Kemmannu is a small coastal village in Udupi district, Karnataka, sitting on the Suvarna (also spelt Swarna) river estuary a short drive north of Udupi town. It is best known for a slender suspension footbridge over the backwaters, quiet mangrove channels you can paddle through, a river-island church, and its closeness to Malpe beach and St Mary’s Islands. This guide explains what the village is, when to go, how to reach it, and how to spend a calm day or two on the Karnataka coast.
Kemmannu, in Udupi district on Karnataka’s Suvarna estuary, is a backwater village known for a photogenic hanging footbridge, mangrove boat and kayak rides, and easy access to Malpe beach and St Mary’s Islands. The best window is October to March, and it pairs well with Udupi town.
Key takeaways
- Kemmannu lies on the Suvarna (Swarna) river in Udupi district, Karnataka, at roughly 13.63°N, 74.70°E, PIN 576115, about 11 km from Udupi town (one Udupi tourism listing).
- The Kemmannu hanging bridge is a roughly 280-foot suspension footbridge over the backwaters; the Thonse gram panchayat ordered a temporary closure in January 2023 citing its dangerous condition (Udayavani), so confirm its status locally before you plan around it.
- Mangrove kayaking and boat rides run on the Swarna backwaters, with trips from about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours; the water is calm year-round and mornings or evenings suit paddling (Karnataka Tourism).
- St Mary’s Islands off Malpe are a National Geological Monument declared by the Geological Survey of India in 1975; ferries from Malpe run about 9 am to 5:30 pm and are suspended during the monsoon, roughly June to September.
- The best season is October to March; the nearest railway station is Udupi, and the nearest airport is Mangaluru (Mangalore), about 60 km from Udupi.
About Kemmannu: quick facts
Kemmannu is a village grama panchayat in Udupi district, on the western coast of Karnataka along the Suvarna River, according to its Wikipedia entry, which gives coordinates of 13°38′N 74°42′E. It falls under the Kemmannu grama panchayat, uses Kannada as its official language, and carries the PIN code 576115.
The appeal here is scale, not spectacle. This is an estuary of river islands (locally kudru), coconut shore, fishing boats and tidal mangrove, a few kilometres inland from the open sea at Malpe. Most travellers treat Kemmannu as a half-day stop woven into an Udupi coastal trip rather than a standalone destination.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Udupi district, Karnataka; western (Konkan) coast |
| River | Suvarna / Swarna river estuary |
| Coordinates | Approx. 13.63°N, 74.70°E (Wikipedia) |
| PIN / STD code | 576115 / 0820 |
| Known for | Hanging footbridge, mangrove kayaking, river islands, church |
| Nearest town | Udupi (about 11 km, per a Udupi tourism listing) |
| Best season | October to March |
Best time to visit Kemmannu
The best time to visit Kemmannu is October to March, when the coastal weather is drier and the sea is calm enough for ferries and boat rides. The southwest monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain to this stretch of coast; it is also when the ferry service to St Mary’s Islands off Malpe stops, according to the St Mary’s Islands record, so a monsoon visit limits what you can actually do on the water.
Within the dry season, early mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable, both for the heat and for paddling. Karnataka Tourism notes the backwater here is calm year-round and that early mornings or evenings are ideal for kayaking.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Post-monsoon / winter | Oct–Feb | Driest and most pleasant; best for boating, beaches and the St Mary’s ferry. Peak travel window. |
| Summer | Mar–May | Hot and humid but usable; water activities still run. Carry sun cover and water. |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Heavy rain; St Mary’s ferries suspended (June–Sep) and sea rough. Mangroves are green but trips are weather-dependent. |
How to reach Kemmannu
Kemmannu is reached via Udupi, about 11 km away, with the nearest railway station at Udupi and the nearest airport at Mangaluru (Mangalore), roughly 60 km from Udupi. There is no direct long-distance transport to the village itself; you travel to Udupi or Malpe first, then cover the last stretch by local bus, autorickshaw or taxi.
By air: Mangaluru International Airport is the closest airport. The Udupi Sri Krishna Temple page notes it is about 59 km from Udupi, with a road journey of roughly 1.5 hours. From the airport, prepaid taxis and buses run towards Udupi.
