St Mary’s Island travel guide: ferry, rocks and day trips

This St Mary’s Island travel guide covers a small cluster of uninhabited islands in the Arabian Sea off Malpe, in Karnataka’s Udupi district, famous for tall, many-sided columns of volcanic rock rising from the shore. You reach them by a short ferry from Malpe beach, spend an hour or two ashore, and come back the same day. There is no place to stay, no shop and no reliable fresh water on the island, so you plan around the boat and the tides.

St Mary’s Island is a group of four small, uninhabited islands off Malpe near Udupi, Karnataka, reached only by ferry from Malpe beach. It is a National Geological Monument known for columnar lava rock. Visits are day-only; carry your own water.

St Mary’s Island travel guide: the quick facts

St Mary’s Island, also called Coconut Island (locally Thonsepar), sits just off the coast of Malpe, about 5–6 km west of Udupi town. According to the Karnataka Tourism listing, it is a group of four small islands known for rare columnar rock formations and a legendary link to Vasco da Gama.

The islands are uninhabited and have no hotels, restaurants or permanent fresh-water supply. You go for the rock formations, the shell-strewn beach and the sea views, then return to Malpe before the last boat. Treat it as a half-day add-on to a Udupi or coastal-Karnataka trip rather than a destination in itself.

Here is the shape of a visit at a glance:

• What it is: four small uninhabited islands; the largest is Coconut Island, where boats land.
• How you get there: a short ferry (roughly 20–30 minutes) from Malpe beach or the Malpe port jetty.
• How long you stay: a day visit only; time ashore is often limited to about an hour at busy times.
• Season: boats run outside the monsoon, broadly October to May, and are suspended in the rough monsoon sea.
• Facilities: very limited on the island, so carry water, snacks, sun cover and a carry-bag for your litter.

The columnar rock and why it is a geological monument

The islands’ signature feature is a set of tall, straight-sided stone columns, many of them five- or six-sided, packed together like a bundle of pencils. These formed when molten lava cooled and contracted, cracking into regular polygonal columns. Karnataka Tourism describes them as “columnar basalt rock formations” created by sub-aerial sub-volcanic activity.

The Geological Survey of India lists the site as “Columnar Basalt, Coconut Islands” and recognises it as a National Geological Monument, a status noted from 1975. It is one of only a handful of places in India where such columnar lava is so clearly exposed, which is why the formations are protected rather than ordinary beach rock.

On the science, keep two things straight. Published geological studies describe the rock’s composition as acidic (reported as dacite and rhyolite) rather than true basalt, even though the popular and official monument name uses “basalt.” Separately, researchers have linked the volcanic activity that formed the lava to the break-up of the India–Madagascar landmass roughly 88 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous. Both points are drawn from geological reporting, so treat the “basalt” label as the site’s traditional name and the age as a dated scientific estimate.

The Vasco da Gama story

According to a long-repeated account, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama stopped here on his 1498 voyage, fixed a cross on one island and dedicated it to Mary, the mother of Jesus, giving the group its European name before sailing on to Calicut. Karnataka Tourism repeats that the islands were named in 1498 after “St. Maria.”

Treat this as tradition rather than firmly documented local history. It is a nice story to know before you land, but nothing on the island today is a verified relic of that visit, so enjoy it as legend and give the rock formations your real attention.

Best time to visit St Mary’s Island

The season is set by the sea, not the calendar alone. Ferries run when the Arabian Sea is calm, broadly from October to May, and stop when the south-west monsoon makes the crossing unsafe. The calmest, clearest conditions are usually from October to January.

District authorities impose an annual monsoon ban on the crossing. For the 2024 season, as reported by Udayavani, the island was closed from 15 May and reopened to tourists on 15 September. Exact dates shift year to year with the weather, so confirm before you travel.

How to reach Malpe and the island

Every trip has two legs: reach Malpe on the mainland, then take the ferry across. Malpe is the launch point, so you base your travel on getting there first.

By air: fly into Mangaluru, the closest airport, then drive about 60 km north to Udupi and on to Malpe. Mangaluru has the widest choice of domestic flights on this stretch of coast; check the Airports Authority of India for current operations.

