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2-Day Coastal Escape: Malpe Beach, St. Mary’s Island & Nearby Beaches (Udupi District)

Viewed by 182 travelers
Day 1 · Tue, Dec 9
Malpe / St. Mary’s Island

Explore Malpe Beach, Sea Walk & St. Mary’s Island

6:00 AM:

Sunrise walk along Malpe Beach — arrive early to watch the sun come up over the Arabian Sea, enjoy the cool breeze, and take photos near the Malpe Lighthouse (visible from the shore).

7:00 AM:

Breakfast at Sea Shell Restaurant or Sri Venkataramana Beach Canteen — have neer dosa, filter coffee and fresh fruit while seated with a view of the beach.

8:00 AM:

Malpe Sea Walk & Floating Path — stroll the sea walk and try the floating path (check tide and operators); pause to watch local fishermen launch their boats.

9:00 AM:

Boat departure to St. Mary’s Island (booking at Malpe Jetty) — arrive at the jetty, buy tickets, and board the traditional motorboat for the ~10-20 minute ride to the island.

9:30 AM:

Explore St. Mary’s Island — walk among the famous basalt column formations, photograph the hexagonal rocks, and learn about the island’s geology and Portuguese history from a local guide.

10:30 AM:

Beach time on St. Mary’s — relax on the white sand, wade in the clear water, and collect small shells (no souvenir removal of the rock formations).

11:30 AM:

Coffee and snacks on the island — enjoy a light snack (fresh coconut or packaged snacks sold near the landing) and hydrate before returning to Malpe.

12:00 PM:

Boat back to Malpe Jetty — short ride back; use this time to enjoy sea views and watch for local fishing activity.

12:30 PM:

Lunch at Hotel Mayura or Café Sea Shore — try local Mangalorean fish curry, kori rotti or a seafood thali at a recommended spot near the beach.

1:30 PM:

Visit the Malpe Fishing Harbour — observe the catch auction, see colorful fishing boats up close, and chat with fishermen about their daily routine.

2:30 PM:

Relax at the Malpe Sea Walk promenade — take photos, try local street snacks (bajjis or churmuri) from beach vendors, and enjoy coconut water.

3:00 PM:

Optional watersports or jetty activities — arrange a banana boat, jet-ski (seasonal and operator-dependent) or a short glass-bottom boat ride if available.

4:00 PM:

Visit the Malpe Floating Jetty & Sea View Point — walk the floating jetty for panoramic ocean views and watch the late-afternoon light on St. Mary’s Island across the water.

5:00 PM:

Tea and snacks at Beach View Café or a beach shack — enjoy masala tea and fresh fried fish or roasted corn while preparing for the evening.

5:30 PM:

Sunset at Malpe Beach near the Sea Walk — pick a comfortable spot to watch the sun dip, take silhouette photos by the palm-lined shore, and soak in the relaxed atmosphere.

6:30 PM:

Stroll to Malpe Market Road — browse local shops for cashews, spices, and souvenirs; stop by a bakery for evening treats.

7:30 PM:

Dinner at Sanjeevini or Surya Hotel (Malpe) — enjoy a relaxed seafood dinner (try pomfret or prawns) with local flavors and finish with a sweet like kesari or payasam.

9:00 PM:

Evening walk along the shore or rest at your hotel — take a short nighttime stroll to hear the waves or return to your accommodation to pack and rest for Day 2.

Day 2 · Wed, Dec 10
Mattu — Padubidri — Padukere

Relaxed Beach Hopping: Mattu, Padubidri, Padukere & Delta Point

6:00 AM:

Early start with a short drive from Malpe to Mattu Beach (approx. 20-30 min) to catch the serene sunrise and watch early local fishermen returning with their catch.

6:45 AM:

Walk the quiet stretch of Mattu Beach toward the Mattu School area — photograph the long shoreline, the sandbar, and spot migratory birds in the shallow tidal pools.

7:30 AM:

Breakfast at a local Mattu beach stall or head back toward Malpe to try Hotel Mayura’s early breakfast — try neer dosa, egg bhurji and fresh filter coffee to fuel the day.

8:30 AM:

Drive to Padubidri Beach (about 25-35 minutes) — enjoy coastal scenery en route and arrive to explore the wide sandy shore and the lifeguard watchtower area.

9:00 AM:

Walk the Sanctuary-style area at Padubidri where turtles sometimes come ashore; check with local guides about any conservation signage and keep distance from nesting spots.

9:45 AM:

Visit the nearby Padubidri beach cafes for a mid-morning snack — try a tall glass of fresh sugarcane juice or tender coconut and a plate of bajjis from a beach vendor.

10:30 AM:

Short drive to Padukere Beach (10-15 minutes) — stroll the calm, quieter shoreline and photograph the estuary where river and sea meet, an ideal spot for peaceful beachcombing.

11:15 AM:

Explore the Padukere backwaters and small fishing hamlets — chat with locals about traditional fishing, and if available, take a brief canoe/boat ride on the estuary (arrange locally).

12:30 PM:

Lunch at a recommended local spot: Hotel Samudra or Anupama Restaurant (Padubidri area) — order a seafood thali, fried fish, or vegetarian coastal curry served with rice or rotti.

1:30 PM:

Leisurely drive toward Delta Point (approx. 20 minutes) — take in riparian views as rivers widen into the sea and park to walk the shoreline where the river meets the Arabian Sea.