By train: Udupi railway station, on the Konkan Railway line down the west coast, is the nearest railhead. The St Mary’s Islands record notes Udupi is linked by the West Coast railway towards Mumbai (via Goa and coastal Maharashtra) and towards Thiruvananthapuram.
By road: Udupi sits on National Highway 66, the coastal highway, with frequent buses from Mangaluru, Mangalore, Kundapura and beyond. From Udupi town, local buses, autos and taxis reach Kemmannu and Malpe.
| From | Approx. distance | Mode / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Udupi town / railway station | ~11 km | Auto, taxi or local bus (Udupi tourism listing) |
| Malpe beach | A few km | Taxi / auto; Malpe is ~5–6 km west of Udupi |
| Mangaluru airport | ~60 km from Udupi | Taxi / bus, ~1.5 hr by road |
| Mangaluru city | ~60 km | NH 66, frequent buses |
Things to see and do
The main things to do in Kemmannu are walk or photograph the hanging footbridge, take a mangrove kayak or boat ride on the Swarna backwaters, and use the village as a base for Malpe beach and St Mary’s Islands. It is a slow, water-facing kind of visit rather than a checklist of monuments.
The backwater paddle is the signature experience. Karnataka Tourism lists community-run operators around the Thonse–Hoode and Kemmannu stretch, including Kemmannu Riverside Adventures on the Swarna backwaters and Paradise Mangrove Kayaking near Thonse–Hoode, an island cluster close to the St Mary’s Island ferry point. Routes pass archways of mangrove roots, tiny inlets and open river bends, and you may spot mudskippers, egrets, herons and crabs, with otters occasionally.
| Spot / experience | What it is | Time needed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kemmannu hanging bridge | ~280-ft suspension footbridge over the backwaters | 20–40 min | Reported closed Jan 2023 for safety; reconfirm status |
| Mangrove kayaking / boat ride | Swarna backwater paddle through mangrove channels | 30 min–1.5 hr | Book with a local operator; mornings/evenings best |
| St Theresa Church, Kemmannu | Village parish church (1938, diocese directory) | 20–30 min | Active place of worship; dress modestly |
| Malpe beach | Beach and fishing harbour, St Mary’s ferry point | 1–3 hr | ~5–6 km west of Udupi; water sports in season |
| St Mary’s Islands | Columnar-lava geological monument off Malpe | Half day | Ferry from Malpe; no monsoon service |
The Kemmannu hanging bridge
The Kemmannu hanging bridge is a narrow suspension footbridge, reported at about 280 feet long, strung over the Suvarna backwaters to connect river islands near Thonse. It is the image most people associate with the village, and it is the reason day-trippers make the short detour from Udupi.
Accounts of its origin differ. A 2023 Udayavani report says it was built in the 1980s so residents of the Thimmana Kudru area could cross the rivulet, while one travel listing credits army engineering cadets with building it around January 1991. Treat the exact date as uncertain. What is clear is that once a permanent motorable bridge came up, locals stopped depending on the footbridge and it became a tourist draw.
Status matters here. Udayavani reported that the Thonse gram panchayat ordered a temporary closure in January 2023 because the structure was in a dangerous condition, and Deccan Herald described planks that had aged and torn, weakened by salt water. We could not verify this session whether it has since been repaired or reopened. Label this an indicative, dated fact and ask locally or check recent news before building a plan around walking the bridge.
The church and village life
Kemmannu’s own parish church is St Theresa Church, which the Diocese of Udupi directory lists with a founding year of 1938; there is no St Lawrence church in the village itself. This is worth clarifying, because the well-known St Lawrence shrine in this region is elsewhere, at Attur near Karkala, and travellers sometimes confuse the two.
The St Lawrence Shrine Basilica at Attur, in Karkala taluk, was elevated to a minor basilica by Pope Francis on 26 April 2016, and its present church was consecrated on 22 January 1901, per the shrine’s records. It makes a worthwhile half-day excursion inland if you are interested in the coast’s Catholic heritage, but it is a separate trip, not part of Kemmannu.
