This post is just for summarizing our Udupi trip. If you are coming to Karnataka as a tourist or if you want to explore a significant cultural part of Karnataka, then you must come to Udupi. Udupi is a coastal city known for its temples, food, pristine beaches, backwaters and fresh fishes.
To reach Udupi, the easiest way is by car/bus or train. You need to come to Mangalore from where Udupi is almost an hour's drive. Mangalore has its own beach, although not very popular.
Beaches:
The most famous beach is Malpe. Quite recently Malpe has got its own sea walkway. A boat ride to the nearest St Mary's Island should not be missed at any cost. However remember that the boat service is suspended during rainy season.
The sea food that is available at any local restaurant is absolutely delicious since they cook the fresh catch of the day. Do not forget to taste the mackerel else pomfret masala fry with some prawn ghee roast. Also mangalore bun for a quick snack is absolutely awesome.
Another extremely beautiful beach is the Kapu beach. Kapu beach has its own lighthouse as well in which visitors are allowed to go between 5pm to 6pm.
A little far from Udupi is Kundapura. One needs to cross the toll booth to reach Maravanthe in Kundapura. As per Outlook Traveller, Maravanthe is one of Karnataka's most beautiful beaches. A drive to Maravanthe is an absolute must. One one side of the road is the sea and on the other side is the back water.
Finally this is not all. Udupi has its own lagoon and delta of the Suvarna river, which is close to Hoode beach. There are some options to stay close to the lagoon.
The drive from Bangalore to Udupi will take around 8 hours depending on the weather and traffic. The road is mostly good except for some 40 km in the Ghat road stretch. The best time to visit Udupi is during the winter months.
So after lunch at Paradise Isle Resort at Malpe we headed for Paradise Lagoon Resort. By the time we left the first hotel it was almost 4 PM. It was a very late checkout although the hotel authorities did not. I suppose it was because of very less guests due to covid and also because we were moving to another property of the same hotel group.
Just like Paradise Isle Resort was right on the Malpe beach and we could enjoy the sea view from our room, Paradise Lagoon Resort was on an island surrounded by a lagoon so we could enjoy the lagoon right from our room. After thermal checking we were transferred to our room. The room that was given to us was really huge. It had nice flooring and ceiling but I would have been happier if the room had at least one bright light because although there were many lights in the rooms but they all were light and fluorescent. It gives a nice feel to the room but while eating or doing some work with our laptops we would any day have preferred bright light. Also we really wished there were tubs in the washrooms.
resort
lagoon view from balcony
We did not waste much time, and got out to see the Hoode beach and the Delta Point. The Hoode beach as we found out is a totally virgin beach and does not have any infrastructure such as benches, food stalls, water activities for tourists. You just need to park your car somewhere and walk upto the beach. It is lonely and if you love to hear the sound of waves splashing on the yellow sand in solitude, then this beach is for you. Also the beach is ideal for some sunset shots. By the time we parked our car to see the beach the slight drizzle that was already there for sometime, turned into heavy rain.
Next we drove to Delta Point. This is the place where the river Suvarna meets the Arabian Sea. Since there are no markers on the road we had to rely on Google maps for direction. We parked our car at a place after which we had to walk 500 meters to reach the delta. The place is also still not ready for tourists hence not really very clean and lacks infrastructure. However one can see very distinctly where the river ends up in the sea. This was the real take from the destination.
aerial view of the delta
Since it was getting dark and the rain was refusing to go completely, we headed back to where we were staying. On the way we stopped by a shop selling tea, patties and cream buns. Since this place is serene and not commercialised as Malpe, expect very less shops, restaurants and other amenities of a busy touristy place. This place is more to sit back, chill and enjoy the break from a hectic city life.
Our dinner was simple: rice, chicken curry and pomfret masala fry. The food was sort of okay, but the service of Mr Philipe was really extremely nice. A very gentle and a nice man who took good care of all our requests. With food in his hand he would stand outside the door and call instead of knocking so that our children's sleep is not disturbed.