By train: Udupi is the nearest major station and the easiest rail arrival. Trains along the Konkan line connect it with Mangaluru, Goa and Mumbai; check live running and current services on NTES before booking.

By road: NH66 links Udupi with Mangaluru and the wider coast, with regular buses and taxis. From Udupi town it is a short hop to Malpe beach and the jetty by auto or bus. For orientation to the wider region, see our Karnataka travel guide and our Udupi travel guide.

The Malpe ferry: how it works

Boats leave from Malpe beach and the Malpe port jetty across the open season. Wikipedia’s summary of the service gives operating hours of roughly 9 am to about 5:30 pm with an average frequency of around 20 minutes outside the monsoon, which matches how the crowded tourist boats run in practice.

The large tourist boats usually wait for a minimum group, commonly cited as about 30 passengers, before each departure, so there can be a wait at quiet times and quick turnarounds when crowds are heavy. Udayavani’s reopening report notes that boats are equipped with life jackets, life buoys, first-aid kits and trained lifeguards.

On fares, reported figures sit around ₹300 per person for the shared tourist boat, with higher prices mentioned on peak weekends; the most specific figure we found is from 2022, so treat it as a planning estimate only and reconfirm at the ticket counter. Speed boats are sometimes available at a higher rate for a faster crossing.

• Buy tickets at the Malpe jetty counter on the day; there is usually no advance online booking for the shared boat.
• Go early in the day to beat the crowds and keep your options open if a later sea swell cuts the service short.
• Build in waiting time both ways; the “30-minute crossing” does not count the queue.
• If the sea looks rough or officials have paused sailings, do not push it. The crossing is weather-dependent for a reason.

Things to see and do

The island is small and the pleasures are simple: the rock columns, the beach and the sea. Keep your expectations grounded, because the appeal is the geology and the setting, not facilities or activities.

Look, don’t climb. The columns are fragile and protected, and the rock edges by the water are slippery. Stand back for photographs rather than clambering onto the formations. Swimming off the island can be risky because of currents and the rocky bed, so follow any guard’s instructions and keep children close.

A suggested day plan

A single well-paced day covers the island and the best of Udupi. Treat this as a template and shift it around the first available boat.

• Early morning: reach Malpe, buy ferry tickets and take one of the first boats while the sea is calm and the island is quiet.
• Late morning: explore the rock columns and beach, then catch a return boat back to Malpe.
• Midday: lunch at Malpe or back in Udupi town; rest through the hottest hours.
• Afternoon: visit the Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, or drive to Kaup beach and its lighthouse for sunset.

Where to stay

You cannot stay on the island, so base yourself in Malpe or Udupi and make it a day trip. Malpe puts you closest to the jetty and the beach; Udupi town has more hotels, food and transport links.

These are planning estimates, not quotes. Rates climb sharply on weekends, during the festival season and in peak winter months, so book ahead if you are travelling then. Homestays around Udupi are a good-value alternative for families.

Food to try

Udupi is the home of a famous vegetarian cuisine, so eat on the mainland before and after the boat. Carry only water and light snacks to the island itself.

• Masala dosa (crisp rice-and-lentil crepe with a spiced potato filling), a dish strongly associated with Udupi kitchens.
• Neer dosa (soft, thin rice-batter crepe) with coconut chutney or a coastal curry.
• Goli baje (fluffy fried flour dumplings, also called Mangalore bajji), a local tea-time snack.
• Coastal seafood such as fish curry and fried fish at Malpe, where the fishing harbour keeps it fresh.

There is no reliable drinking water on the island, so fill a bottle before you board and avoid single-use plastic where you can.

Budget for a day trip

A St Mary’s Island day trip is inexpensive once you are in Udupi; the main costs are the ferry and your food and local transport. The table below is a planning estimate for one person on a day visit, not a fixed quote.

Rules and responsible-geology notes

No permit is needed to visit St Mary’s Island; the only hard constraints are the season, the daylight-only rule and the protection of the rock. Karnataka Tourism states the island is open during daylight hours with no overnight stays, and asks visitors to respect the protected geological site.

