Main Info
Malpe Beach, Udupi Overview
Malpe beach is situated at a distance of 6 km from Udupi and 66 km from Mangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the most popular beaches in the world, well-known for its raw beauty and panoramic view of the sea. You will be mesmerized by its clean white sand and pleasurable weather and at the same time you can carry out myriad adventurous water sport activities.
This beach has not been explored much and hence, is also regarded as a hidden gemstone of Karnataka. The beach comprises of four rocky islands viz. Daria-Bahadurgad in the North, Daria-Gadara-Kallu in the middle, and Kari-Illada-Kallu in the South. St. Mary’s Island is the fourth and the most visited island in comparison to others. It is nestled at the mouth of the Udyavara River, which is also known as Malpe River. It is one of the best tourist destinations near Udupi that has thrilling water sports, pleasant weather, a calm atmosphere, and 24/7 wi-fi connectivity.
More on Malpe Beach: Activities at Malpe Beach
Water Sports
At Malpe beach, you should undertake several fun-filled and adventurous water sport activities with family and friends. A few of the water sports such as Jet Ski, speed boat rides, water scooter rides, banana rides, speed boat cruises, and surfing gives you an opportunity to unravel the beauty of this untouched island.
The Jet Ski is one of the most popular rides on the island and it comprises activities such as motorcycle, waterskiing, and speedboat. You should take up these activities during the evenings to get an amazing and memorable experience. Majority of the travelers jet ski to a nearby St. Mary’s Island which is situated 6 km away from Malpe beach. You can also take a boat ride to the nearby backwaters to enjoy the astonishing sight around the beach.
Adventure Activities
Malpe beach is surrounded by rocky islands on all four sides and therefore, it provides you with an opportunity to carry out adventurous activities such as trekking, kayaking, rock climbing white river rafting, and rappelling. The island is famous for an exceptional and breathtaking activity known as parasailing. Like paragliding, parasailing is done partly over the beach and partly over the sea. The clear and pristine water is also suitable for swimming and if you want, take a long walk along the soft and moist sand of the beach.
Other Attractions at Malpe Beach
Malpe beach is packed with interesting places to explore. In addition to the scenic and pleasurable view of the surroundings, you can also witness a breathtaking and enchanting view of the sunrise and sunset. The beach also has a remarkable statue of Mahatma Gandhi made out of white marble. You should also travel to St. Mary’s island which is situated about a 30-minute ride from Malpe beach. You can also explore the magnificent geological formation of columnar basaltic lava in the Coconut Islands and Thansepar islands in the Arabian Sea.
Malpe has quite a number of temples and forts that will stun you with its architecture and rich cultural heritage. One such temple is Balarama temple which was built by Mogaveeraking Maindan. It is a commendable work of architecture with large verandas. The fort of Daria-Bahadurgad is another tourist attraction located off the shore of Malpe. The fort was built by Basavappa Nayaka of Bidanur and this region is well-known for its fish exports to foreign countries. Moreover, it is also popular for its rich history of old tile factories and temples.
Spring Zouk Festival
Spring Zouk Festival is a local festival celebrated in the Malpe beach during the month of February. It is mainly celebrated to entertain the tourists and to bring them closer to the local culture and traditions. The festival is filled with vibrant music, amazing DJ’s, delicious cuisines, art, and culture. Thirty musical bands perform in this festival over a period of three days and in addition to this, various local folk musicians also participate in the festival.
Best Time To Visit Malpe Beach
The ideal time to visit Malpe is during the months of October to February. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant. The clear weather adds to your enjoyable experience of undertaking various water sport activities. However, you should avoid traveling to the beach during the hot summer months or the rainy season.
What to Eat at Malpe Beach
You will have a difficult choice to make among a wide array of multi-cuisine restaurants located nearby, that serve both Indian and international cuisines. If you are a non-vegetarian, do not miss out on the authentic seafood in Malpe. However, vegetarians do not need to worry, as a lot of delicious options are available for them too. Also, try the refreshing coconut water from any of the coconut vendor stalls spread across the beach.
How to Reach Malpe Beach
You can reach Malpe beach by using any means of transportation. There are direct private bus services to Malpe beach from Udupi via Malpe town. The beach is located just 2 km from this town and you can reach the place by hiring autos or private taxis and it will cost you around INR 20. The beach is located 9 km away from the Udupi railway station and as per your convenience, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw directly from the railway station to the beach.
