Location: In the Arabian Sea to the west of the Malpe Coast
St. Mary’s Islands, also reckoned by the monikers ‘Coconut Island’ and ‘Thonse Paar’ are a cluster of four minuscule islands namely Coconut Island, North Island, Daria Bahadurgarh Island and South Island positioned in the Arabian Sea to the west of the Malpe Coast. Principally commended for their unique geological characteristic of columnar basaltic lava formations, the St. Mary’s Islands are listed amongst the 26 Geological Monuments of India by the ‘Geological Survey of India’. The northernmost island of this ‘Island Cluster’ is profuse with hexagonal basaltic rock formations which happen to be only one of their kinds in the whole of India. This atoll measuring 500 meters in its length and 100 meters in its width is enveloped in the thick cover of coconut groves which yields this isle its sobriquet; the ‘Coconut Island’. As per the prevailing local conviction Vasco da Gama before reaching Kozhikode had landed here and christened the islands after Mother Mary exclaiming ‘O Padrão de Santa Maria’.
The St. Mary’s Islands are not inhabited by human beings but they provide home to several exclusive bird species videlicet Brahminy Kites, Sandpipers, Grey Egrets, Great White Egrets, Green Bee Eaters, Gulls, Crows and so on. The western coasts of the islands are blanketed with long stretches of bountiful seashells of assorted shapes and sizes. The islands are not bequeathed with sand beaches but the tourists can repose on the park benches and pavilions installed along the shoreline at a number of vantage points. St. Mary’s Islands comprise one of the most sought after picnic spots around Malpe which are teeming with both locals and tourists explicitly in the evenings. Watching the enticing pageantry of light in the western firmament at the time of sunset is absolutely a coaxing experience. The most ideal season for visiting these islands is December to March. St. Mary’s Islands are reachable from the mainland Malpe via ferryboat.

Location: Towards the west of the Malpe Beach off the Malpe Mainland
Daria-Bahadurgad, one of the four rock-strewn islands to be found towards the west of the Malpe Beach off the Malpe Mainland is the northernmost islet that is especially renowned for its ancient Daria-Bahadurgad Fort. The Daria-Bahadurgad Fort is believed to have constructed during the tenure of an emperor of Bidanur; King Basavappa Nayaka (1697–1714). Apart from this decrepit garrison, the 1.6 sq km wide Daria-Bahadurgad Island also accommodates the oldest tile factory of Malpe and several antiquated temples (Lord Balrama and Lord Ananteshwara Temples being the chief amongst them) in the neighborhood of the stronghold. The Daria-Bahadurgad Island can be reached through ferryboat from the Malpe Seaside.

Location: Sited just 7 kilometers to the west of the Udupi Town right at the mouth of the Udyavara River
The Malpe Beach comprising the westbound circumference of Malpe and sited just 7 kilometers to the west of the Udupi Town right at the mouth of the Udyavara River is one of the most frequented and intensely cherished seashores of Karnataka that is predominantly credited for its untainted natural pizzazz and its balanced cosmic equilibrium. Though haunted by thousands of tourists all through the year, the Malpe Beach has still retained its intact virgin beauty and has managed to be far afield from the modern torrents of commercialization. The endless coastline of Malpe wearing the ochroid robe of creamy golden sand glimmering under the flares of sunshine is garlanded by the long chaplets of dancing palm trees on one side while the titanic stretch of cerulean blue sea adorns the opposite rim of this glamorous seaboard. The enchanting beach of Malpe is flanked by a bundle of four rocky islands distinguished for their extraordinary geological attribute of volcanic rock formation.
The quaint and tranquil Malpe Beach is an idyllic locus to retire in the lap of Mother Nature away from the humdrum of the city life. Tourists can bathe in the sea, enjoy boating, fishing and angling, sail a ferryboat, take a leisurely walk along the spectacular beach, watch the fishermen at work or just recline under the azure sky basking in the juvenile rays of the sun and savoring the incessant charm of the ambiance. The soothing shade of the palms and the fresh & cool sea breeze will undoubtedly wash off all your worldly tensions here. Moreover, the tourists can also visit the Malpe harbor where ships are built or just relax and relish the delicious taste of the sea food available here. The best time to visit the Malpe Beach is from October to January.

Location: Placed in the vicinity of the Malpe Port
Vadabhandeshwara placed in the vicinity of the Malpe Port is an ancient Vaishnavite Temple dedicated to Lord Balarama; the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna where the idol of Sri Balarama believed to be consecrated by Sri Madhavacharya is worshipped. Madhavacharya, venerated as the third incarnation of Vayu was a prominent philosopher during the Bhakti Movement who propagated the philosophy of reality known as ‘Tattvavada’ or ‘Dvaita’. As the legend goes once upon a time when Sri Madhavacharya was meditating on the seashore of Malpe there was a heavy storm in the sea and a ship had got into the trouble. Madhavacharya ran to the aid of the ship and brought it to the shore safely.
The obliged sailors presented him with two idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama as a sign of their gratitude. Later on, Madhavacharya enshrined the Sri Krishna idol at Udupi and the Sri Balarama idol at Malpe. The same temple has now grown famous as the Vadabhandeshwara Temple of Malpe. The Vadabhandeshwara Temple of Lord Balarama is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists particularly on the New Moon Day and the Mahalaya Amavasya Day (no moon day). On these days the devotees offer prayers at the feet of Lord Balarama and take a holy dip into the sea. The Vadabhandeshwara Temple of Malpe is easily accessible by road both from Malpe and Udupi.