In the village itself, life runs on fishing, coconut groves and river crossings between the kudru islands. Treat it as a lived-in place, not a set piece: ask before photographing people or boats, and keep to public paths.
Suggested itinerary
A half day covers Kemmannu comfortably; a full day lets you add Malpe and St Mary’s Islands. Here is a simple plan from an Udupi base.
- Half day (morning): Reach Kemmannu early from Udupi. Take a mangrove kayak or boat ride on the Swarna backwaters, then see the hanging bridge (if open) and St Theresa Church. Return to Udupi for lunch.
- Full day: Morning backwater paddle at Kemmannu, then drive to Malpe. Catch a ferry to St Mary’s Islands (dry season only), spend time on Malpe beach, and end with sunset near the coast.
- Two days: Day 1 as above. Day 2 for Udupi town — the Sri Krishna Matha and temple streets in the morning, Kaup (Kapu) beach and lighthouse towards evening.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in Udupi town or at Malpe rather than in Kemmannu itself, since the village has limited formal accommodation. Udupi offers the widest choice and the easiest transport links; Malpe suits those who want to be beside the beach and the St Mary’s ferry.
The figures below are indicative planning bands for the dry season and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking; coastal tariffs rise sharply over festivals and the December–January peak, so book ahead.
| Category | Indicative price | Where / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,000–₹2,000 | Lodges and guesthouses in Udupi town; basic rooms |
| Mid-range | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | Hotels in Udupi; some beach stays near Malpe |
| Upper / resort | ₹6,000+ | Beach resorts around Malpe and the coast; book early in peak |
Food to try
Udupi and its coast are a landmark of South Indian vegetarian cooking, and the area around Kemmannu is also strong on coastal seafood. Eat in Udupi town or Malpe for the widest range.
- Masala dosa (crisp rice-and-lentil crepe with a spiced potato filling) — the Udupi style is widely credited as the dish’s home.
- Neer dosa (soft, lacy rice-batter crepe) served with chutney or curry.
- Goli baje (fluffy deep-fried flour fritters, a local tea-time snack).
- Coastal seafood — Mangalorean-style fish, prawn and squid preparations such as fish ghee roast, common in and around Malpe.
- Filter coffee and simple thali meals at Udupi’s many vegetarian eateries.
Budget breakdown
A no-frills day trip to Kemmannu from an Udupi base can be done cheaply; adding a boat ride, the St Mary’s ferry and a hotel night raises the total. The figures below are indicative planning estimates for one person, to be reconfirmed, and exclude long-distance travel to Udupi.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Local transport (Udupi–Kemmannu–Malpe) | ₹300–₹800 | Shared auto/bus to private taxi |
| Mangrove kayak / boat ride | Reconfirm locally | Varies by operator and trip length (30 min–1.5 hr) |
| St Mary’s Islands ferry | Reconfirm at Malpe | Dry-season service only |
| Meals and snacks | ₹300–₹700 | Udupi vegetarian meals plus snacks |
| Accommodation (optional night) | ₹1,000–₹5,000 | Budget to mid-range in Udupi/Malpe |
We could not verify current boat-ride and ferry fares this session, so those are left to confirm on the ground rather than estimated.
Access, permits and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Kemmannu village, its church or the open backwaters; it is an open village and the footbridge, when in use, has no formal entry system. Access here should be treated as indicative and dated, because the one volatile point is the hanging bridge’s safety status, reported closed by the Thonse gram panchayat in January 2023.
St Mary’s Islands are more regulated. The Udupi district administration imposes a seasonal ban on tourist entry during the monsoon — reported as running from around 16 May to 15 September, with water sports also suspended — and ferries from Malpe do not operate June to September, per the St Mary’s Islands record. Follow operator safety instructions on all boat rides, wear the life jacket provided, and respect the plastic-free, zero-pollution guidelines that Karnataka Tourism says the community kayaking groups follow.
Practical tips
- Connectivity and cash: Udupi town has banks, ATMs and reliable mobile coverage and UPI; carry some cash for autos and small operators near the village.
