From Malpe to Mattu, these are the 10 best beaches in Udupi — with how to reach each one and where to stay nearby.
Malpe Beach
About 6 km west of Udupi town, Malpe is the region’s lively coastal hub and one of the best beaches in Udupi for families. Expect a working fishing harbour, the Malpe Sea Walk, water sports (jet ski, parasailing, banana boat), and boats to St. Mary’s Island when seas are calm. Best for families, couples, and sunset strolls. How to reach: 15–20 minutes by auto or cab from Sri Krishna Matha. Safety: swim only in designated zones and watch harbour traffic. Best time: October–March for clearer skies and more reliable island ferries; monsoon (June–September) is dramatic but rough. Pair Malpe with a Udupi temple morning and Kapu lighthouse at golden hour for a full coastal day.
Stay nearby: Ocean Bliss
Padubidri Blue Flag Beach
One of India’s Blue Flag beaches, Padubidri is prized for cleanliness, safety standards, and facilities. The Shambhavi River estuary nearby adds a scenic river-meets-sea viewpoint. Perfect for eco-conscious travellers and a calm swim in designated zones. Stay nearby: browse REUNION beach villas on the Udupi–Kundapura coast. Local tip from the REUNION team: carry cash for parking and snacks, start beach time after 4 PM in peak heat, and book candle light dinner or Ocean Café tables on weekends in advance. Families with kids often prefer Mattu and Kapu; groups wanting a pool choose Uchila’s Ocean Givaah after a Kapu lighthouse sunset.
Kapu Beach & Lighthouse
Famous for its historic lighthouse and wide shoreline, Kapu Beach is a photographer’s favourite among beaches in Udupi — especially at golden hour. Climb the lighthouse when open for panoramic Arabian Sea views, then linger on the quieter sands below. How to reach: about 15–20 minutes south of Udupi town by road. Safety: tides can be strong; stay aware of currents near rocky patches. Best time: October–March for sunset photography; monsoon evenings are lush but windy. Kapu pairs well with Padubidri Blue Flag Beach further south on the same coastal drive.
Stay nearby: Ocean Royal Beach House
Mattu Beach
Mattu Beach, Udupi is a softer, less crowded stretch known for golden sand and casuarina-lined shores — one of the quietest beaches in Udupi for slow mornings and sunset walks. Reunion Ocean Café sits right on this shoreline for coffee, seafood and candle light dinners. How to reach: roughly 15–20 minutes south of Udupi town. Safety: generally calmer than Malpe harbour zones, but always check local advice before swimming. Best time: October–March for clear evenings; monsoon brings dramatic skies. Mattu is also the hub for REUNION beachfront stays and celebrations.
Stay nearby: Ocean Hridayam · Ocean Waves · Ocean Café
Hoode Beach, Udupi
Hoode Beach, Udupi (also called Padutonse locally) sits north of Malpe with open sea views and a more private feel — excellent among beaches in Udupi if you want the ocean without harbour crowds. How to reach: about 20–30 minutes from Udupi town toward the northern coast. Safety: rock beds and open sea mean swimming conditions vary; ask REUNION staff for the day’s advice. Best time: October–March. REUNION Ocean Elite and Ocean Manor offer direct beach access on this shoreline.
Stay nearby: Ocean Elite · Ocean Manor
St. Mary’s Island
Reached by boat from Malpe (when seas are calm), St. Mary’s is known for rare hexagonal basalt rock columns and clear waters. Ferries usually run in fair weather; monsoon crossings are often suspended. Allow half a day. Stay nearby: REUNION Ocean Bliss or city villas for easy Malpe harbour access. Local tip from the REUNION team: carry cash for parking and snacks, start beach time after 4 PM in peak heat, and book candle light dinner or Ocean Café tables on weekends in advance. Families with kids often prefer Mattu and Kapu; groups wanting a pool choose Uchila’s Ocean Givaah after a Kapu lighthouse sunset.
