In today’s blog post, discover the list of must-see places in Udupi for your next long weekend adventure.

Last October, I travelled to Udupi for a week. It was an unexpectedly memorable road trip full of crystal-clear waters,  white and golden sandy shores, mangrove forests, ancient caves, jungle trails, and mesmerizing sunsets.

If that sounds like your ideal vacation, here’s a list of the must-see places in Udupi you shouldn’t overlook during your stay. Also, you can refer to my other blog posts, namely, the Udupi travel guide, must-do day trips from Udupi, and a 6-day Udupi itinerary.

• Malpe Beach
• Delta Point
• Kodi Bengare Beach
• Kapu Beach
• Kapu Lighthouse
• Malpe Sea Walk
• St. Mary’s Island
• Sri Krishna Math

Don’t have time to read the whole thing now? No worries. You can always bookmark the page or save my Instagram post for later access.

The first must-see place in Udupi is Malpe Beach and my favourite.

MALPE BEACH

If I had to recommend one place to visit in Udupi, it would be Malpe Beach. The long stretch of golden sand beach is peaceful, serene and has the best sunsets.

I was staying right on the beach and was able to experience it during the quiet early mornings without crowds, and in the evening when it was bustling with beachgoers.

Also, I  was visiting in October, so that might have been another reason for the fewer people.

Besides a long stretch of clean, sandy shores, there are a  couple of restaurants and hotels, a handful of kiosks selling souvenirs, handbags, T-shirts and more. The entire scene reminded me of Calangute Beach in Goa, only better.

Visualise Calangute beach, but without the dense and rowdy crowd. And much cleaner and peaceful.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you’re travelling to Malpe Beach between September and November, don’t forget to catch the sunset. It is one for the books. Also, once the sun sets, don’t immediately pack up and leave. There’s no rush. The real magic is yet to unfold. Wait 10-15 minutes. That’s when the beautiful orange, pink, purple and lilac shades start to darken. That will leave you awestruck.

DELTA POINT

The Delta Point is underrated and one of the must-visit places in Udupi. It is a short drive from Malpe Beach.

Not just Delta Point, but the drive there is just as scenic and serene. Picture this, a narrow single tar road running between towering, densely populated coconut and betel nut groves on one side and lush emerald-green paddy fields on the other side. Along the way, pass through small colourful houses clustered together. And, as you approach Delta point, you’ll catch glimpses of the sea on your left.

Tucked behind the handful of colourful houses is the Delta Point. It is here that the Sita and Swarna rivers amalgamate to flow into the Arabian Sea.

Had I seen a photo of the Delta Point with its white sandy beach and blue water, I would have assumed it was a beach somewhere abroad. I never imagined that such beautiful beaches existed in India.

Upon reaching Delta Point, here’s what you should do. Walk around a bit, then take a boat ride to see the amalgamation of the two rivers.

On a clear day, you can differentiate the clear blue water of the Sita River from the slightly green shade of the Swarna River.  

You can also enjoy a boat ride among the mangrove forests in the distance.

Across from Delta Point, a short distance away, you’ll see enormous ships being built, dismantled, or repaired. That’s the boatyard where the marine and naval boats are sent for repairs and other things. Interestingly, it’s also where the humongous casino ships you see in Goa are built.

I was fortunate enough to see one such ship being built. From a distance, they appear big, but when you get close, that’s when you realise their monstrosity.

KODI BENGARE BEACH

The next site on the list of must-visit places in Udupi is the Kodi Bengare Beach. It is another one of my favourites.

To reach here, you don’t have to go far. Simply walk towards the colourful houses near the Delta Point. Continue till you reach a series of steps in a stone wall. On the other side of the wall is the beach.

Kodi Bengare Beach and Delta Point are like the left and right sides of a mini peninsula.

People might think that Delta Point and Kodi Bengare Beach are one and the same, but I think not.

Delta Point has a small shore, and I wouldn’t recommend swimming here. Whereas Kodi Benagre has a larger shore with slightly calmer waters, suitable for swimming.

This beach is a prime example of the golden sand beach and turquoise and emerald waters. I wouldn’t have believed that I was in India and not abroad, had I not been there.  

I think the reason I liked this beach even more was that there were no people. There was only one family besides mine at the beach.

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds at Malpe Beach, head over to Kodi Bengare Beach. This secluded slice of paradise is perfect for soaking in the vitamin sea, enjoying a picnic or catching the sunset.

KAPU BEACH

If you’re not yet tired of visiting beaches. I have another one for you. It is Kapu Beach.

Kapu Beach is just as stunning as the previously mentioned beaches, but what sets it apart are the water activities available to beachgoers and the massive lighthouse atop a hill.

