India GOBeaches in Udupi: which one and when
Udupi's beaches are for walking, sunsets and boats more than for swimming. Malpe, 6 km from town, is the busy one, with the harbour and the St Mary's Island ferry; Delta Beach is a sandbar at the river mouth; Kaup has the lighthouse; Padubidri has a marked bathing zone. The sea is open from November to March, rough in April, May and October, and closed from June to September.
Which beach for what
Matched to what you want from the day.
Malpe: the town beach and the ferry
Malpe is the beach most people mean, 6 km from town and reached by local bus. It sits next to Malpe Fishing Harbour, the largest in the district: arrive at first light and you see mackerel, seer, squid and prawn go straight from the boats to the quayside auction (closed shoes, strong smell).
St Mary's Island: basalt columns
A small group of islands off Malpe whose six-sided basalt columns, formed as lava cooled and cracked, the Geological Survey of India has declared a National Geological Monument. The ferry from Malpe takes roughly 15–30 minutes and does not run in the monsoon, roughly June to September. Nothing is sold on the island: carry water and shade, and keep an eye on the last boat back.
Delta Beach, Kodi Bengre: the river mouth
About 12–15 km from Udupi, beyond Malpe, the road runs out onto a spit with backwater on one side and the sea on the other, ending in a sandbar with water on three sides. The Suvarna estuary is calm enough for kayaks and small boats, and people drive out for the sunset over the river mouth. Entry is free and there is almost nothing here, so bring water.
Kaup: the lighthouse
About 15–17 km south of Udupi, a rocky headland beside a wide beach carries a lighthouse built in 1901, about 27 m tall, and on the same rock the remains of old basadis (Jain shrines) and a Mariamma temple. The tower opens only for a short late-afternoon window, and from its balcony the coast runs off in both directions. The water below the rocks pulls hard: this is a beach for the view, not for swimming.
Mattu: empty sand and a famous brinjal
Mattu, near Katapadi south of town, is a long, mostly empty stretch with coconut groves behind it, known locally for Mattu gulla, the green brinjal grown in the fields nearby. The current is strong and there are no lifeguards.
Padubidri: the one for a swim
Padubidri, about 25 km south of Udupi, is the district's Blue Flag beach, with a marked bathing zone, showers, walkways and bins, which is rare on this coast. It is busiest at sunset and on Sundays.
Uppinakudru: not a beach day
Uppinakudru, an island in the Panchagangavali backwaters near Kundapura reached by ferry, is known for its Yakshagana string puppets, kept by a few families, not for the sand.
Sea safety
From June to September the sea is closed to swimmers: entry has been officially banned in the monsoon after drownings, and the St Mary's ferry stops. In April, May and October the sea is often rough. Even in season most of this coast has no lifeguards; Padubidri's marked zone is the safer choice for a swim. Stay out of the water where a river meets the sea, as at Delta Beach, and below the rocks at Kaup; at Mattu the current is strong.
When to go to the beach
November to February is the beach season: almost no rain, days around 33 °C and the sea open. March is still dry and open, and hotter. Figures by month are on the Udupi weather page; sunset spots are on the sunset points page.
FAQ
Which is the best beach in Udupi?
Malpe is the main beach, with the harbour and the St Mary's ferry; Delta Beach is best for a sunset over the river mouth; Kaup for the lighthouse view; Padubidri if you want to swim in a marked zone.
Which is better, Malpe or Kapu beach?
Malpe is closer (6 km), busier and the starting point for St Mary's Island. Kaup (Kapu), about 15–17 km south, is quieter and comes with the 1901 lighthouse; neither is a swimming beach below the rocks.
How far is Malpe beach from Udupi?
About 6 km. Local buses run there for approximately ₹20 or less; a rickshaw is the other option.
Can you swim at Udupi beaches?
From November to March, on calm days and preferably at Padubidri, which has a marked bathing zone. The sea is rough in April, May and October and closed from June to September.
What are the Kaup lighthouse timings and ticket price?
The tower usually opens roughly 16:00–18:00. Tickets are about ₹10 for Indian citizens and ₹25 for foreign visitors, plus GST; check on the day.
How do you get to St Mary's Island?
Only by ferry from Malpe, a crossing of roughly 15–30 minutes. Boats do not run in the monsoon, roughly June to September.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
The full catalogue, hidden spots and districts on the map, plus “nearby” mode.
Open in India GO