Delta Beach (Kodi Bengre)
Where river and sea meet near the Kodi Bengre peninsula — a scenic, less commercial stretch with mangroves and open horizons. Best for photography and quiet evenings rather than water sports. Stay nearby: REUNION beach villas at Hoode or Malpe for day trips to Delta Beach. Local tip from the REUNION team: carry cash for parking and snacks, start beach time after 4 PM in peak heat, and book candle light dinner or Ocean Café tables on weekends in advance. Families with kids often prefer Mattu and Kapu; groups wanting a pool choose Uchila’s Ocean Givaah after a Kapu lighthouse sunset.
Hejamady Beach
A peaceful coastal stop known for its scenic bridge and soft shoreline. Ideal as a drive-by add-on between Udupi and Padubidri if you want empty stretches of sand. Stay nearby: REUNION villas between Udupi and Kapu for flexible coastal drives. Local tip from the REUNION team: carry cash for parking and snacks, start beach time after 4 PM in peak heat, and book candle light dinner or Ocean Café tables on weekends in advance. Families with kids often prefer Mattu and Kapu; groups wanting a pool choose Uchila’s Ocean Givaah after a Kapu lighthouse sunset.
Uchila Beach
Uchila Beach, Udupi is a relaxed coastal village shore south of town — calm waters, local fishing life, and easy access if you are staying near Kapu or driving toward Mangaluru. How to reach: roughly 25–35 minutes from Udupi city depending on traffic. Safety: quieter stretches with fewer facilities than Malpe; go with a group after dark. Best time: October–March. REUNION Ocean Givaah (pool villa ~200 m from the shore) and Ocean Daaffy Beach House (~100 m) are the stays to book here.
Stay nearby: Ocean Givaah · Ocean Daaffy Beach House
Maravanthe Beach
A short scenic drive north towards Kundapura, Maravanthe is famous for the NH66 stretch where the Arabian Sea sits on one side and the Souparnika River on the other. Worth a half-day detour for one of the coast’s most dramatic road views. Stay nearby: REUNION beach or city villas as a base for the northern coastal day trip. Local tip from the REUNION team: carry cash for parking and snacks, start beach time after 4 PM in peak heat, and book candle light dinner or Ocean Café tables on weekends in advance. Families with kids often prefer Mattu and Kapu; groups wanting a pool choose Uchila’s Ocean Givaah after a Kapu lighthouse sunset.
Best time to visit Udupi beaches & FAQs
Best time to visit Udupi beaches is October through March — pleasant evenings, clearer sunsets, and more reliable Malpe boats to St. Mary’s Island. June–September is monsoon: lush and dramatic, but rough seas and limited island crossings. Is it safe to swim? Conditions vary by beach and season — Malpe has busier zones; Mattu and Kapu feel calmer but still need local advice. Which beach is best for families? Mattu and Kapu for quieter sand; Malpe for water sports. Where should I stay? Use the Stay nearby links under each beach for REUNION villas on that shore. For temple days, combine with city villas or De Homes near Sri Krishna Matha.
Stay nearby: villas in Udupi · Mattu Beach guide
How to plan a beach day from a REUNION villa
Wake at a REUNION stay, finish breakfast, and drive to one primary beach rather than three. Morning temple + Malpe works; Kapu is best late afternoon; Mattu suits sunset dining at Ocean Café; Hoode and Uchila reward guests who want quiet sand close to their villa gate. Carry sunscreen, water, and modest clothes if you will stop at temples the same day. Photographers should reach Kapu 45 minutes before sunset. Groups of 8+ should pre-book multi-unit stays such as Ocean Manor or Ocean Waves. For celebrations, add beach birthday or candle light dinner packages through REUNION. This structure keeps beaches in Udupi enjoyable instead of a rushed checklist — and every Stay nearby link above routes you to a bookable page.
Stay nearby: beach villas in Udupi · candle light dinner in Udupi
Base yourself at a Reunion villa near Malpe, Mattu, Hoode, or Kapu and you’ll have several of these shores within easy reach. Pair beach mornings with Udupi temple culture and coastal cuisine for a complete coastal Karnataka escape. Best time to visit Udupi’s beaches is October–March; always confirm St. Mary’s Island boats on the day. For Hoode and Uchila detail, see our Hoode & Uchila Beaches guide. Next: tourist places in Udupi, or enquire for a beach villa stay.