Monsoon safety: Water sports banned at DK beaches, tourists flout barricades at Malpe

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru/Udupi, June 8, 2026: The onset of the southwest monsoon has significantly transformed the coastal tourism scene in Karnataka. While authorities in Dakshina Kannada have enforced strict restrictions on sea entry and suspended all water sports activities in the interest of public safety, several tourists at Malpe beach in Udupi were seen violating safety barricades over the weekend.

Strict Restrictions at Mangaluru Beaches

As rough sea conditions prevail, tourist footfall has dropped considerably across major beaches in Dakshina Kannada. The district administration has suspended all water-based activities, including floating bridges, boat rides, jet skiing and parasailing, at Panambur, Tannirbhavi and Someshwara beaches until further notice.

At Panambur beach, authorities have installed red safety ropes along the shoreline to prevent visitors from entering the sea. Warning signboards have been placed at prominent locations, while lifeguards and coastal security personnel are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance. Officials have warned that strict penalties will be imposed on those violating the restrictions.

Although sea entry has been prohibited, visitors can still enjoy shore-based attractions such as horse rides, camel rides, children’s play areas and food stalls while viewing the monsoon sea from a safe distance.

Sasihithlu Munda Beach Closed

Tourist entry to Sasihithlu Munda beach near Mulki has also been temporarily banned following continuous heavy rainfall and strong winds over the past two days. Beach authorities said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure due to the risk of large trees being uprooted in the area.

Shift Towards Trekking and Pilgrimage Tourism

With water sports expected to remain suspended for the next three to four months, tourist preferences are gradually shifting. Adventure enthusiasts are increasingly heading towards the Western Ghats for monsoon trekking in destinations such as Charmadi, Kudremukh and Agumbe.

At the same time, families and senior citizens are opting for pilgrimage tourism, visiting popular religious destinations including Dharmasthala, Kukke Subrahmanya, Kateel, Kollur and the Udupi Sri Krishna Math. Waterfalls such as Arbi and Kudlu Theertha are also witnessing a rise in visitor numbers.

Tourists Ignore Safety Measures at Malpe

In contrast to the strict compliance seen in Dakshina Kannada, several tourists at Malpe beach in Udupi displayed reckless behaviour on Sunday by entering the rough sea despite safety restrictions.

The Tourism Department had installed fishnet barricades to prevent visitors from accessing the sea. However, large weekend crowds reportedly bypassed the barricades and entered the water through the sea walk side, where the netting had not been extended beyond the open-air theatre area.

Lifeguards on duty attempted to warn visitors about the dangers, but many ignored the instructions and continued venturing into the rough waters.

Concerned residents have urged the administration to take immediate action to prevent accidents. They have demanded that the barricades be extended by at least 200 metres beyond the open-air theatre and that additional lifeguards and police personnel be deployed to strengthen monitoring and ensure public safety during the monsoon season.