Udupi: Malpe Beach has reopened to tourists following the withdrawal of monsoon-related safety restrictions, with water sports activities and boat services to St Mary’s Island resuming from Friday, September 18.
The reopening comes after the removal of the temporary barricade installed along the beach to prevent visitors from entering the sea during the monsoon season. The barricade was removed on September 17, allowing tourists to access the shoreline and resume recreational activities.
Monsoon restrictions lifted at Malpe
Due to rough sea conditions during the monsoon, restrictions are imposed at Malpe Beach for several months every year as a precautionary measure. The measures are aimed at preventing tourists from venturing into the sea when waves and currents become dangerous.
A fishnet barricade measuring around 10 feet in height is usually installed approximately 20 feet from the shoreline during the restricted period. With the end of the monsoon safety restrictions, the barricade has now been removed and visitors have been given free access to the beach.
Lifeguards and tourist mitras have also been deployed to assist visitors and monitor safety conditions as tourist activity increases.
Water sports activities resume
With the reopening, several popular water sports and recreational activities have resumed at Malpe Beach.
The activities include jet ski rides, parasailing, banana boat rides, ATV sand biking, disco boat rides, bumpy rides, zorbing and boat rounds. The resumption of these activities is expected to attract a large number of visitors, particularly during weekends and holidays.
Operators have also made arrangements to ensure that the equipment and facilities are ready for tourists following the four-month monsoon break.
Boat trips to St Mary’s Island restart
The seasonal restriction on tourist visits to St Mary’s Island has also been lifted. Boat services to the island resumed from Friday, with speedboats operating from the Sea Walk and beach area.
The boats have been readied to ferry tourists to the popular island destination, which is known for its distinctive basalt rock formations and coastal landscape.
Ahead of the reopening, Scouts and NSS students, in coordination with the district administration, undertook cleaning and maintenance work around St Mary’s Island. Overgrown vegetation was cleared and areas around the tourist spots were cleaned to prepare the island for the new tourism season.
Garbage accumulation raises concern
While the reopening has brought relief to tourists and water sports operators, cleanliness along the Malpe Beach stretch remains a concern.
Plastic waste and other garbage have reportedly accumulated at several locations, particularly along the stretch between the main beach and the Sea Walk. Garbage bins installed at various points were found overflowing, with waste scattered around them.
Empty liquor bottles and plastic bags are also reportedly being left behind on the beach during the night. Some visitors have been leaving plastic bottles and other waste in the sand, adding to the problem.
The lack of regular waste disposal has reportedly contributed to an increase in stray dogs and mosquitoes in some areas, causing inconvenience to both tourists and local residents.
Although garbage from the main beach section was cleared on Thursday afternoon, waste continues to remain in other portions of the beach and surrounding areas.
Need for regular waste management
The reopening of Malpe Beach is expected to bring thousands of tourists to the destination in the coming days. With water sports and St Mary’s Island boat services back in operation, maintaining cleanliness will be important to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for visitors.
Tourists and local residents have called for greater attention to regular garbage collection and disposal, particularly along areas outside the main beach section. Proper placement and timely clearance of waste bins, along with monitoring of littering, could help address the issue as tourist footfall increases.
The reopening marks the beginning of the post-monsoon tourism season at one of Udupi district’s most popular coastal destinations. With beach access, water sports and St Mary’s Island trips restored, authorities and visitors alike will need to play a role in maintaining safety and cleanliness at Malpe.