St. Mary’s Islands: Where Vasco Da Gama first set foot before reaching Calicut

St. Mary’s Islands, locally known as Coconut Island and Thonsepar, consist of four small islands in the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka. The islands are surrounded by crystal-clear waters that shimmer in shades of turquoise and deep blue under the tropical sun. The coastline is not the usual sandy beach but is adorned with smooth, sun-bleached basalt stones and vibrant seashells scattered along the shore. 

Amid blue waters, towering rock pillars stand like nature’s sculptures, shaped by time and volcanic activity from millions of years ago.

In 1498, during his historic voyage from Portugal, Vasco da Gama landed at St. Mary's Islands. He erected a cross on one of the islands, naming it O Padrão de Santa Maria in honour of the Blessed Mother Mary, giving the islands their present name.

Also Read: Kadiya Dhro: The hidden Grand Canyon of India 

Of the four islands, the northernmost one features basaltic rock formations in a distinctive hexagonal pattern, unique in India. This island spans around 500 m in length and 100 m in width, full of lush coconut trees, set against the backdrop of the azure sea that earned it the nickname Coconut Island. These islands remain uninhabited.

Geotourism and access by boat

Access to the islands is only via Malpe, a bustling fishing harbour town located 5 km west of Udupi, the administrative hub for the islands. About 4 miles from the mainland, reaching the islands requires a 30-minute boat ride from Malpe Beach. 

It is an enchanting journey across the shimmering waters of the Arabian Sea. As the boat approaches St. Mary’s Islands, the first thing that catches the eye is the striking rock formations—tall hexagonal basalt columns rising dramatically from the shoreline, a rare and ancient geological wonder.

Also Read: Theri Kaadu: The red sand desert in Tamil Nadu

These islands are renowned for their unique geological features -- columnar rhyolitic lava formations. 

These formations are recognized as one of Karnataka's four geological monuments and are among the 34 National Geological Monuments of India designated by the Geological Survey of India in 2016. They are protected and promoted for their significance in geotourism.

Scientific research reveals that the basalt formations on St. Mary's Islands were created through subaerial subvolcanic activity that occurred when Madagascar was still connected to India around 88 million years ago.

Temples and Fauna

Comprised entirely of igneous rocks, these islands are a haven for seashells along their western coasts. 

Malpe itself boasts attractions like the Vadabhandeshwara Temple and a statue of Balarama consecrated by Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of Hindu philosophy.

Wildlife enthusiasts visiting the islands can spot colonies of gulls, sandpipers (Scolopacidae), and sometimes, crows. During the approach from Malpe Beach, sightings of Brahminy kites, great white egrets, breeding plumage grey egrets, and groups of large Asian green bee-eaters are also recorded, enhancing the island experience with diverse avian life.

Also Read: Wari Chora: Meghalaya's hidden canyon

Aligned parallel to the coastline, these islands offer insights into the uplift phenomena of India's western coast. Their terraces and raised beach deposits, along with tide gauge data from Suratkal, indicate a historical sea level drop of approximately 1 mm per year. The islands are closed during the monsoons.

Also Read: Bhedaghat's Marble Rocks that turn magical under moonlight

Look up our YouTube Channel