St Mary's Island is a group of small islands lying a little to the north of the port of
Malpe, 7 km from
Udupi. They are a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the sea. It is believed that Vasco-da-gama had landed on one of these islands in 1498.
The northern most island in the group is noted for its basalt rocks occurring in a peculiar formation. It is the only spot in India where such a phenomenon is observed. The island, which is a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width, has coconut gardens and is the most attractive in the group.