- Medical: Udupi and nearby Manipal have large hospitals, so serious medical care is close at hand.
- What to wear: Light cottons year-round; add a hat, sunscreen and water for the dry season, and a rain layer in the monsoon.
- On the water: Wear the life jacket, keep phones in a waterproof pouch, and go early to avoid midday heat and wind.
- Solo women travellers: Udupi is generally an easy, well-trafficked base; stick to daytime boat trips and keep to busier beach stretches after dark, as anywhere.
- Respect the village: Ask before photographing people or boats, and do not litter the mangroves or shore.
Nearby places
Kemmannu sits within an easy cluster of Udupi-district attractions, so it is simple to combine with beaches, a famous temple and a geological island in one trip.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Malpe beach | A few km | Beach, fishing harbour and the ferry point for St Mary’s Islands |
| St Mary’s Islands | Off Malpe (by ferry) | National Geological Monument with columnar lava formations |
| Udupi Sri Krishna Matha | ~11 km (via Udupi) | 13th-century matha founded by Madhvacharya; Udupi’s spiritual heart |
| Kaup (Kapu) beach and lighthouse | South of Udupi | Landmark lighthouse with evening viewing and a long beach |
| St Lawrence Shrine Basilica, Attur | Near Karkala (inland) | Minor basilica since 2016; a half-day heritage excursion |
For planning the wider state, see our Karnataka travel guide, and for the coastal gateway city to the south, our Mangalore travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kemmannu and what is it known for?
Kemmannu is a coastal village in Udupi district, Karnataka, on the Suvarna (Swarna) river estuary, about 11 km from Udupi town. It is known for its suspension footbridge over the backwaters, mangrove kayaking and boat rides, river islands, and its closeness to Malpe beach and St Mary’s Islands.
Is the Kemmannu hanging bridge open to visitors?
As of reports from January 2023, the Thonse gram panchayat ordered a temporary closure of the Kemmannu hanging bridge, citing its dangerous condition, according to Udayavani. We could not verify this session whether it has since reopened, so treat the status as uncertain and check locally or in recent news before planning to walk across it.
What is the best time to visit Kemmannu?
The best time to visit Kemmannu is October to March, when the coast is drier and the sea is calm for boat rides and the St Mary’s Islands ferry. Avoid the monsoon, roughly June to September, when heavy rain hits the coast and the Malpe ferry service to St Mary’s Islands is suspended.
How do I reach Kemmannu?
Reach Kemmannu via Udupi, about 11 km away. The nearest railway station is Udupi on the Konkan Railway line, and the nearest airport is Mangaluru (Mangalore), about 60 km from Udupi, roughly 1.5 hours by road. From Udupi or Malpe, take a local bus, autorickshaw or taxi to the village.
Can you go kayaking or boating in the Kemmannu backwaters?
Yes. Community-run operators offer kayaking and boat rides on the Swarna backwaters around Kemmannu and Thonse–Hoode, with trips from about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, according to Karnataka Tourism. The water is calm year-round, mornings and evenings are best, and routes pass mangrove channels where you may see egrets, herons and mudskippers.
Is there a St Lawrence church in Kemmannu?
No. Kemmannu’s own parish church is St Theresa Church, listed with a 1938 founding year in the Diocese of Udupi directory. The famous St Lawrence Shrine Basilica is at Attur near Karkala, inland from the coast, elevated to a minor basilica in 2016 — a separate half-day trip rather than part of Kemmannu village.
Last updated and sources
Kemmannu suits travellers who want a slow, water-facing half day on the Karnataka coast, best enjoyed between October and March as part of an Udupi and Malpe trip. Reconfirm the hanging bridge’s safety status and all boat and ferry fares before you go.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Karnataka Tourism — kayaking in Udupi backwaters; Wikipedia — Kemmannu; Wikipedia — St Mary’s Islands; Udayavani — Kemmannu suspension bridge temporarily closed; Deccan Herald — Kemmannu hanging bridge awaiting facelift; Wikipedia — St Lawrence Shrine Basilica, Attur; UNESCO World Heritage tentative list — St Mary’s Islands geology; Incredible India — Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi. Accessed October 2026.
