Planning a road trip from Mangalore or Manipal to Udupi’s surf coast? Here’s your complete weekend guide to Mulki — travel routes, a day-by-day itinerary, and the best beach stays and pool stays in Udupi for after the waves.
Quick answer: Mulki is a 65 km, 1.5-hour drive from Manipal along NH66, making it the easiest weekend surf escape for students and travelers in coastal Karnataka. Leave Friday evening, surf Saturday, and be back by Sunday night total cost per person starts around ₹3,500.
Manipal’s international student community has made Mulki a go-to weekend spot close enough for a Friday-night dash, quiet enough to feel like a real break from campus life. The drive itself is part of the reward: NH66 cuts through Udupi town, past paddy fields, coconut groves, and glimpses of the coast before the road drops you into Mulki’s estuary town.
This route also happens to be one of the best short road trips from Mangalore to Udupi, since Mulki sits almost exactly between the two so whether you’re starting from Manipal, Mangalore, or Udupi itself, the plan below works.
| Mode | Details |
| Cab/taxi | ~1.5 hrs, ₹800–1,200 one way |
| Bus | Mangalore-bound bus from Udupi stand, alight at Mulki junction |
| Bike/scooter | Best way to enjoy the scenic NH66 stretch |
| Train | Mulki has its own station on the Konkan Railway line |
Friday — Arrive & Settle In Aim to reach by 5 PM for sunset over the estuary. Check in, rent a board if needed, and take an easy evening walk along the water. Dinner at a local shack Mangalorean fish curry with neer dosa is non-negotiable.
Saturday — Full Surf Day Start early; the sea is calmest before 7 AM and the morning light is worth waking up for. Take a lesson or paddle out solo if you’re experienced. After a late lunch, explore the backwaters by kayak or just nap on the sand. Saturday evenings often bring small bonfires hosted by the local surf community.
Sunday — Half Day, Then Home One last morning session, then pack up by noon. On the drive back, stop at Udupi’s Sri Krishna Temple and eat a proper Udupi thali before heading home. You’ll be back in Manipal by evening tired, sunburnt, happy.
Mulki itself has surf camps and homestays, but if you want a bit more comfort especially for a group basing yourself in nearby Udupi opens up some excellent options. EWA Properties has a solid lineup of Udupi beach stays worth checking out:
You can filter by number of rooms, guest count, and amenities like swimming pool or beachside location directly on their site to match your group size and budget.
How far is Mulki from Manipal? About 65 km, roughly a 1.5-hour drive via NH66.
Is Mulki good for beginner surfers? Yes — most surf camps offer beginner lessons, and mornings before 7 AM tend to have the calmest water.
Can I stay in Udupi instead of Mulki? Absolutely. Udupi is close by and has a wider range of beach villas and pool stays, making it a comfortable base if you’re traveling with a group.
Ready to book your weekend? Explore beach villas and pool stays in Udupi for your Mulki surf trip. See Stays →
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