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{{For|individual islands named after Saint Mary|St Mary's Island (disambiguation){{!}}St Mary's Island}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = St. Mary's Islands
| native_name = Thonsepar
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Island
| image_skyline = St. Mary's islands, Udupi 1767.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|13.3795|N|74.6730|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Udupi]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 10
| population_total = 0
| population_as_of =
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| website =
| footnotes = Four Islands -Coconut Island, the North Island, the Daryabahadurgarh Island and the South Island
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
}}

'''St. Mary's Islands''', also locally known as '''Thonsepar''' (literally "Coconut Islands"), a set of four small uninhabited touristy islands in the [[Arabian Sea]] off the coast of [[Malpe]] in [[Udupi district]] of [[Karnataka]] state in [[India]], known for their distinctive geological formation of [[Columnar jointing|columnar rhyolitic]] lava,<ref name="GSI">{{cite web|url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529572&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&linkId=1068|title=Columnar Rhyolite|publisher=Geological Survey of India|access-date=2008-07-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721160132/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529572&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&linkId=1068|archive-date=2011-07-21}}</ref> which are one of the four [[List of National Geological Monuments in India|National Geological Monuments of India]] located in Karnataka state out of total 34 such monuments in India proscribed by the [[Geological Survey of India]] for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of [[geotourism]].<ref name=gsi1>{{Cite web |url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=12 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712055947/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529542&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="gsi2">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137573|title=Geo-Heritage Sites|date=2016-03-09|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|access-date=2018-09-15}}</ref><ref name=gsi3>[http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf national geo-heritage of India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111120428/http://naturalheritage.intach.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Geoheritage-Monograph.pdf |date=11 January 2017 }}, [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage|INTACH]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=137573 | title=Geo-Heritage Sites}}</ref>

Scientific studies indicate that the basalt of the St. Mary's Islands was formed by [[subaerial|sub-aerial]] [[subvolcanic rock|subvolcanic]] activity, because at that time [[Madagascar]] was attached to India. The rifting of Madagascar took place around 88 million years ago.<ref name ="subbu">{{cite news|title= Relative fall in Sea level in parts of South Karnataka Coast by K.R.Subramanya |url= http://www.ias.ac.in/j_archive/currsci/75/7/727-730/viewpage.html |publisher= Current Science Volume 75 Pages 727-730 |access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref>

==History==

With the [[discovery of the sea route to India]] in 1498, [[Vasco da Gama]] landed at St Mary's Islands, at the end of the voyage from the [[Kingdom of Portugal]]. Da Gama fixed a cross and named one of these islands ''O Padrão de Santa Maria'' in [[Indo-Portuguese|Portuguese]], as a [[Dedication (ritual)|dedication]] to [[St Mary]], the virgin-mother of [[Jesus Christ]], before proceeding to [[Calicut (Kozhikode)]] in the
[[Malabar region]], the present-day [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/from-the-red-pandas-of-sikkim-to-the-barren-islands-of-andaman-15-natural-wonders-in-india-you-should-know-about/495239-79.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901203500/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/from-the-red-pandas-of-sikkim-to-the-barren-islands-of-andaman-15-natural-wonders-in-india-you-should-know-about/495239-79.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2014|title= 15 natural wonders in India you should know about|access-date= 1 September 2014 |website=ibnlive.in.com/}}</ref><ref name="stm">{{cite news |first=Ganesh |last=Prabhu |title=A beach and an island to relax on |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/31/stories/2006033108730400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213072228/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/31/stories/2006033108730400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-12-13 |work= [[The Hindu]] |date=2006-03-31 |access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref>

==Geography ==

===Topography ===

Out of the four islands, the northernmost island has a basaltic rock formation in a hexagonal form, the only one of its type in India such as Malpe and others. The island covers an area which is about {{convert|500|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} in length with a width of {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}. It has prominent coconut trees, its cover reflecting an azure south sea colour, and hence the island is also called Coconut Island. There is no habitation on the islands.<ref>{{cite news|title=St Mary's Island |url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/St-Mary's-Island-34540.htm|access-date=2009-01-24}}</ref><ref name= "rocks">{{cite news |title=Where rocks tell a tale |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2002/09/16/stories/2002091600170300.htm|work= [[The Hindu]] |date=2002-09-16 |access-date=2009-01-24}}</ref>