• Day visits only. Nobody stays overnight; plan to be back on the last boat.
• Do not climb or break the columns. They are a protected National Geological Monument and are fragile; keep off the formations.
• Carry out your litter. There is little or no waste collection; take back everything you bring, especially plastic.
• Carry your own water and snacks. Facilities are limited to non-existent on the island.
• Follow the guards and the sea. Stay out of marked danger zones and skip the crossing if sailings are paused.

Treat the geology as the whole point of the trip. These columns took tens of millions of years to form and cannot be replaced; a careful visit keeps them there for the people who come after you. For more coast-friendly travel ideas, see our round-up of beaches in India.

Practical tips and safety

A little preparation makes the difference, because the island strips away the usual safety nets of a tourist site.

• Water and sun: there is almost no shade; carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and go early in the day.
• Footwear: wear grippy sandals or shoes; the rock and shell beach are uneven and slippery near the waterline.
• Cash and UPI: carry some cash for the jetty and autos; UPI works in Udupi and Malpe but may be patchy at the counter, so do not rely on it alone.
• Connectivity: mobile signal can be weak on the island; download maps and tell someone your plan.
• Medical: there are no medical facilities on the island; the nearest hospitals are in Udupi town, a short drive from Malpe.
• Solo and women travellers: the shared boats and the island are busy by day; stick to daylight boats, keep to the group and avoid the last, emptiest crossing.
• Time ashore: at peak times you may get only about an hour on the island, so see the columns first and wander afterwards.

Nearby places

St Mary’s Island pairs naturally with the beaches and the temple town around Udupi. All of these are close enough to add to the same trip.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to St Mary’s Island?

You reach St Mary’s Island only by ferry from Malpe beach, near Udupi in coastal Karnataka. First get to Malpe, about 5–6 km from Udupi town, then take a shared tourist boat across. The crossing is roughly 20–30 minutes. There is no bridge or road to the island.

Is St Mary’s Island open all year?

No. Boats run outside the monsoon, broadly October to May, and are suspended when the sea turns rough. District authorities impose an annual monsoon ban; in 2024 the island was closed from 15 May and reopened on 15 September, as reported by local press. Dates vary yearly, so confirm before travelling.

How much does the St Mary’s Island ferry cost?

Reported fares sit around ₹300 per person for the shared tourist boat, with higher prices on peak weekends. The most specific figure available is from 2022, so treat it as a planning estimate and reconfirm at the Malpe jetty counter. Speed boats cost more for a faster crossing.

Can you stay overnight on St Mary’s Island?

No. St Mary’s Island is a day-visit site with no overnight stays, no accommodation and no shops. Karnataka Tourism says it is open only during daylight hours. Base yourself in Malpe or Udupi, carry your own water and snacks, and plan to return on one of the last boats.

Why is St Mary’s Island famous?

St Mary’s Island is famous for its columnar lava rock, a National Geological Monument recognised by the Geological Survey of India. The tall, many-sided stone columns formed from cooling lava, and studies link the volcanic activity to the ancient India–Madagascar break-up. A legend also ties the island to Vasco da Gama’s 1498 voyage.

What should you carry to St Mary’s Island?

Carry drinking water, light snacks, sun protection, a hat and grippy footwear, plus some cash for the jetty and autos. There is little shade, no reliable water and almost no facilities on the island, so take back all your litter, especially plastic, and keep off the fragile rock columns.

Last updated and sources

St Mary’s Island suits travellers who enjoy unusual geology and quiet beaches and are happy with a simple, no-frills day out. Go between October and January for the calmest seas, and treat the trip as a half-day add-on to a Udupi or coastal-Karnataka itinerary.

Last updated: 2 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Karnataka Tourism — St Mary’s Island; Karnataka Tourism — Malpe Beach; Geological Survey of India, National Geological Monuments (via Wikipedia summary); St. Mary’s Islands (Wikipedia, for primary details and ferry hours); Udayavani — Saint Mary’s Island reopens for tourists (2024); Udupi Tourism — St Mary’s Island, Malpe; NTES (Indian Railways train running); Airports Authority of India. Accessed October 2026.

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