You can ride the jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, scuba diving, bumper rides and more.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in any of the activities because it had rained torrentially that morning, and the sea was rough. Therefore, it was unfit for most activities. If the activities were operational, I would have spent more time here.

For those interested in scuba diving, I’ve attached a photo below with the contact details.

Kapu Beach is the perfect place for an eventful beach day. Swim in the shallow, calm waters and eat your way through the various shacks and stalls along the shore.  

I would recommend going to Kapu Beach around 4 o’clock. Swim, eat, and partake in the activities. Before the sun sets, head to the lighthouse.

TRAVEL TIP:- Walk past the shops and restaurants towards the lighthouse. On the right side, you’ll see a small section of backwaters. It is a great place for photos.

KAPU LIGHTHOUSE

The next on the list is the Kapu Lighthouse atop a small hill at one end of Kapu Beach.

The Kapu lighthouse, with its white and navy blue stripes, stands tall and dominating like a sentinel overlooking the sea. It is a stunning sight.

Lighthouses have always fascinated me. So when I read about the Kapu Lighthouse, I had to visit. Initially, I planned to visit in the evening, but the hotel I was staying at told me that it closes at sunset, so I went in the morning. Only to learn that it is open in the evening.

Unfortunately, I had to settle for admiring the lighthouse from afar.

I would recommend going to Kapu Lighthouse in the evening. I can only imagine how beautiful the view from up there would be, especially at sunset.

TIMINGS:- The Kapu Lighthouse is open daily from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

MALPE SEA WALK

Located at the end of Malpe Beach, near the dockyard, is a concrete path built over the water breakers known as Malpe Sea Walk.

When I say at the end of Malpe Beach, I don’t mean that it’s within walking distance. The best and only way to get there is by vehicle. It is next to the docks. If you arrive at a certain hour, you’ll see the fishing boats unloading fresh seafood to be auctioned at the fish market.

From the large parking lot, walk a short distance to reach the sea walk. Along the way, you’ll find statues of a giant fish, a sea witch/monster, a slide, and more.

The sea walk is a bit long, and I arrived in the afternoon, so the heat was unbearable. So, I walked a short distance to take pictures and then found a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the view.

If the entrance to the Malpe Sea Walk hadn’t closed in the evenings, I would have loved to sit there and watch the sun set over the horizon.

TRAVEL TIP:- The Malpe Sea Walk is free to visit, but you’ll have to pay for parking.

TIMINGS:- The Malpe Sea Walk is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ST. MARY’S ISLAND

The one place I wanted to visit in Udupi but deeply regret missing out on is St. Mary’s Island.

You must be wondering what’s so special about it. Well, St Mary’s Island is home to column-shaped basalt rock formations, which were created as a result of volcanic activity. It reminds me of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. Only smaller.

These rock formations are one of India’s National Geological monuments and are a popular geo-tourism site.

Besides the volcanic rocks, St. Mary’s Island is known for its crystal clear waters and pristine beaches.

As I mentioned earlier, I was travelling during October, and the monsoons were still prevalent in the area. Therefore, for safety reasons, all the boats to St. Mary’s Island were suspended.

There are a couple of places from which you can board a boat to St. Mary’s Island. One of them is Malpe Beach. Another is the ticket counter near Malpe Sea Walk. You can buy the ferry ticket from here.

TICKETS:- For adults, tickets cost Rs. 350 and for children, Rs. 150. There is a fee for professional and drone cameras.

SRI KRISHNA MATH

Last on the list of must-visit places in Udupi is the Sri Krishna Math.

This was an unexpected surprise.

When I heard the word Math, I assumed it was a building with large halls and yogi babas. So, I wasn’t eager to visit. But my mother wanted to go. And as you know, there’s no telling Indian mothers no.

Now, I’m glad that my mother was adamant about visiting.

The entrance to the temple was narrow and simple. I had almost missed it, but the interior was a different story. To reach the main temple, you have to walk the length of the complex.

The path is covered and provides a reprieve from the blistering afternoon sun.

While walking, you’ll come across a kund with a small temple in the middle. It is a great photo spot.

While photography is permitted in the temple complex, it’s banned inside the gabhargriha. That’s a bit disappointing, because the interior is beautiful.

The interiors are decorated with intricate designs carved into wood and murals on the walls.

TRAVEL TIP:- The room where the idol rests is closed. You have to see the god through a small window. If there’s a long queue, you’ll be urged to move within seconds, so be prepared to catch a glimpse.

CONCLUSION

That concludes the list of must-visit places in Udupi.

When my parents had planned this road trip to Udupi, I hadn’t expected to be blown away by the beauty of this underrated destination. I had seen photos on Instagram, but they don’t do justice to the reality.

Hopefully, this blog post was helpful and inspiring. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

If not now, when?

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