2:00 PM:

Explore Delta Point — walk along the sand bars, look for crabs and wading birds, and relax on the open beach while listening to the steady surf and estuary breeze.

3:00 PM:

Tea and snacks at a nearby beach shack or the Delta Point viewpoint — enjoy masala tea or coffee and a plate of roasted corn or fried fish while resting before the afternoon stop.

3:45 PM:

Drive to Kemmanu (approx. 25-30 minutes) to visit the Hanging Bridge — stroll across the bridge for calm river views and capture photos of the rural riverine landscape and traditional homes.

4:30 PM:

Explore Kemmanu village lanes and riverside — meet local boatmen, see backwater activities, and consider a short guided boat trip under the hanging bridge if offered by locals.

5:15 PM:

Return toward Malpe/Mattu area (approx. 30-40 minutes) and stop at a roadside kiosk for evening tea or fresh coconut water to refresh before sunset plans.

6:00 PM:

Sunset at a peaceful beach spot—either back at Padukere or Delta Point depending on light and mood; set up a blanket, watch the sky change colors and take silhouette photos.

7:00 PM:

Dinner at Sanjeevini or a recommended seafood restaurant in Malpe — enjoy Mangalorean specialties like kori rotti, fish gassi or sukka prawns, and finish with a sweet like kesari.

8:30 PM:

Evening stroll along Malpe Sea Walk or relax at your hotel — reflect on the day’s beach-hopping, sort photos, and prepare for Day 3’s river-focused exploration of Kemmanu and Delta Point.

9:30 PM:

Return to accommodation and pack for the next day — recharge devices and rest early to catch the morning light and river activities planned for Day 3.

Day 3 · Thu, Dec 11
Kemmanu — Delta Point

River Views & Local Sights: Kemmanu Hanging Bridge and Delta Point Revisit

6:00 AM:

Early morning departure from Malpe/Mattu to Kemmanu (about 30-40 minutes) to catch soft river light; enjoy a peaceful drive through paddy fields as the village wakes up.

6:45 AM:

Arrive at Kemmanu hanging bridge — stroll across the slender bridge for panoramic river views and photograph fishermen preparing their nets beneath the bridge.

7:15 AM:

Short riverside walk in Kemmanu village — observe traditional wooden boats, meet local boatmen, and watch household life along the banks while breathing in the fresh river air.

7:45 AM:

Breakfast at a local homestyle eatery or tea stall in Kemmanu — try a hot cup of filter coffee, neer dosa or idli with coconut chutney prepared by a local vendor.

8:30 AM:

Board a guided coracle/boat from Kemmanu (arranged locally) for a gentle river cruise under the hanging bridge and through the backwaters; look for kingfishers and arrival of fishing boats.

9:30 AM:

Disembark and visit a local fisherman's yard or fish market in Kemmanu — see the day’s catch, learn about traditional drying and net-mending, and sample a small fresh fish snack if offered.

10:15 AM:

Drive toward Delta Point (approx. 25 minutes) with a brief stop en route to photograph riverside scenes and the confluence where the river widens toward the sea.

10:45 AM:

Arrive at Delta Point — walk the shifting sandbars where river meets sea, observe mudflats and waders, and explore the peaceful shoreline away from the busier beaches.

11:30 AM:

Light snack and tea at a Delta Point shack — enjoy masala tea or fresh tender coconut and a plate of roasted corn while watching local fishermen work the estuary.

12:00 PM:

Guided estuary walk with a local naturalist (if available) — learn about mangrove patches, tidal flows, and the area’s birdlife; keep an eye out for crabs and shorebirds.

1:00 PM:

Lunch at Hotel Samudra (Padubidri area) or Anupama Restaurant — savor a seafood thali, fish gassi or prawn curry paired with steamed rice or neer dosa.

2:00 PM:

Relaxed post-lunch drive to nearby Padukere for a calmer shoreline experience — stroll the estuary mouth and do some beachcombing along the quieter sands.

2:45 PM:

Visit a local craft or coir unit (if open) near Padukere or Kemmanu — observe traditional weaving or boat-building techniques and pick up small handcrafted souvenirs like coir mats or rope items.

3:30 PM:

Return to Delta Point for late-afternoon light — set up for photography of the tidal channels and watch resident birdlife become more active as the tide shifts.

4:15 PM:

Tea and snacks at a beach kiosk by Delta Point — have a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice or local snack such as churmuri while taking in the river-meets-sea views.

4:45 PM:

Short boat trip along the estuary mouth (operator-dependent) to experience the confluence from the water and see fishermen hauling nets during the late afternoon.

5:30 PM:

Sunset at a chosen Delta Point viewpoint — relax on the sandbars or a quiet shoreline spot and capture the sun setting over the distant Arabian Sea with river reflections in the foreground.

6:15 PM:

Drive back toward Malpe (approx. 30-40 minutes) and stop at a roadside stall for fresh coconut water or evening tea to refresh after the day’s explorations.

7:00 PM:

Dinner at Sanjeevini or Surya Hotel (Malpe) — celebrate the trip’s finale with Mangalorean specialities such as kori rotti, sukka prawns or pomfret ghee roast, plus a sweet like kesari.

8:30 PM:

Leisurely evening walk along Malpe Sea Walk or the floating jetty — reminisce about the day’s river stories, sort photos, and enjoy the sound of waves under the stars.

9:30 PM:

Return to your accommodation to pack and rest — prepare for departure the next morning or an onward journey, charging devices and keeping any purchased souvenirs safe.

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