St. Mary’s island Malpe – A national geological monument in Udupi

With a quick swig, he emptied the coconut shell. Discarding the shell, he picked a holy cross and fixed it close to the shore. He whispered - "Padrao de Sante Maria" and with that, he turned and left the isle for his final destination. Little did he know that his whispered words would make the island famous as St. Mary's Island Malpe.

Standing on Malpe beach, as I looked over the Arabian Sea, I spotted the coconut island that has now been labeled as a national geological monument by the Geological Survey of India. Personally, that is enough of a reason for me to want to visit St. Mary’s Island in Udupi. Turns out there is more to St Mary’s Island than just the geological aspect. Discovered by Vasco Da Gama, St. Mary’s Island Udupi makes a lovely half-day trip from Malpe for anyone who loves beaches.

I first visited this Udupi island in early 2000. Despite it being a little unkempt, I found myself being quite charmed by it My recent visit during the Coastal Karnataka trip organized by India Tourism Bengaluru showed me how things had changed at St Mary’s Island Malpe. The island is now better organized for visitors, thus making your day trip from Malpe beach quite pleasant and worthwhile.

With this travel guide to St Mary’s Island Udupi, you will not just learn about its history and what are the things to do on St. Mary’s island but will get all your questions answered for your own trip here. So let’s get going.

If you are in Udupi, you should check out the Hasta Shilpa heritage village. This offbeat destination is a treasure trove of culture, preserved as actual homes that were transplanted from their original locations to the newly created village. You can see the original Deccan Nawab palace as well as woodwork from the Vijaynagara era. Go on and check it out

An overview of St. Mary’s Island Malpe

Well, technically St Mary’s island is an archipelago of four small islands. These are just off the coast of Malpe, 15 – 20 minutes by boat from the shore. Prominent among them is the large isle with tons of coconut trees. This set of trees gives this land the name Coconut island. It is also, called Thonsepar in the local language. All your ferries will get you to Coconut Island. The other three islands are generally, not visited and are named North Island, South Island and Dariya Bahadurgarh island.

The islands are filled with numerous basalt, volcanic rocks that have been termed columnar joints or Laminar Lava. These rocks are one of their kind in India – only found on St. Mary’s Island Malpe. Why only here, what makes them special and how was the Udupi St. Mary’s island discovered forms the next part of this post.

History of St. Mary’s Island Udupi

Scientifically, the St. Mary’s island history goes back to 88 million years. They say that the island was a result of a breakaway from Madagascar due to a sub-volcanic activity. The same volcanic activity resulted in lava flowing out to create the very rocks that have made this Udupi island a popular geotourist destination.

We would not have discovered this unusual set of rocks, had it not been for Vasco Da Gama. He stopped at this island in 1498, en route to Kozhikode. The famous voyager set a cross and dedicated it to Mother Mary with the words – Padrao de Santa Maria (Blessed Mother Mary). This christened the island Saint Mary’s Island.

Best things to do in St. Mary’s Island Karnataka

The tiny island is uninhabited even today. It is actually just around 500 m in size with coconut trees growing naturally in the middle. There is no line of shops no hawkers or vehicles. The water around the island is super clear but there is only a very small area where you can swim. So then, what can you do at the St. Mary’s Island in Malpe?

Well, that is precisely the question I will answer in this section about the things to do on St. Mary’s Island Udupi.

Discover the basalt rocks on St Mary’s island Malpe

Seems a little obvious since I have been harping about the reason why the St Mary’s island has been given the national geological monument status. You will find them along the shores of this Udupi island in all sizes but not really shapes. Shape-wise they are like polygonal columns – which is what makes them unique. Look around to see fascinating mounts and try and spot the tallest one. I believe it is as high as 6 meters.

As you explore them, you will find some shaded ones and then some that protrude out to give an icicle feel. A few enclose small pools and then there are some which are like flat beds on which you can walk and enjoy the misty spray of the waves.

Find the shell beach of this Udupi island

If it is not the basalt rocks on Udupi St. Mary’s island, then it is this unusual St Mary’s beach full of shells. The shell beach is just one of the smaller shores of this isle. Myriads of them will poke you if you attempt to walk barefoot on this part of the island – which is why you should not. However, with a pair of crocs or reef shoes, you will be good to walk around and hunt the choicest of colors on this shell-filled beach. The challenge – Get the biggest unbroken one in the heap of tiny ones.

Catch the sunset over Arabian Sea

No matter what time you go to Saint Mary’s Island, try and catch the sunset. I did so on my first visit while on the 2nd one, I got to see an equally mesmerizing sunrise. Of course, the 2nd visit was by invitation and hence, the early hours of the day. Most likely, you will not be able to get to the island for the sunrise as the official ferries only ply from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm – making sunset possible for you to enjoy.

The sea looks mesmerizing as you sit under a coconut tree and walk the sun being swallowed but not before it has cast a golden glow over the water and the basalt rocks.

Discover the residents of this Coconut Island Udupi

Resident? But you just said it was uninhabited?

Well, it is. Uninhabited by humans but it does have its share of resident birds and crustaceans. In the little time that I was at St Mary’s Island Malpe, I saw many seagulls and Brahminy kites. I even caught a cormorant drying his feathers on the basalt rocks. There were a few egrets swooping around and I am sure if I had stayed longer, I would have been able to spot more of the resident birds that this signboard on the island lists out. (check the top left corner)

Crabs – plenty of them can be found on the rocks. Some of them are so camouflaged and are honestly spotted only by their size. I did spend a few minutes watching them skuttle around and get washed by the waves, only to see them grip the edges and climb up again. They definitely gave me lessons on determination and resilience.

Capture the natural frames of this Udupi Island

Between the rocks, the coconut trees, the peeping sun, the waves splashing and the shells on the shore, there is enough for you to get clicking. Not surprised if you get bitten by a shutterbug when you land at the Saint Mary’s island Udupi. Here is a camera challenge – sit by one of those famed rocks and wait for the biggest wave to hit them. Time your shot to capture some of those sea splashes. Try it once and you will realize how addictive this challenge can be.

Now, isn’t that a big enough list for you to plan a half-day trip from Udupi? Check out the next section of this St. Mary’s guide to help you do just the same.

Common FAQs about Udupi St Mary’s Island India

Before you go, pin This

St. Mary’s island is a perfect place to plan a picnic and a half-day trip from Malpe. Where else will you get time away from civilization and yet stay close to it, enjoy the sea breeze and yet not get so tanned – thanks to the coconut groves, watch the waves and learn a few lessons, do nothing and yet do lots. So go on, and pin this for your next visit.

Travel Tips

• Plastic bottles and wrappers are prohibited on the island. Remember to pack your food and water in reusable containers and not single-use plastic ones.
• Restrooms are available on the island
• The island has been developed to include small shades and park benches for you to relax.
• Remember to swim only in the designated areas of the island. The rest of the shore is not safe.

Booking Resources

• MakeMyTrip is a popular website for all flight (domestic & international) bookings. You can use this link to book your flight(s).
• You can book your hotel in Udupi or Manipal through Booking.com using the given link.
• For any local tours, transfers and stays in the Coastal Karnataka region, you can get in touch with Ms. Poonam of Dream holidays, Manipal on +91 9686574959 or Mr. Roshan Pinto of RR Travels on +91 9845331926. They are specialists in this region and can arrange for a flawless travel experience here.
• If you use Amazon for shopping for travel or any of your home needs, do consider using this link.

P.S : I visited St Mary’s Island as a part of the Coastal Karnataka trip for which I was invited by Ministry of Tourism, India – Bengaluru.