Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
28 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All India Malpe Thonsepar
AO Edited

Thonsepar

These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

Malpe, India

Added By
Sam
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.   Dilshad Roshan/CC BY-SA 4.0
A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.   Dilshad Roshan/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Nativeplants garden/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Bailbeedu/CC BY-SA 3.0
  Krishnakulkarni36/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Man On Mission/CC BY-SA 3.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Thonsepar, aka St. Mary's Islands, aka Coconut Island, sits in the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Karnataka state of India. The island is known for its distinctive geological formations, specifically the columnar joints (hexagon-shaped interlocking columns) that protrude from the earth.

The columnar joints vary in height, but the tallest of them measures approximately six meters (20 feet). According to geologists, the columns formed by subvolcanic activity roughly 60 million years ago as Madagascar split off from India.

The shape of these joints is the product of a physical process that can happen as melted lava rock solidifies. As a large amount of molten material cools, it starts to contract, creating cracks in the newly solid surface. The cracks extend down as the rock below the surface continues to cool, resulting in these unique rock formations. You can see similar formations at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Thonsepar was classified as a National Geological Monument in 2001 by the Geological Survey of India. 

Related Tags

Islands Beaches Volcanoes Rock Formations Geology Geological Oddities

Know Before You Go

The islands can only be reached by boat. For advanced boating service visit Malpe Beach, which is about 5 kilometers from the town of Udupi.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SamM

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

December 20, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/ts/2023/05/26/features-from-the-field-columnar-basalts-and-why-hexagons-are-natures-favourite-shape/
  • https://askanearthspacescientist.asu.edu/top-question/columnar-jointing
  • https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/why-88-million-year-old-island-coast-karnataka-geological-wonder-145575
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Islands
  • http://touristinindia.com/saint-marys-islands-banana-boat-ride/
Thonsepar
13.3795°N 74.6730°E
Malpe, 576108
India
13.377839, 74.673078

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 354
Stories 107

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 354
Stories 107

Related Places

  • Saint Paul, Antigua and Barbuda

    Pillars of Hercules

    A series of magical limestone formations along the coastline of the country island of Antigua.

  • Plug seen looking southeasterly, close-up.

    Mono City, California

    Basalt Plug

    This large chunk of dark rock is a relic from an ancient volcanic eruption.

  • Formica Léo

    Sainte Rose, Réunion

    Formica Léo

    On one of the world's most active volcanoes, a pebble-filled crater changes color with the wind.

  • Bonhomme de Bourail

    Bourail, New Caledonia

    Bonhomme de Bourail

    A beachside monolith shaped by years of waves crashing against hard quartz.

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Keahole Point Blowhole

    This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

  • Steins Pillar.

    Prineville, Oregon

    Steins Pillar

    This great stone guardian of the forest is a relic from the land's volatile volcanic past.

  • Nishinoshima continues to erupt.

    Ogasawara, Japan

    Nishinoshima

    This volcanic island in the Pacific just keeps growing and growing.

  • Luca Picciau/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    La Maddalena, Italy

    Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach)

    Crushed coral and crystals give the sand its signature coloration.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.