The north–south aligned islands form a non-continuous chain. The four largest islands are Coconut Island, North Island, Daryabahadurgarh Island and South Island.<ref name ="doctor">{{cite news |title=Petrology and palaeomagnetism of volcanic rocks of the St. Marry Islands|url=http://www.library.iitb.ac.in/~mnj/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=d-00000-00---0PHD--00-1--0-10-0---0---0prompt-10---8-------0-1l--11-zh-50---20-help---10-3-1-00-0011-1-0gbk-00&cl=CL1.15&d=HASHd4daddfb6cf6efc64eb0c0&x=1 |work= Indian Institute of Technology, Doctoral thesis by A. B. Valsangkar |access-date= 2009-01-25}}</ref>

The islands are generally aligned parallel to the coast line, which provide clues to the phenomenon of uplift of the west coast of India. The islands' terraces and elevated beach deposits along with the tide gauge data at the dead oyster beach in [[Suratkal]] (further south of the islands) have been deduced as proof of the reported fall in sea level of about 1 mm/per year.<ref name ="subbu"/>

The highest elevation at Coconut Island, which has generated interest among geologists and tourists, is about {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} above msl with surrounding areas in the form of platforms in the elevation range of +{{convert|6|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}, +{{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}, +{{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on|1}} and + 0 m which are stated to have been formed by wave action pointing to an "episodic sea level rise or fall of land".<ref name ="subbu"/>

===Geology===
[[File:Basaltic rock formation in St Mary's Island, Karnataka.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A view of basaltic rock formation in St. Mary's Island.]]

The columnar basaltic lava found in these Islands, which is very well developed in the basalts of [[Deccan Traps]], exhibit an imposing range of hexagonal shaped or multi-faced (polygonal) columns split into a horizontal mosaic. In geological terms these are called "[[Columnar jointing|columnar joints]]".<ref name="GSI"/> The lava rocks form regular five, six or seven-sided pillars, called "laminar lava", and are found in varying heights in all the islands; the tallest of the columns is about {{Convert|6|m|abbr=on}}. Considering the importance and rarity of such an occurrence, these islands were classified as a National Geological Monument in 2001 by the [[Geological Survey of India]].<ref name="stm"/><ref name= "rocks "/>

The Deccan Traps that formed during [[Cretaceous]]–[[Eocene]] time about {{Mya|60}} emerged from the vast deluge of hot molten basaltic lava in the western part of India which is now seen as flat topped hills and step like terraces.<ref name="GSI"/>
Scientific studies carried out at the [[Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay]] on the [[petrology]], [[palaeomagnetism]] and [[volcanic]]s of the rocks of the island has brought out the following facts.<ref name ="doctor"/>
* Islands comprise fully of [[igneous]] rocks. They have [[acid]] composition that consist of [[dacite]]s, [[rhyodacite]]s, [[rhyolite]]s and [[granophyre]]s and carry basic patches.
* The columnar jointing pattern is well developed on Coconut Island.
* Mineralogically, [[plagioclase]], K-[[feldspar]], [[quartz]], [[Orthopyroxene|ortho-]] and [[clinopyroxene]]s, [[olivine]], [[magnetite]], and [[ilmenite]] are recorded in the ground mass phases
* [[Magnetic]] granulometric studies (susceptibility and [[hysteresis]] at different temperatures) of island rock samples indicate the presence of a multi domain (MD) state of magnetite. It is inferred that: "the formation of MD could have affected the stability and consistency of magnetic directions in these rocks" and that "this igneous body has been either annealed or could be an intrusive."
An analysis of [[palaeomagnetic]] data from India and [[Madagascar]] hypothesizes a new India–Madagascar fit related to the Late Cretaceous, directly prior to and during the early phase of Madagascar–India separation. A scientific study paper on Late Cretaceous India–Madagascar fit and timing of break–up related magmatism by several scholars reported in the Wiley Inter Science Journal states:<ref>{{cite news|title=Late Cretaceous India–Madagascar fit and timing of break-up related magmatism |url= http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119046866/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130105105802/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119046866/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2013-01-05| publisher=Wiley Inter science, Terra Nova Volume 12, Issue 5, pages 220-224| date=2002-01-18 |access-date=2009-01-25}}</ref> "St. Mary [[magmatism]] is linked to the initial break–up between India and Madagascar, and [[magmatism]] probably resulted from rift related extensional processes initially induced by the [[Prince Edward Islands|Marion]] [[hotspot (geology)|hotspot]] underlying southern Madagascar during the [[Late Cretaceous]]."

