Malpe Beach
The gateway to St. Mary's Island, this Udupi beach offers water sports and proximity to the famous temple town.
Distance from Bangalore
400 km
Drive Time
7.5 Hours
Crowd Level
high
Best Time to Visit
Oct–May
Ideal Trip Duration
1–2 Days
Rating
4.4/5 (15000)
Best For
Top Highlights
- Gateway to St. Mary's Island with columnar basalt formations
- Wide sandy beach with water sports
- Close to Udupi — the temple and dosa town
About the Beach
Malpe Beach is a major beach destination near Udupi, famous as the departure point for boats to St. Mary's Island — a geological wonder with unique hexagonal columnar basalt rock formations. The beach itself is a wide stretch of golden sand with facilities for jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides. Being close to Udupi, visitors can combine the beach visit with the iconic Sri Krishna Temple and authentic Udupi cuisine. The Malpe fishing harbor is one of the largest in Karnataka, and watching the colorful fishing boats return at sunset is a memorable experience.
Photos
Activities
Nearby Attractions
- St. Mary's Island
- Sri Krishna Temple Udupi
- Kaup Beach
- Padubidri Beach
Safety
Moderate waves; designated swimming areas. Lifeguards present during peak hours.
Best Stay Options
- Udupi hotels
- Malpe beach resorts
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gateway to St. Mary's Island
- Good water sports infrastructure
- Close to Udupi temples and food
- Wide sandy beach
Cons
- Crowded on weekends and holidays
- Fishing harbor smell can be strong
- Monsoon closes St. Mary's Island boats
- Limited accommodation at the beach