Gokarna Beaches
Scenic view where the sun and the sands meet, beach
vacations are all about fun. A little less Goa and more of a spiritual
destination is Gokarna. It lies in the western coastal region of Karnataka and
attracts Shiva devotees across India and is known as one of the pilgrimage
places for the Hindu. Due to its laid back and scenic beaches, it attracts many
westerners and younger generations. Gokarna is known for 5 well know and
amazing beaches-Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Paradise Beach, Half Moon Beach, and
Nirvana Beach.
Reaching Kudle is easy. It’s about 10 minutes drive from the
bus stop. The auto ride would cost you Rs.100 to get to the place. Now you
should know that no transportation can take you to the footstep of your hotel or
the beach. The muddy road ends a kilometer away and you will have to trek to go
to the beach.
Kudle beach has so much to offer. It is one of the most
beautiful beaches in Gokarna and one can find decent affordable hotels on this
beach to stay. We stayed in a place called Hotel Gokarna International. Travelers
choose this place as it’s just a jump away from the beach and we had chosen
rooms facing the beach and need I say about the view. The hotel is decent for a
2-3 day stay and has a café which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner though
none of it comes complimentary with the stay. Besides Gokarna international,
there are 2 other popular ones – Jasmine Café and Shangri-La guest house.
Since Kudle is easier to access when compared to other
beaches, you will see a lot of tourists who take a swim at the beach. The most
crowded time is during the weekends where the locals come out with their
families. Otherwise, this will be a very peaceful isolated beach. A beautiful stretch for a walk by the waves
and clean waters for swimming, you could have not asked for more. Because you
are a few steps away from your hotel rooms, you can chill on the beach even
until early mornings.
Om beach is not far from Kudle. It’s a small trek away which
might take you around 45 minutes to reach if by foot. You will know you have
reached Om beach from the road view. It is an amazing site to be in this place
especially during dawn and dusk.
The beach shore is shaped in the symbolic way of the Hindu
chant Om and thus the name. Sky view gives you answers to why the beach was
named Om. A Shiv ling sits right in the centre of the beach and many devotes
come to visit the beach as they consider it holy. The beach has a few places to
stay over. Namastey café is one the most popular ones among others. Rasta café
is popular among foreigners. Rasta café however is a shack stay which makes it
all the more nature friendly. The place is completely dark after dusk and the
only light comes from the moon. On no moon day, you sure will need company and
help of a torch but not very safe.
If you are staying off beach limits, then Om Beach resort is
recommended. It has semi-luxurious rooms and many other facilities when
compared to stays on the OM beach itself.
Om beach comes in between Kudle and Half Moon beach. Half
moon beach comes closer to one end of Om where Rasta is located. The beach is
about 20 minutes trek away from Om. The pathway of the trek is very narrow and
adventurous. But at the end of it all, comes a beautiful isolated beach called
Half Moon Beach. People existence is nil and only a few people drop by, those
bypassing to reach paradise beach. A small stretch of the shore and since it is
isolated, gives you a sense of peace.
Another trek away is the Paradise beach. Purest, cleanest
and the closest to Mother Nature, this beach is also often referred to as White
Sand beach. This beach is often out of reach for people but is open a few
times. Due to its distance, people seldom visit here and mostly by boats. Boat
ride could be fun, but they are missing out on the splendid trek. The beach has
no shops or stays.
Besides the beaches, Gokarna is well known for its Shiva’s
temple. The temple is in the city limits and people who come to visit Gokarna
cannot miss a visit to the temple.
Transportation :
It’s best you travel to the place by your private transportation or avail bus
services as there are ample available. If you want to enjoy Gokarna, then it
has to be by foot since most of the places have limited access to vehicles and
you have to trek through hilly regions to cover a few beaches.
Best time to Visit:
Make sure to plan your trip off the rainy and the sunny seasons. Optimal time
to visit Gokarna is between Octobers to February. Rains will spoil the travel.
You cannot escape tanning, but you can at least reduce the risk of skin burns
during the hottest days in summer.
Stay: You can opt
to stay either in the city limits of close to the beach. Tourists who come to
visit Gokarna for its beaches can choose hotels/stays near the beach and those
who are visiting for pilgrimage can stay close to the city.
Clothes &
Essentials to carry: Do not carry too many things with you as you will have
to carry it around while trekking and most of the trekking trails are narrow
and slippery. Ensure to carry your swim wear, change of clothes, warm clothes
for the night (only during winters), and comfortable sandals and sports shoes
for trekking. Make sure to carry sufficient water whenever travelling. Since it
is a humid place, you will need a lot of water to quench thirst. If tanning is
not what you expect, don’t forget to carry some sunscreens.
Beverages: Café’s
on the beach serve beer, but if you need something beyond it, you will have to
travel to the city to buy some.
Activities: There
are several beach activities that is available provided the sea is safe. Banana
boats are the most famous one of them. And then there is a regular boat rise
which takes you to far away and unattended beaches in the region.
Shopping: Don’t
expect to shop in any of these beaches. Apart from one shop on Om Beach, you
will not find any other shops unlike Goa.
Food Joints: What
better than seafood in a costal location. Lobsters, crabs, fish and prawns are
some of the famous food around Gokarna. Namastey café and Rasta café both serve
good food.
If you are looking for a relaxed vacation, hit the road that takes you to Gokarna. You will be able to find peace with yourself.