===Geological age===

There are different theories on the age of the St. Mary's Islands rocks. In the analysis reported in the above section it has been further concluded that the multi domain (MD) state found in these rocks are uncommon in the [[Deccan Traps]] and non-existent in the [[Rajmahal Hills|Rajmahal Traps]]. Six selected samples from the islands were subject to whole rock K-Ar dating. This yielded a mean age of 93.1±2.4 (2σ) vis-à-vis the age of the Rajmahal Traps of about 105-100 [[Annum|Ma]] and about 66-35 Ma of the Deccan Traps. With this appreciation, the author has concluded that the igneous activity of St. Mary's Islands may represent [[Cretaceous]]-[[Tertiary period|Tertiary]] [[igneous]] activity.<ref name ="doctor"/>

In a further analysis of the age of the break-up of Greater India (India plus [[Seychelles]]) and Madagascar it has been inferred to have occurred in the Upper Cretaceous at 88 [[Annum|Ma]]. The strength of this inference is based on the approach that the [[Felsic]] [[volcanic]]s ([[rhyolites]] and [[Rhyodacite]]s) of the St. Mary's Islands (SMI), Southern India, were originally interpreted as a distant outlier of the 66 Ma Deccan volcanic province of west–central India, comprising dominantly flood basalts. Later studies had dated it at 93 Ma by the [[K-Ar dating]] technique. Since the technique used was a simple use of an average of five out of six widely varying dates and arbitrary data selectivity chosen, the results were not considered reliable. A method of 40Ar–39Ar ([[argon–argon dating]]) of the SMI volcanic yields is reportedly more reliable of the plateau and [[Isochron dating|isochron ages]]. The weighted mean isochron age is reported to be 85.6±0.9 Ma (2σ). The K–Ar ([[potassium-argon dating]]) technique adopted for the southern Indian [[Precambrian]] terrain, intruded by numerous mafic–doleritic [[dyke swarm]]s, the age from [[Proterozoic]] to the latest Cretaceous is reported as 69–66 Ma (Deccan-related). The two regional dykes (a leucograbbro and a felsite) from the [[Kerala]] region of southwestern India, which were also dated earlier, indicate the age as 85 Ma. Madagascar flood basalt province's 40Ar–39Ar ages of 89–85 Ma tallies with the SMI volcanic age. The conclusion drawn by the study is that the Madagascar flood basalt province, the SMI volcanics, and possibly the Kerala dykes may well represent volcanic activity associated with the break-up of Greater India and Madagascar, in the Upper Cretaceous at 88 Ma.<ref>{{cite journal
| last1 = Pande | first1 = Kanchan
| last2 = Sheth | first2 = Hetu C.
| last3 = Bhutani | first3 = Rajneesh
| title = 40Ar–39Ar age of the St. Mary's Islands volcanics, southern India: record of India–Madagascar break-up on the Indian subcontinent
| journal = Earth and Planetary Science Letters | volume = 193 | issue = 1–2
| pages = 39–46
| url = http://www.geos.iitb.ac.in/sheth/pandeetal(epsl2001).pdf
|date= 2001-11-30 | access-date=2009-01-24
|bibcode = 2001E&PSL.193...39P |doi = 10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00495-2 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.501.3666
}}</ref>

Another scientific study on the biogeographic and tectonic history of India reported that:<ref>{{cite journal
| title=The biogeographic and tectonic history of India
| journal = Journal of Biogeography | last = Briggs | first = J.C.
| volume = 30 | issue = 3 | pages = 381–388
| doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2003.00809.x
|date=March 2003 | doi-access = free }}</ref> "Although real breaks among the lands were indicated by the physical data, faunal links were maintained by agile animals that were able to surmount minor marine barriers. India, during its northward journey, remained close to [[Africa]] and Madagascar even as it began to contact [[Eurasia]]."

