Kundapur is the headquarters town of the taluk is about 36 km from Udupi. The place got its name from the Kundeshvara temple built by Kundavarma in the vicinity of the Panchagangavalli river.

Kundapur is also described as the "town of the sun". It has another old temple, that of Mahalingeshwara. It was the principal port of the Rajas of Baindoor who came to prominence after the decline of the Vijaya Nagara power.

The taluk of Kundapur is well blessed with more rivers than any other taluk of South Kanara. It has also a 45 kilometre long sea coast on the western side extending up to its northern boundary. Kundapur is the only taluk of the district where bisons are found in its forests.