Tourists flock to Malpe beach even during monsoon

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 31, 2019: The Malpe beach is now attracting tourists even during monsoon, though it is off-season.

 

Despite the monsoon rain, one of the biggest advantages of visiting the beach during the monsoon is that there is shade from morning till evening, cool breeze and roaring waves. The tourists can sit on the benches at the beach and watch it or walk on the sand.

However, they cannot go near the sea as the sea waves are rough. A net has been installed close to the sea barring entry of the people. Water sports and boat service to St. Mary’s Island are banned during monsoon.

“Only those wishing to have a quiet time can enjoy sitting on the benches near the Gandhi Katte. But they must bring umbrellas to protect themselves from rain. It is pleasant during the off-season. People can spend more time. But it can rain any time and at times, always,” said Sudesh Shetty, agency head in-charge of development of Malpe beach.

In contrast, during season, it is quite hot on the beach even during mornings and evenings. While most shops around the beach are open during season, only a few are open during off-season. Malpe beach attracts more tourists compared to other beaches in the district because it is in Udupi city.

Tourists visiting the Sri Krishna Temple or the educational campus of Manipal usually visit the Malpe beach, and the Sea Walkway close by is another attraction. “Tourists who visit the Malpe beach once, usually visit it again. So we have lot of tourists coming for the second time,” Mr. Shetty said.

Footfall during season from mid-September/October to May is about 3,000 during weekdays, while it is about 8,000 on weekends. During monsoon, though footfall decline, still the beach has about 1,300 visitors on weekdays and about 4,000 during weekends.

Manjunath V. Salian, a partner of a cottage at Malpe, said that monsoon visits had caught on among tourists. “Booking for our cottage is full during summer. But in the last couple of years, tourists are booking during monsoon as they find the sea vast and beautiful,” he said.