Next day, we had a plan for boat house, but since it was rained heavily the night before, the boat house service was closed. We had our complimentary breakfast on our balcony overlooking the lagoon. There was not much morning activity except one lone fisherman catching some fishes with his net.We strolled the entire property in the morning, something we did not do the day before. There is greenery wherever you look and also there are beautiful benches under shades for sitting and enjoying the lagoon.
By noon we were already on the road on our way back to Bangalore. A quick stop at Malpe to buy some dry and wet Mangalorean fish and chicken spices and a farewell bid to the mighty Arabian ocean till we are back again on another trip.
Aerial view of our resort
And as usual, there is the video. Check it out and if you like so Share and Subscribe:
On the third day, we were supposed to leave our hotel Paradise Island Resort go to another property of the same hotel chain situated at the lagoon. It is approximately 6 km from Malpe beach. The day was sunny and bright. So after we had our breakfast of idlis, bread and fresh fruits we first went to the Malpe Sea Walk Way.
The Walk way is the first of its kind in Karnataka inaugurated in 2018. Last time when we came to Malpe, this sea walk way was not there. Walking on the Sea Walkway, we could literally feel that we are amid the sea. There is water on either side of the Sea Walk Way and at the far distance we could see the St Mary's Island and nearer the Bhadargad Island. The sea air was super rejuvenating and so walking the 450 metres was nothing short of cake walk. Midway there is a nice golden statue of a fisherman's family made with sand and cement. The fisherman carrying an oar faces West signifying he is headed for fishing to the sea. He faces West because Malpe is on the West coast of India. His wife with a basket on her head faces East signifying she is going to the market to sell the fishes. Their child is carrying a bag, accompanying them en route school. Just imagine how beautiful and thoughtful.
Statue on the Malpe Sea Walk Way
Statue on the Malpe Sea Walk Way
Malpe Sea Walk Way- Arial View
Since it was also Independence Day, there was some special activities that were going on the sea. We saw more than a 100 boats in some sort of parade on the sea. It was just looking like some scene out of a movie!
Malpe Sea Walk Way- Arial View
Malpe Sea Walk Way- Arial View
We could not visit the St Mary's Island this time, although we have been to St Mary's many times before because the boat service has not yet started post monsoon. On enquiry we got to know that the boat service will resume from 1st October. Giving some of our old photos of St Mary's Island.
St Mary's Island
St Mary's Island
St Mary's Island
St Mary's Island
Next we went to Kaup beach. Kaup, locally pronounced as Kapu is some 25km from Malpe. We went past the Stella Mary's Church which is structured like a ship. Its really beautiful and I suggest you see it if you have time. We also crossed a temple which I suppose is a Durga Temple because I saw a structure of goddess Durga in the 'Mahisamardini' pose on the gate. This is the first time I saw Durga temple in South India. As you might already know, Durga is the most popular goddess among the Bengalis.
Kaup (Kapu) beach is one of the most beautiful beach of Karnataka and the beach is kept in the most impeccable condition by the tourism authority. There is a lighthouse on the beach which is accessible to tourists only between 5 pm - 6 pm. There are several seats from where one can get an unobstructed view of the sea and the lighthouse. Also there are a few refreshment shops and a paid parking. We highly recommend this beach if you are visiting Udupi.
Kapu Beach
Kapu Beach Lighthouse
Malpe Padukar - Pangala Road on Gmap
Malpe Padukar - Pangala Road - Arial View
While returning back to our hotel, Google suggested us to take the Malpe Padukar - Pangala Road. Previously the road was not in the good, but now its in very good condition. Its only a little narrow at some places. This thin stretch of land branches out of the Indian subcontinent only to join it a little later. And trust me this stretch looks so marvellous that you will be tempted to take this route at least one more time to admire its beauty. On one side of this narrow strip of road you will see the deep blue Arabian waves clashing on the shore and on to your other side you have a long stretch of lagoon and lineup of coconut trees. You get to enjoy both simultaneously as you drive through this stretch. You can stop by the almost empty Mattu beach to click a photo. Don't miss out the video that I am attaching in the blog. You will get to see some of the stunning arial footages of this place. It is one of Udupi's best kept secrets, so you can thank me later.