==Ecology==
[[File:Highest point on the Island.jpg|thumb|The highest point on St. Mary's Islands.]]

A detailed description of the natural [[flora]] and [[fauna]] of the islands and the Deria Bahdur Ghur (the islands north of the port of Malpe, named after the cross set up by Vasco da Gama), have been compiled in a manual by John Sturrocks, the district collector of Mangalore in 1894.<ref>{{cite journal
| last1 = Madhyastha | first = M.N.
| last2 = Abdul Rahiman | first2 = M.
| last3 = Kaveriappa | first3 = K.M.
| title = A Brief History of Scientific Technology, Research and Educational Progress of South Kanara, Karnataka State
| journal = Indian Journal of History of Science | year = 1982 | volume = 17 | issue = 2 | pages = 260–267
| url = http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/rawdataupload/upload/insa/INSA_1/20005af6_260.pdf
| access-date = 24 January 2009
}}</ref>

===Flora===

The largely barren St. Mary's islands, due to coconut palm-fringed coast, is also called the "Coconut Island" (locally known as Thonsepar). The sparse inland vegetation is restricted to hardy shrubbery capable of growing in shallow, rocky soil and sandy terrain.<ref name=rg1/><ref>[https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/st-marys-island-coconut-island-is-near-akarwar-class-11-social-science-cbse-6011699e69aa375987d5af10 Flora of St. mary's Islands], vedantu, accessed 26 Apr 2026.</ref>

===Fauna===

; Birdlife: The island's rocky shores is a breeding site or stopover for various birds. Colonies of [[gulls]], [[Scolopacidae]] ([[sandpiper]]s) and a few [[crow]]s have been sighted on the Islands. On the approach to the Islands from the Malpe beach, [[brahminy kite]]s (''Haliastur indus''), [[great white egrets]], grey [[egrets]] (breeding plumage) and groups of large [[Asian green bee-eater]]s have been recorded.<ref name ="news">{{cite news|title=St.Mary's Island|url=https://ifornature.blogspot.com/2007/01/stmarys-island.html|date=2007-01-30 |access-date=27 January 2009}}</ref><ref name=rg1/>

; Coral: There is presence of corals in the surrounding waters.<ref name=rg1/>

; Marine wildlife: The western coasts of the St. Mary's islands are abundant [[beachcombing]] and [[seashell]] haven with seashells of various shapes and sizes littered along the coast.<ref name=mar1/> The columnar basaltic rock formations provide a unique, rocky habitat that supports seaweeds and small crustaceans. Its marine life is dominated by 52 taxa of [[macroalgae]] ([[seaweed]]s), including 16 [[Chlorophyceae]] (green algae), 19 [[Phaeophyceae]] (brown algae), and [[Rhodophyceae]] (red algae).<ref name=rg1>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354042543_Marine_Macro_Algal_Diversity_of_St_Mary's_Island_Karnataka_India Marine Macro Algal DIversity of St. Mary's Islands in Karnataka], ResearchGate, , accessed 26 Apr 2026.</ref>

==Tourism ==

St. Mary's Island are popular among tourist for their unique geology unique volcanic hexagonal columnar basalt rock formations, and small coral patches and rocky outcrops that support marine life such as clownfish and butterflyfish, making them suitable for snorkeling and scuba diving tours which can be booked from Malpe beach jetty.<ref>[https://karnatakatourism.org/en/experiences/scuba-at-malpe-beach Scuba at Malpe beach], karnatakatourism.org, accessed 27 Apr 2026.</ref> St. Mary's Islands is scattered with unique basaltic rock formations, specially in the north, southwest and south. The beach has security guards who ensure that visitors do not venture into danger zones of the islands.<ref name=mar1>{{cite web
| title = St Marys Island, Udippi, Karnataka
| url = http://www.mapsofindia.com/karnataka/tourism/st-marys-island.html
| publisher = Maps of India | date = July 2011 | access-date = February 9, 2012
}}</ref>

