Pics: Nithin Pereira

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)

Udupi, May 23: With the onset of summer, Udupi usually witnesses a surge in tourist footfall, drawn by its coastal charm. Popular destinations like Malpe Beach, St Mary’s Island, Kollur, and the Krishna Math temple are among the top attractions for travellers. However, this year, tourists are facing unexpected disappointment.

To ensure safety during the monsoon season, the district administration has imposed a four-month ban on all water adventure activities and access to St Mary’s Island, effective from May 15 to September 15. This annual restriction is enforced due to rough sea conditions that make boat travel and water sports hazardous during the monsoon.

The ban, enforced under harbour craft regulations, prohibits boat operations along the western coast and is strictly implemented every year. Consequently, all water-based tourism activities at Malpe Beach have been suspended.

Despite the summer holiday rush bringing in thousands of visitors daily, the authorities remain firm on safety protocols. Appeals from the tourism sector to extend access for a few more days have been turned down, with officials maintaining that the restrictions are non-negotiable. Tourists may be allowed limited water access based on favourable sea conditions until June 1, after which barricades will be installed along the beach to restrict entry.

Officials clarified that the measures are necessary to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. Still, the decision has left many tourists disheartened, especially those who have travelled from distant places hoping to experience Udupi’s coastal attractions.

Tourists are now advised to plan their trips to Udupi after the monsoon, when full access to beaches and islands will resume.

Muthanna, who organises cricket and shooting games on the beach, said, “As per government orders, we have closed the games from May 15 to September 15. The number of visitors is already lower than usual, and we are expecting even fewer tourists from June as schools will reopen.”

Ananth, a tourist from Bangalore, said, “My family and I visited Krishna Math and then came to Malpe Beach. We missed the chance to see St Mary’s Island, but the lifeguards and security personnel are doing their jobs well. Some people are trying to go deeper into the water, but the security staff are doing their best to stop them.”