Location: Lies about 13 kilometers to the south of Udupi along the Udupi - Mangalore National Highway 66
Kaup, also locally known as ‘Kapu’ is a small coastal village of Udupi District which lies about 13 kilometers to the south of Udupi along the Udupi - Mangalore National Highway 66. Greatly acclaimed amongst the sightseers and devotees for its three Mariamma Temples and the historical fort established by Tippu Sultan, the Kaup Village is chiefly reckoned for its Kaup Beach and the lofty lighthouse erected here. Though less explored as compared to the other beaches of Karnataka, the Kaup Beach is a must visit destination around Malpe and Udupi. The conspicuously rocky coastline of Kaup renders the sea significantly rough and boisterous as against the calm and gentle sea of Malpe. A trip to Kaup will certainly acquaint you with the intimidating power of the Arabian Sea. The key attraction of the Kaup Beach is its staggering lighthouse dated back to 1901 AD. This 27.12 meters tall Lighthouse haughtily standing upright atop its base offers utterly stupendous panoramas of the surroundings. The Lighthouse is open for visitors from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm every day. The Kaup Beach overloaded with infinite natural bloom has served as a backdrop to a number of films.

Location: At the distance of about 13 kilometers to the north of Udupi
Brahmavar, also spelt as ‘Brahmavara’ and previously known by the name ‘Ajapura’ is a tiny ‘main road town’ of the state of Karnataka that’s nestled at the distance of about 13 kilometers to the north of Udupi. Celebrated far and wide as a pivot of Karnataki culture and heritage, Brahmavar is essentially exalted for its propitious temples, the chief of them being the Mahalingeshwara Temple, the Gopinatha Temple, the Janardhana Shrine, Saint Mary's Syrian Church, Holy Family Church, Shanaishwara Temple, Muduganapathi Temple, Lakshmi Venkataramana Temple, etc. The 9th century Mahalingeshwara Temple built in the Hoysala style of architecture is thronged by the devotees expressly on the occasion of its annual chariot drawing festival. Apart from its immense religious magnitude, Brahmavar is also noted amongst the tourists for its enticing backwaters and the exciting boating facilities available here.

Location: Nearly 12 kilometers from Mangalore and about 70 kilometers away from Malpe
Ullal, situated nearly 12 kilometers from Mangalore and about 70 kilometers away from Malpe is a dandy seaside town located on the southern banks of the Netravati River. Parked facing the Arabian Sea, the serene and placid beach of Ullal characterized with neat and clean shore, lustrous sun and balmy ambiance is a favorite leisure point for the tourists of Karnataka. This sea town once served as the capital of Tulu Empire. The Somanatheshwara Temple, Queen Abbakka’s Fort, St. Sebastian Church and Seyyad Madani Dargah are some of the popular tourist destinations of Ullal. The Jamma Mosque of Ullal was set up in the holy memory of the revered Muslim Saint Syed Muhamed Shareef Madani Melangadi. The legend associated with the construction of Seyyad Madani Dargah states that Seyyad Madani alighted at the shores of Ullal about 400 years ago from Saudi Arabia. He arrived here by floating on a piece of a cloth. The Jamma Masjid is built at a place where he had camped on his arrival. The Dargah of Ullal was built in 1958 and it is very famous for the Uroos Fair that is organized here once in every 5 years.

Location: Just 7 kilometers to the southeast of Malpe
Udupi , located just 7 kilometers to the southeast of Malpe is an urban township and a pilgrimage destination of the state of Karnataka that functions as the headquarters of the Udupi District. Also reckoned by the sobriquets ‘Rajata Peetha’ and ‘Shivalli’ or ‘Shivabelli’, Udupi receives its name from two Sanskrit words ‘Udu’ and ‘Pa’ meaning ‘Stars’ and ‘Lord’ respectively. As per the prevailing lore, Lord Moon worshipped Lord Shiva at Udupi to get rid of the curse of His Father – in – Law; King Daksha and regained his original luster here. The Shiva Lingam at the Chandramaulishvara Temple of Udupi is believed to have consecrated by Lord Moon Himself. Thus ‘Udupi’ means ‘the Land of the Lord of the Stars (Moon)’. Apart from the Chandramaulishvara Temple, Udupi is also famous for its Sri Krishna Temple established by Sri Madhavacharya, Krishna Mutt, Ananteshwara Temple, Ambalpadi Devi Temple, Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple, Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre, Karkala Jain Temples, Moodabidri Jain Temples, Bahubali Statue, etc. Udupi lends its name to the popular Udupi cuisine of South India. Udupi is also renowned for its cultural traditions like Bhuta Kola, Nagaradhane, Karangolu, Aati Kalenja, Yakshagana etc and its temple festivals including Krishna Janmashtami, Rathothsava, Bhajana Saptaha, etc.