Overview and why this route works
Five leisurely days in the coast of Karnataka provides you what you need without lengthy drives: the temple town of Udupi and ferry to st. Marys Island in Malpe, the sandy lighthouse sunset at Kaup and the chilled beach atmosphere of Gokarna.
The NH66 ribbon makes the transfers easy and side stops such as seashores of Maravanthe on one side and a river on one side and Murudeshwar on the other side with its towering Shiva make this journey dramatic.
How to reach and move along the coast
- Airport to be used: Mangaluru (IXE) is the nearest area to Udupi (60-65 km). Trains run between Bengaluru/ Mumbai / Goa and Udupi, Kundapura and Gokarna Road.
- Buses:KSRTC/ private sleepers Bengaluru-Udupi/Gokarna (8-12 hrs).
- Domestic transportation: Taxis and cars are convenient. To be flexible, hire a scooter (Udupi/Malpe and Gokarna regions) or rent day cabs to get between cities.
Quick planner: distances, time and costs
| Mangaluru → Udupi | 60–65 km; 1.5–2 hrs | Airport taxi ₹1,300–2,000 |
| Udupi ↔ Malpe Beach | 6–7 km; 15–20 mins | Auto ₹120–200 |
| Udupi → Kaup Lighthouse Beach | 15–18 km; 30–40 mins | Great sunset stop |
| Udupi → Gokarna (NH66) | 175–195 km; 4.5–5.5 hrs | Via Maravanthe & Honnavar |
| Udupi → Murudeshwar (en route) | 100–110 km; 2.5–3 hrs | Optional Day 3 stop |
| Ferry to St. Mary’s Island (return) | ₹300–450 adult; ₹150–300 child | 9:30 AM–4:30 PM typical; seasonal |
| Scooter rental (Malpe/Gokarna) | ₹400–900/day + fuel | Helmets mandatory |
| Mid-range stays | ₹3,000–6,000 per night | Beach proximity raises price |
| Good daily budget (pp) | ₹2,000–4,000 | Stay + food + local travel |
All prices are indicative and vary by season/weekends.
Best season and sea conditions
| Months | Weather & sea | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Feb | Pleasant, clearer water, steady sunsets | St. Mary’s ferry, lighthouse climbs, easy swims in flagged zones |
| Mar–May | Hot/humid mid‑day, calmer mornings | Start early; beach + café rhythm |
| Jun–Sep (monsoon) | Heavy surf, showers, strong currents | Backwaters, lighthouses (on open days), temple visits, dramatic drives |
Day-by-day plan (5 days)
Day 1 – Cheque in Udupi, temple and sea walk at Malpe.
- Morning: Cheque in Udupi/Malpe. Go to Sri Krishna Temple (dress up in a modest way) and Car Street.
- Afternoon: Move to Malpe Beach; late lunch in a clean shack or in town of Udupi.
- Evening: Sea Walk Proceed to the Malpe Sea Walk, where the light is situated; optional water sports on the mainland, and not on St. Mary. Dinner in Udupi /Malpe and sunset on the sand.
Day 2 – St. Mary’s Island + Kaup Lighthouse sunset
- Morning: Arrive at Malpe jetty by 9:15 AM; purchase return ferry tickets (seasonal; first ferry at approximately 9.30 AM, last ferry at about 5.00 PM). 60-90 mins on the island, shell beach and columnar basalt rocks. None swimming; water, hat and grippy sandals.
- Afternoon: To Malpe, eat lunch, rest.
- Golden hour: Visit to a beach Kaup (Kapu) Beach; ascend the lighthouse (cheque posted hours/fee; usually 4-6 PM). Picture of the rocks; watch lifeguard flags on wading.
Day 3 – Udupi → Gokarna coastal drive (with iconic stops)
- Morning: Depart Udupi on NH66. Have a break at Maravanthe with the signature stretch of sea-rivers (park on the highway in a safe place).
- Other attractions that may be included as detours: Ottinene point of view at Byndoor; Murudeshwar temple and 123-ft Shiva statue (climb to observation deck; dress required in temple).
- Late afternoon: Gokarna; hotel Kudle/Om/near town. Watch the sunset in Kudle or Om Beach.
Day 4 – Gokarna cliff‑to‑beach trail + fort option
- Morning: Take the standard beach tour: Kudle – Om – Half Moon – Paradise (bring water; trail is frequently used but may be hot–early departure will assist). In a fair wind, boats give drop-backs in case you are tired.
- Lunch: Cliff cafes at Om/Kudle.
- Afternoon (not compulsory): Mirjan Fort (20-25 km in the direction of Kumta) to see laterite arches and photo-friendly lawns; or have a rest in the same direction, at the beach.
- Evening: Temple town walk Mahabaleshwar Temple environment and the market. Wear simple clothes around the temple areas.
Day 5 – Easy morning, backwaters/temple and depart
- Early morning: Sit-out at the Kudle beach or brief yoga on beach.
- Option A: Honnavar (Apsarakonda perspective or river/island backwater cruise; 1-1.5 hrs north).
- Option B: Continue with simplicity breakfast and souvenir coffee/spices and proceed to your next destination city (Gokarna Road station has trains north/south, KSRTC buses to Goa/Mangaluru/Bengaluru).
Beaches and activities comparison
| Beach/Place | Best for | Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Malpe Beach | Family amenities, water sports | Showers, food stalls, parking |
| St. Mary’s Island | Rock formations, shell beach | Basic/seasonal |
| Kaup (Kapu) Beach | Lighthouse climb, sunset | Parking, snacks, paid entry to lighthouse |
| Gokarna Main Beach | Temple-town vibe, sunrise walks | Stalls, boats |
| Kudle Beach | Sunset, cafés, beginner‑friendly dip | Cafés, huts (seasonal) |
| Om Beach | Photo-worthy shore, cafes | Rentals, shacks |
| Half Moon Beach | Quieter arc | Minimal |
| Paradise Beach | Remote feel | None |
Food, transport and practical tips
- Udupi delicacies: Veg “meals”, goli baje, neer dosa, philtre coffee; fish fries in neat, brisk shacks along the coast.
- Gokarna food: Thalis and beach restaurants (high season). Carry cash–UPI does, network may sink.
- Local transport: Autos are good enough in short distances. On Day 3 transfers, the easiest way is a cab, because buses can only carry light luggage.
- Network: Jio/Airtel is usually excellent in town, cliff trails/islands patchy- save offline maps.
- Luggage: Wear light to St. Mary and trails of Gokarna cliffs. Minimal valuables in beaches.
Safety, etiquette and eco-notes
- Sea warning: Do not swim unless there are guards/flags; most of the beaches submerge easily. In rough-surf days, avoid deep-water.
- Ferry and boats: Wear life-jackets; no standing on the move. Island rocks are slippy–slippy sandals do it.
- Temple etiquette: dress simply at Udupi/Gokarna temples; adhere to signboards on photography and entering.
- Wildlife and highways: NH66/villages; slow down in the evening.
- Zero-litter: Take a small litter bag, shells/rocks are not a souvenir of St. Marys – put nature back as you found it.
Conclusion
This five-day coastal circuits equalises with relaxation: a morning temple visit at Udupi, the geology of the island known as St. Mary at the island, a lighthouse sunset at Kaup, the movie Maravanthe drive, and relaxing at the beaches of Gokarna.
Get up at sunrise, book ferry/lighthouse windows, and find beach-side accommodation that will reduce commuting time. You will have salt in your hair–and just enough sand in your shoes.
