St. Mary's Island
A geological wonder island with 88-million-year-old hexagonal basalt columns, crystal-clear waters, and white sand.
Distance from Bangalore
400 km
Drive Time
7.5 Hours
Crowd Level
moderate
Best Time to Visit
Oct–May (boats don't run in monsoon)
Ideal Trip Duration
Half Day
Rating
4.6/5 (10000)
Best For
Top Highlights
- Hexagonal columnar basalt rock formations (88 million years old)
- Geological Monument of India
- Crystal-clear waters and white sand
About the Beach
St. Mary's Island (also called Coconut Island) is a cluster of four small islands off the Malpe coast, famous for their extraordinary hexagonal columnar basalt rock formations dating back 88 million years — formed when Madagascar separated from India. Declared a Geological Monument of India, the island features crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and these dramatic honeycomb-patterned rocks. The 20-minute boat ride from Malpe Harbor is part of the experience. The island is small and can be explored in 1–2 hours. Vasco da Gama reportedly first landed here in 1498 before proceeding to Calicut.
Photos
Activities
Nearby Attractions
- Malpe Beach
- Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
- Kaup Beach
Safety
Calm waters around the island; generally safe for wading. Watch for sharp rocks.
Best Stay Options
- Udupi hotels
- Malpe beach area
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Globally unique geological formations
- Crystal-clear waters for photos
- Fascinating geological history
- Fun boat ride from Malpe
Cons
- Closed during monsoon (Jun–Sep)
- Very limited time on island
- No food or facilities on island
- Boats can be crowded