wife of British industrialist and politician Sir Henry Cotton.
The Tatas gifted the island to Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2004 for public use and conservation purposes. Since then, it has become a popular destination for artists, writers and thinkers who seek peace and serenity among the greenery and natural beauty of the island.
Climate
The island enjoys a warm and humid climate all year round. The best time to visit is during the months of November to February, when the weather is cooler but still humid. The island is now open to visitors on the first Sunday of every month (starting 11 November 2018) from 10:00AM-5:30PM. Facilities
The island is open to public with a small entry fee. There are parking and restroom facilities available around the island. The best way to reach the island is by hiring an autorickshaw, taxi or naval Jeep Safari (rides on water) from Juhu Beach or Dadar Beach in Mumbai.
Culture
Lady Julia Percy Island is a haven for artists, writers and thinkers who seek peace and tranquility. The island hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including music concerts, readings and discussions. In 2017, the island hosted a poetry festival. It is also a popular retreat for Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti and his family.
The island offers pristine flora and fauna with six species of palms, crotons as well as orchids and other flowers. The typical climate in the area consists of heavy rainfalls during the monsoon season from July to October. In May 2014, 90% of these plants were destroyed by a fire at National Institute for Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) located on Sheshadri Hill just below the eastern end.
Politics
Since Lady Julia Percy Island is a private property, it remains largely immune to the political unrest that plagues much of India. In 2018, however, Lady Julia Percy Island was among the properties seized by the government in response to financial irregularities areal governor Raghuram Rajan accused of causing during his tenure as RBI Governor from 2006-09 .
A visit in 2005 to Lady Julia Percy Island, just before it became a property of the state government, revealed that an elaborate dinghy dock was created by private vendors renting out waterfront space along the Mumbai Harbor.
Government Services
The only government service available on the island is a helipad. A gym has been built on the island but it is not currently in operation due to troubles getting access to electricity. The island also houses a helipad of International Air Worldwide (IAW).
Tourism
The island is visited by a few private tour operators. There is also a base camp when climbing the mountain, originally built by Antony Morgan and managed by Anu Silwal of Summit Adventures Pvt. Ltd, running as Tibet Mountaineering Expeditions (India) since 2009 which offer tours to Ladakh in India including holidays on Tibetan Plateau especially Lhasa and this island.
Transport
However, as of 2019 it was closed. There has been the proposal by JICA to build a new jetty at Kollam Port with international flights but this is still on paper. The island has a sea connection, around away from Kollam town by boat.
The ferry runs twice daily throughout the year excluding Fridays and Sundays and costs Rs 500 for passengers. The Ferry leaves at 10:00 am and returns to Fort Kochi near 7 pm to 8:30 pm during week days (every 20 min).
Cuisine
The cuisine on the island is influenced by both Kerala and Tamil Nadu cuisines. There are few restaurants on the island catering to tourists. One such restaurant, named “The Boat House”, specializes in seafood dishes from both coasts. The owner attributes the best fish in Kollam to this location. The cuisine here is a mix of seafood and non-vegetarian dishes.
Wildlife
There is a small but healthy population of deer, buffalo, pigs and monkeys on the island. Fishing is also allowed in some areas. Artists have also showcased their works here, like the ones by India’s one of a kind artist Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. Several others including Borenaja Kevalam run workshops on this neglected island .
Kovalam which is catamarans, 0.5 nautical miles from here has a good fort in their heritage of this place originally called Pardi Veedhu or Gopinath Temple belonged to the Pandya Dynasty, Raja raja Janardana Singhaveli(Rajaputras) and vijayanagara dynasty.
Conclusion
Lady Julia Percy Island is a secluded beauty located in the heart of the South Pacific. It offers a tranquil retreat for those looking for a little peace and nature. As if that wasn’t enough, Lady Julia Percy Island is also home to some of the most sought-after luxury properties in the world.
From villas to mansions, this private island offers something for everyone. If you’re interested in knowing more about this amazing place, or want to find out how you can get your hands on one of these sensational properties, read on!
FAQ
What Is The Climate Like On Lady Julia Percy Island?
The climate on Lady Julia Percy Island is warm and humid. The average temperature ranges from 25 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius, but it can get as high as 35 degrees Celsius in summer. The humidity level averages around 80%, so you’ll be sweating a lot!
What Are The Currency Options Available In Mumbai?
The local currency in Mumbai is the Indian Rupee. However, some of the restaurants, shops and other businesses are able to accept a wide variety of currencies such as US dollars (USD), British pounds (GBP) Euros and Japanese yen.
Where Is Lady Julia Percy Island Located?
Lady Julia Percy (LJP) Island is located in the Solomon Islands, southeast of Australia. It’s also one of the most exclusive and expensive private islands on earth! About 2000 metres long with 300 metres wide, Lady Jane Transport provides shuttle flights to Stanley at capital Honiara where visitors then rent a vehicle for $850AUD per week.
How Many People Can I Accommodate On Lady Julia Percy Island?
There is one accommodation unit available – The Grand Yacht Resort. This luxurious estate includes a 64-berth and 10 villas for rent in total, with rates starting from $2400AUD per week.
What Are The Activities That My Guests Can Participate In During Their Stay At Lady Jane Transport?
There are many great activities for you and your guests to do on Lady Julia Percy Island.
The island has a white sand beach, beautiful lagoon with Day Bongo’s, snorkelling in the coral sea, sunrise boat trips around the island and a 5 kilometer run through the stunning rainforest.
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