Though the islands are bereft of resident population, buildings, hotels, resorts, or no domestic animals, there are tourist facilities such as covered pavilions with park benches on the shore and further inland, day time souvinir and food shop, toilets, etc. Visitors must carry drinking water and sunscreen since the climate is usually hot. Since the last few yards of the approach to the island involves wading, it may be preferable to avoid wearing sneakers. Visitors can wander around freely and enjoy the natural hexagonal-shaped rock formations from vantage locations.<ref name ="news"/>

==Transport==

; Boats to St. Mary's Islands:
All transport links to the island are only through the mainland town of Malpe, which is a major fishing harbor 5 km west of [[Udupi]] town, the administrative headquarters for the Islands.<ref name=Mal2/> The only way of travelling to the St. Mary's islands is wo minutes ride by ferries and boats which depart regularly from Malpe Beach and the Tegma jetty, operating daily between roughly 9 am and 5:30 pm with an average frequency of 20 minutes, though they do not operate during the June-September monsoon season.<ref name="GSI"/>

Malpe too has tourist attractions such as the 13th century Vadabhandeshwara Temple and an image of [[Balarama]] consecrated by the saint [[Madhvacharya]], the founder of the [[Dvaita]] school of thought.<ref name=Mal2>{{cite news|title=St Mary's Islands|url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/udupi/stmarysislands.htm |access-date=24 January 2009}}</ref>

; Airport:
[[Mangalore International Airport]] at [[Mangalore]], is {{convert|58|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} south of Malape. The famous religious town [[Udupi]], is about {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} west-northwest of Mangalore.

; Railway:

[[Udupi railway station]] (Station Code: UD) on the [[Konkan Railway]] (''map pictured''), {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from Malape, connects to [[Indian Railways]] network including [[Kundapura]], [[Goa]], [[Ratnagiri]], [[Mumbai]], [[Kochi]], [[Kazhakoottam]], [[Kanjiramattom]], and [[Thrippunithura]].<ref name="GSI"/>

; Roads:

Malape, is connected 5 km road to Udupi city from where motorists can access the [[National Highway 66 (India)|NH66]] which runs the entire length of [[Kanara|Coastal Karnataka]] (called "Kanara"), [[National Highway 169A (India)|NH169A]] to eastern and central Karnataka via [[Shimoga]] (Shivamogga), and [[List of state highways in Karnataka|Karnataka State Highway 37]] to [[Sestern Gahats]] in southwest.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery|width=150|height=150|File:St Mary's Island.JPG|A beach on one of the St. Mary's Islands
|File:St Mary's Island rocks.JPG|Rocks at St. Mary's Islands
|File:St Mary's island.JPG|A view from Ferry towards St. Mary's Islands
|File:St. Mary's Islands, Columnar Basaltic Lava.jpg|Another view of the Island
}}
[[File:St. Mary's Islands, Malpe beach, Karnataka 04.jpg|right|thumb|608x608px|Panoramic view of palm trees at St. Mary Island]]

==See also==
{{portal|Islands}}

* [[National Geological Monuments of India]]
* [[List of places with columnar jointed volcanics]]
* [[Flores Island (Azores)|Azores]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean]]
* [[Devils Postpile National Monument]] or [[The Cove Palisades State Park]] in the United States
* [[Fingal's Cave]] in Scotland
* [[Giant's Causeway]] in [[Northern Ireland]]
* [[Adam's Bridge]] in [[India]]-[[Sri Lanka]] border

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|St. Mary's Islands}}
*[https://touristinindia.com/saint-marys-islands-banana-boat-ride/ Udupi: St Mary's Islands – Nature at its Resplendent Best]

{{Hydrology of Karnataka|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:St. Mary's Islands, Karnataka}}
[[Category:Islands of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Beaches of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Geology of India]]
[[Category:Columnar basalts]]
[[Category:Geography of Udupi district]]
[[Category:National Geological Monuments in India]]
[[Category:Islands of India]]
[[Category:Uninhabited islands of India]]

St. Mary's Islands - Revision history

Khorang: Put Up Initial Entry More To Come