Mangrove Kayaking in Saligrama — A Complete Guide

Twenty years ago nobody came to Parampalli. Then two young men from Saligrama looked at the tangle of mangroves behind the village, at the flat brown water threading between the roots, and had the idea of putting kayaks on it. Karnataka Tourism now lists mangrove kayaking in the Udupi backwaters as one of the state's signature experiences.

The launch point is about two minutes from our gate.

What it actually is

You are not paddling on the sea. The Seetha river slows down before it reaches the Arabian Sea and spreads into a network of shallow, sheltered channels lined with mangrove. The water is calm almost all the time — this is not a whitewater sport, and you do not need to be an athlete.

What you get instead is quiet. You duck under mangrove arches, the roots come up out of the water on both sides like flying buttresses, and every few minutes something moves: a kingfisher, a heron lifting off, mudskippers flicking across the bank. Fishermen work the same channels in wooden canoes and mostly ignore you.

A typical outing runs one to two hours. Guides from the village take you through the trails — worth taking one the first time, because the channels branch and it is easy to end up somewhere you did not mean to be.

Where to go from

The activity clusters around the Parampalli bridge, roughly 2 km off NH 66 at Saligrama. There is more than one operator working the area now, and other launch points have opened along the Udupi coast — Kemmannu, Mattu, Hejamadi, Padubidri and Kodi near Kundapura all have kayaking of their own.

Saligrama is the original, and still the least crowded.

When to go

Time of day matters more than most people expect.

Season: October to May. During the monsoon, from June through September, the river runs high and fast and the operators shut down. If you are planning a trip specifically to kayak, do not come between June and September.

Tide: the channels are shallow. At very low tide some of the narrower trails turn to mud. Operators know the tide table — call ahead rather than turning up and hoping.

What to bring

• Something you do not mind getting wet, and a dry set in the car
• A hat and sunscreen; there is shade under the mangroves but not on the open stretches
• Water
• Insect repellent for early morning and dusk
• A phone in a waterproof pouch, or leave it behind

Kayaks, paddles and life jackets are provided. You do not need experience — a sit-on-top kayak on flat water is close to unsinkable, and most people have the hang of it inside five minutes.

What it costs

Expect somewhere in the region of a few hundred rupees per person for a standard guided trail, more for longer or private trips. Prices change and vary between operators, so treat any number you read online — including this one — as an estimate and confirm when you book.

Is it good for children?

Yes, with the usual caveats. The water is calm and shallow, life jackets are standard, and most operators will put a child in a double kayak with an adult. Ask about age limits when you call — they differ.

Making a morning of it

The obvious pairing is kayaking early, breakfast after, then the beach for the rest of the day. The Parampalli shoreline is a few hundred metres from the launch and is usually completely empty — no shacks, no jet skis, no rows of loungers.

Our kitchen is a two-minute drive from the launch point, and we are open to people who are not staying with us. Come off the water and eat something proper — it is a rare thing in this stretch of coast, which is exactly why we built it.

The short version

• Where: Parampalli bridge, Saligrama — about 2 km off NH 66
• When: October to May, ideally before 9 am
• How long: one to two hours
• Difficulty: easy; no experience needed
• Bring: hat, sunscreen, water, repellent, clothes that can get wet
• Skip if: it is monsoon season