Udupi, Malpe, Mangaluru, Padubidri, Trasi and Tannirbhavi beaches have been witnessing increased visitor movement as school students began their Dasara holidays after completing their mid-term examinations. Weekend crowds have been particularly heavy, with more tourists expected to visit the coast in the coming days.
The reopening of beaches and water-based recreational activities has added to the attraction for families and holidaymakers looking for short trips during the festival break.
Beaches see increased tourist footfall
The coastal belt has become a popular destination for families travelling during the Dasara holidays.
According to reports, tourist numbers have increased significantly at several prominent beaches in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. Malpe, in particular, has seen renewed activity after seasonal restrictions imposed during the monsoon were lifted.
The increase in visitors comes at the beginning of the post-monsoon tourism season, when the Karnataka coast traditionally begins attracting more tourists. Karnataka Tourism lists October to March among the favourable months for visiting Udupi, with beaches such as Malpe and Kaup among the district’s major attractions.
The combination of school holidays, weekends and improved access to beaches has contributed to the recent increase in footfall.
Water sports resume after monsoon restrictions
One of the major attractions for visitors this season is the return of water sports.
At Malpe Beach, the temporary barricade installed during the monsoon to prevent tourists from entering the sea was removed on September 17. Water sports and boat services to St Mary’s Island resumed shortly afterwards.
Activities that have resumed at Malpe include jet ski rides, parasailing, banana boat rides, ATV sand biking, disco boat rides, bumpy rides, zorbing and boat rides.
The reopening has provided tourists with more recreational options during the holiday period, while operators have prepared their equipment and facilities after the seasonal break.
St Mary’s Island services restart
Boat services to St Mary’s Island have also resumed following the lifting of monsoon restrictions.
The island is one of Udupi district’s prominent tourist attractions and is known for its distinctive basalt rock formations. With boat services operating again, visitors to Malpe can once more include the island in their coastal itinerary.
The reopening comes after several months of restrictions introduced as a precaution during the rough-sea period. Such measures are used along the coast because sea conditions can become hazardous during the southwest monsoon.
With the monsoon restrictions now withdrawn, tourist activity has begun increasing at Malpe and other coastal destinations.
Weekend crowds expected to grow
The recent increase in visitors is particularly noticeable during weekends.
Beaches across the coastal belt have been receiving large numbers of tourists, with families and groups travelling from nearby cities and towns. The Dasara holiday period is expected to further increase the number of visitors.
Earlier holiday periods in 2026 also saw substantial crowds at beaches and religious destinations across Mangaluru and Udupi. During a previous extended holiday weekend, beaches from Ullal to Byndoor Someshwara witnessed heavy tourist movement, while police faced difficulties managing crowds and parking at popular destinations including Panambur, Kaup and Malpe.
The current Dasara holiday rush could similarly put pressure on parking facilities, roads and other visitor infrastructure.
Mangaluru beaches also attract visitors
The tourist surge is not restricted to Udupi district.
Mangaluru’s coastline is also attracting holidaymakers, with beaches such as Tannirbhavi and other popular coastal locations witnessing increased visitor activity. Mangaluru is among Karnataka’s prominent coastal tourism destinations, with its beaches and waterfront areas forming an important part of the city’s tourism appeal.
Families visiting Mangaluru during the Dasara break are combining beach visits with trips to religious and other tourist attractions in the coastal region.
The movement between Mangaluru and Udupi also makes it possible for visitors to cover multiple destinations during a short holiday.
Religious destinations also witness rush
The increase in tourism is being seen beyond the beaches.
Several major religious destinations in coastal Karnataka are also receiving larger crowds during the holiday period. The region’s combination of temples, beaches and cultural attractions makes it a popular destination for family travel during festival holidays.
Udupi district has several prominent pilgrimage centres and tourist attractions, including Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Kollur, Anegudde and Mandarthi, while coastal destinations such as Malpe and Kaup attract visitors seeking leisure activities.
The simultaneous increase in visitors at religious and recreational destinations is expected to result in higher traffic on major roads connecting the coastal towns.
Safety and cleanliness remain important
The reopening of beaches and water sports also brings renewed attention to visitor safety.
Monsoon restrictions are imposed primarily because rough seas and strong currents can pose risks to tourists. With the restrictions withdrawn, visitors are still expected to follow instructions issued by lifeguards and beach authorities and use designated areas for recreational activities.
At Malpe, lifeguards and tourist mitras have been deployed to assist visitors and monitor safety as tourist activity increases.
Cleanliness is another concern as visitor numbers increase. Reports following the reopening of Malpe have highlighted the need for regular waste collection and disposal around the beach and surrounding areas.
Large holiday crowds can increase the amount of waste generated, making timely collection and proper disposal important for maintaining the beaches.
Coastal tourism season begins
The current surge marks the beginning of a busier period for coastal tourism in Karnataka.
With the Dasara holidays underway and water sports back in operation, beaches in Udupi and Mangaluru are likely to remain busy over the coming weekends.
The combination of favourable post-monsoon weather, restored beach access, water sports and school holidays is creating strong demand for short coastal trips.
For local businesses, including water-sport operators, transport providers, food outlets and other tourism-related establishments, the increase in visitors provides an opportunity to benefit from the holiday season.
At the same time, authorities and tourism operators will need to manage parking, waste disposal, crowd movement and safety as visitor numbers rise.
Conclusion
The Dasara holiday period has brought a noticeable surge in tourists to the beaches of Udupi and Mangaluru, with Malpe, Tannirbhavi, Padubidri, Trasi and other coastal destinations attracting visitors. The removal of monsoon restrictions and resumption of water sports and St Mary’s Island boat services have added to the appeal. With more holidays and weekends ahead, coastal Karnataka is expected to remain a popular destination for tourists during the post-monsoon season.