If volcanic rock formations, seashells and untouched beaches interest you, then experiencing a day trip to St. Mary’s Island will be thoroughly fulfilling. St. Mary’s Island has no inhabitants and no commercialization whatsoever. So there’s no way you can spend a night on the island. But that’s also the reason why this fascinating group of four islands is an amazing break from all the commercialized beach destinations.
A Day Trip To St. Mary’s Island Near Udupi
These 4 tiny islands are set parallel to the coast of Malpe, in Karnataka’s Udupi region. What makes them unmissable are the basaltic rock formations, a beach with nothing but seashells, the stretch of coconut trees and the naked beaches. The showstoppers here definitely are the rock formations across the islands, which are so unique and intriguing. Let us tell you a little more about this place and the essential information to help you plan a day trip to St. Mary’s Island, Udupi.
History Of St. Mary’s Island
The islands are considered a very important geotourism site, thanks to the rare crystalized hexagonal basalt rock formations. There are many of these pillar-shaped rocks throughout the island. The interesting thing is that the rock formations are similar to the ones found on the African island of Madagascar. In fact, millions of years ago, the islands of Madagascar and Seychelles (currently off the African coast) were both connected to the Indian peninsular. But around 88 million years ago, due to some volcanic activity, the islands drifted apart.
St. Mary’s Island has one more interesting story, this one involving the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. It’s believed that when Vasco De Gama was traveling to Kerala from Portugal in 1498, he made a pitstop in between. He happened to halt at one of the 4 islands, put a cross there and dedicated it to Mother Mary by naming it “O Padrão de Santa Maria”. There’s no concrete evidence of this story but it’s pretty cool in any case.
How To Get To St. Mary’s Island
Getting to the island today is not a huge task, since it’s actually very easily accessible. The little coastal town of Malpe is the only place from which you can reach St. Mary’s Island. There are ferries running between 09:00 am and 06:00 pm, which you can get at Malpe’s port. The ferry ride takes around 20 minutes only. You can get a return ticket for up to ₹300.
Getting To St. Mary’s Island By Air
The Mangalore International Airport is just around 62 kms away from Malpe’s port. You can easily get a cab, rickshaw or a bus to reach Malpe.
Getting To St. Mary’s Island By Rail
You can get a train to Udupi Railway Station, which is situated just around 8 kms away from the port. From the station, it’s a very quick and short drive to Malpe.
Getting To St. Mary’s Island By Road
Mangalore has pretty well-connected roads so you can easily get a KSRTC bus (Karnataka State Transport). You could just as easily get a bus through many private players or simply drive yourself if you have a vehicle.
Best Time To Visit St. Mary’s Island
November to March is considered as the best time to visit because of the favorable weather. Although, October is when there will be relatively fewer people. What you should know is that St. Mary’s Island is only open from September to May. It is not accessible during the monsoon season because of high tide and the risks involved. But even in September or May, it could be closed if heavy rains or high tide are expected. So best not to plan your trip then.
Things To Know About St. Mary’s Island
- You get to spend a limited amount of time at St. Mary’s Island. Around an hour and a half only.
- There are no stalls or shops at the island, so make sure you carry sufficient bottles of water.
- You are not allowed to go for a swim in certain parts of the islands as the rocks don’t make it safe to do so.
- The island has rules regarding carrying plastic items. If you’re carrying any plastic bottles or chips packets, please carry an extra bag for your garbage and dispose of it appropriately once you’re back on the mainland.
FAQs
Is St Mary’s Island Open?
Yes, St. Mary’s Island is open for tourists. However, remember the ferry timings and the closure in the monsoon season before planning a trip there.
How Do You Get To St Mary’s Island?
St. Mary’s Island is fairly accessible, but the only true way to reach it is by taking the ferry across from the small coastal town of Malpe near Udupi. You can reach Malpe by taking a flight to Mangalore International Airport, taking a train to Udupi or simply driving.
Why Is St Mary’s Island Closed?
St. Mary’s Island is always closed and access is shut to visitors from the months of June to September. This is the monsoon season, and the risk of storms, high tides and strong waves are too high to allow visitors to take ferry rides across.
Is St Mary’s Open Today?
St. Mary’s Island is open on every day of the week, but can only be accessed in the daytime since the ferries run only from 9 am to 6 pm.
What Is The Local Name Of St Mary’s Island Near Malpe?
The local name of St. Mary’s Island is Coconut Island or Thonsepar.
Where Is St Mary’s Island?
Though associated with Udupi, St. Mary’s Island is actually a little away from Udupi and closer to the smaller coastal town of Malpe. Malpe is located near Udupi.
Is Malpe Beach Safe?
Yes, Malpe beach is relatively safe. But unlike the beaches of Goa, there’s no lifeguards, and even if there were, that’s no reason to take risks. Nature is a powerful force so stay in the shallows and avoid straying too far into the sea.
How Big Is St Mary’s Island?
St. Mary’s Island actually comprises four small islands, of which the biggest and most prominent covers an area of about 1,640.4 ft in length and 328.1 ft in width.
How Many Islands Are There In India?
India has a total of 1,382 identified islands.
