Udupi\'s Mangrove Kayaking is the new tourist attraction in the state

Udupi: After beach and temple tourism, Mangrove Kayaking is the new attraction for the tourists in Udupi.

Udupi has a large Mangrove Forest cover. Mithun Kodi and Lokesh- the two enthusiastic youths of Saligrama village near Udupi came up with the idea of Mangrove Kayaking on the backwaters of Seethanadi in Saligrama village. This has now turned out to be a crowd puller.

“My friend Lokesh and I started this about two months ago. We are getting a good response from the people. Tourists are more from Bengaluru and Manipal. The number swells during the weekend,” Mithun Kodi told Deccan Chronicle.

"We are on google. People contact us through social media and book Kayaking," he added.

“The Mangrove Kayaking is an experience by itself. The slow-moving boat, the sound of the water, the sun rays penetrating through the mangrove, all these give a special touch to the Kayaking experience,” Anand, who had been on Kayaking said.

For those without any experience in Kayaking, the short 10 minutes of training will be sufficient to confidently enjoy the 8 km tour for two hours.

Kayaking is open from 7 am to 7 pm. People can enjoy during high tide as the water level is more and boats can enter the Mangroves easily.

Kayaking is only on the backwaters and there are no dangerous spots in this stretch. The sophisticated boats and the life jackets make the experience safer.

While there is Kayaking in other places too, this Mangrove Kayaking is said to be the first of its kind in Udupi district.