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Karnataka

Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island

Temple town beside a basalt-column island

BeachSpiritualIsland

Best time to visit Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March to May and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Calm sea, boats to St Marys Island running smoothly - the best window by far.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Hot and sticky by April-May, but boats to St Marys run right up to the monsoon - start early and be off the sand by noon.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Boats to St Marys do not run Jun-Sep and the sea is rough - the island, which is the entire point of coming, is unreachable.

Autumn October to November Prime time

October: boats resume, sea calming, temple town far quieter than winter.

What Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island is actually like

A pilgrim-and-daytrip crowd rather than backpackers, but easy enough to wander solo.

Things to do in Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island

The local places worth your time in and around Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Sri Krishna Matha

    Temple · in town

    13th century Madhva matha where Krishna is seen through the nine-holed Kanakana Kindi; free meals at the dining hall.

  • Malpe Beach

    Beach · 5 km out

    Town beach beside a working fishing harbour; the island boats leave from the jetty here and the last one is back by 5 pm.

  • Mitra Samaj

    Food · in town

    Old canteen on Car Street by the matha for goli baje and biscuit roti; snacks only, cash only, and a queue at teatime.

  • End Point, Manipal

    Viewpoint · 6 km out

    Landscaped cliff edge above the Swarna river valley in Manipal, the student sunset spot; free, and autos back to Udupi are easy.

  • Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village

    Museum · 6 km out

    Coastal timber houses rescued and rebuilt on one campus in Manipal; guided entry only, closed Mondays, allow two hours.

  • Kaup Beach and Lighthouse

    Beach · 13 km out

    Rocky shore under a 1901 lighthouse you can climb for a few rupees; the tower opens late afternoon and the surf is rough.

Getting to Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island

Fly Mangalore, 1h to Udupi/Malpe; also on the Konkan Railway line.

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
0 m
State
Karnataka
Coordinates
13.3492, 74.7038

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island?

November to February is peak season in Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island. March to May and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. October: boats resume, sea calming, temple town far quieter than winter.

How many days do you need in Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island?

2 days is the usual stay. A pilgrim-and-daytrip crowd rather than backpackers, but easy enough to wander solo.

How do you get to Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island?

Fly Mangalore, 1h to Udupi/Malpe; also on the Konkan Railway line. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

Is there a festival in Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island?

Jan: Paryaya, biennial handover festival at Krishna Matha. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island?

Sri Krishna Matha, Malpe Beach, Mitra Samaj, End Point, Manipal, Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village and Kaup Beach and Lighthouse. 13th century Madhva matha where Krishna is seen through the nine-holed Kanakana Kindi; free meals at the dining hall.

Nearby, and where to go next

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