Mattu Beach, Udupi is a quieter coastal stretch south of town — soft sand, sunset light, and REUNION's Ocean Café right on the shore. This local guide covers how to reach Mattu Beach, the best time to visit, what to do, where to eat, and beachfront stays steps from the water. Many travellers searching for Mattu Beach want a calmer alternative to Malpe harbour; Mattu delivers that with room to walk, photograph, and dine without festival crowds most weekdays.
Why visit Mattu Beach
Mattu Beach sits on the Arabian Sea south of Udupi city, away from the busiest harbour traffic. The shoreline is popular for evening walks, soft sunset colour, and a slower coastal pace. Families and couples often prefer Mattu when they want sand and sea without water-sports noise. Local fishing life continues nearby; mornings feel quiet, and evenings fill with café guests and walkers. From REUNION villas on this beach you can step onto the sand in minutes — that proximity is why Mattu Beach stays appear so often in guest plans after Sri Krishna Matha darshan.
Stay nearby: Ocean Hridayam · Ocean Waves
How to reach Mattu Beach from Udupi
By road, Mattu Beach is roughly 15–25 minutes from Sri Krishna Matha depending on traffic. Cabs and local autos are the easiest option for visitors without a car. Self-drive guests follow coastal roads south of Udupi toward Mattu village; ask your REUNION host for the pin to Ocean Café or your villa gate. From Mangalore airport, plan about 90 minutes to Mattu via NH66 and coastal links. Parking near the shore is informal — keep valuables in the villa when you walk to the beach. If you are based at a city villa, schedule Mattu for late afternoon so you arrive for golden hour and dinner.
Best time to visit Mattu Beach
October to March is the most comfortable window for Mattu Beach — clearer skies, calmer evenings, and reliable café seating outdoors. April–May can be hot midday; plan sunrise or sunset beach time. Monsoon (June–September) brings dramatic clouds and rough surf; swimming advice changes daily, so check with REUNION staff. Weekends and holidays fill Ocean Café faster — reserve candlelight dinner slots ahead if you are celebrating. Photographers should arrive 45 minutes before sunset for Kapu-to-Mattu coastal light.
Things to do at Mattu Beach
Walk the shoreline at low tide, watch fishing boats offshore, and settle in for sunset from the café deck. Pair Mattu with a morning at Sri Krishna Matha or Malpe, then return for dinner. Couples often book a private candle light dinner in Udupi on Mattu Beach through REUNION. Groups can combine Ocean Waves beachfront units with Ocean Café next door for birthdays and small celebrations. Do not treat Mattu as a water-sports hub — that energy sits at Malpe; Mattu’s job is quiet sand, food, and stay.
Stay nearby: candle light dinner in Udupi · things to do in Udupi
Where to eat — Ocean Café on Mattu Beach
Ocean Café by REUNION is the beachfront café on Mattu Beach — seafood, coffee, fireplace lounge seating, and sunset views. Open daily about 9:30 AM–10 PM. Ask for coastal specials and reserve for larger groups. Stay guests at Ocean Hridayam and Ocean Waves can walk over as “dine next door” without a long transfer. For classic vegetarian thalis, keep one meal in Udupi town; use Mattu for the coastal night.
Stay nearby: Ocean Café · best restaurants in Udupi
Where to stay nearby on Mattu Beach
Book Ocean Hridayam for a 2-bedroom beachfront villa with a sea-facing balcony, or Ocean Waves for three private beachfront units about 5 m from Mattu Beach. Both put you next to Ocean Café and keep Malpe and Kapu within an easy day drive. Browse all beach villas in Udupi if your group needs more bedrooms across Hoode or Uchila as well.
Stay nearby: Ocean Hridayam · Ocean Waves · beach villas in Udupi
Mattu Beach works best as a base night: temple or Malpe by day, café sunset and villa sleep by evening. Use this guide with our Top 10 Beaches and Tourist Places posts to build a full Udupi coast plan — then enquire with REUNION for dates.