St. Mary’s Island (Latitude 13° 20′ 60″ N; Longitude 74° 40′ 60″ E ) are a group of small islands lying a little to the north of the port of Malpe 7 kms form Udupi. Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498 on one of these islands which he called `EI Padron de Santa Maria’. It is from this that these islands got their present name. They are just a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the western or Arabian Sea around Malpe.
The northern-most island is about a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width. It has coconut gardens which make it the shadiest of all the islands and give it a true South Sea colour. The island is noted for its famous basalt rocks which Kulkunda, where a large cattle fair is held at the time of the have crystallized into columns and split into hexagonal mosaic. Perhaps, this is the only spot in India where basaltic rocks show up such peculiar formation.
It is a really geological monument and tourists heaven.
The islands hold out possibilities of being developed into a popular holiday resort.
Daily Trip to St. Mary’s Island ( 9.00 am to 5.00 pm )
For Tickets to St. Mary’s Island: +91 820 2538779
For more information
Asst. Director Tourism
Regional Tourist Office
Krishna Building, Car Street, Udupi 576 101
Phone: +91 820 2529718
Booking Office: +91 820 2538779
Asst. Director Fisheries
Malpe port, Malpe- 576 108
Phone: +91 820 2537801
