Karnataka Beaches

Most tourists are well aware of Mangalore for it’s serene beaches namely, Malpe and Panambur beach of the others, but now, here is another place not many know about but has become one of the ultimate beach retreat places. Call it our little Goa or the replica of Goa, about 5 hours away from Mangalore is Gokarna. This place sees many foreign travelers every month and why not? If you are looking to go on a pilgrimage or to spend some sea time at the Om Beach and Kudle Beach, well, this is the ultimate destination.

Gokarna
A sleepy Brahmin town, lodged somewhere between a conservative society and a faithful hippy fan following, Gokarna is a dream destination for so many different reasons. Its refusal to fall into a certain type casted slot is just one of them. Open beaches, undiscovered coves, epiphanic sunsets, jagged cliffs, quaint temples and an evasive culture make Gokarna whatever you want it to be. Sun, sand and surf is what you go to Gokarna for, and the solitude it offers is like a bonus track on a great music album. The Om Beach, with its Om-shaped shoreline is a scramble down a rocky cliff - just like every other beach in Gokarna. Cliffs separate each of Gokarana’s five beaches from the other and offer spectacular views far out into the Arabian Sea. You can either take a boat ride to other beaches or walk it down. But either way the Kudle Beach, the Paradise Beach, the Half-moon Beach and the Gokarna Beach are worth a visit.
With beach shacks aplenty, you can either idle away your time in sun-soaked bliss - the Half-moon in its quaint smallness is as secluded as a private beach - or you can go for an action-packed beach holiday. Fishing trips, jet-skiing, boating trips to spot dolphins off the coast, banana boat rides and good food at the end of it all. And yes, just as Gokarna becomes whatever you want it to be, for the few days you are there, it also lets you be whoever you want to be.

Marwanthe
Take in the spectacular views at Marawanthe, a seaside town where the West Coast Highway cruises alongside the Arabian Sea on one side, with the picturesque Kodachadri Hills forming a backdrop to the Sauparnika River on the other. Marawanthe wears the look of a fairyland at sunset when the sky turns crimson and the golden rays of the sun are reflected in the sea as well as the river. Water sports promise an action-filled holiday. Visit Baindur, a hamlet 45km from Marawanthe with a lovely beach close by. Near Baindur is the scenic Ottinane with its overhanging cliffs, an ideal place for viewing the sunset. A further drive will take you to the Belaka Theertha Falls near Baindur.

Karwar
With gentle waves, miles of golden sand, a tranquil ambience and acres of emerald foliage, Karwar has all the makings of a perfect holiday destination. The captivating landscape is ringed with rugged hill ranges, thick woods and mysteriously deep valleys. This paradise inspired the great Indian muse Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first play. Since then, this little town has continued to inspire all its visitors. The Sadashivgad Hill Fort with a Durga Temple, the unique octagonal church, the 300-year-old Venkatrama Temple with ochre paintings and the Naganatha Temple, where an ant hill is worshipped, are sure to make a lasting impression. Devbagh is the most enchanting of the five islands along the Karwar coast. Visits to Anjidev Island are restricted.

Malpe
At the mouth of the Malpe River, about 6km from Udupi, is the natural harbour of Malpe, an important fishing centre that enriches Karnataka's coastline with its fabulous beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, clear blue sky and the gentle murmur of the sea set the perfect mood for an idyllic holiday. Across the bay is the island of Darya Bahadurgarh. Be sure to visit the Balarama Temple and Malpe's oldest tile factory, set up by the Basel Mission.

Suratkal
15km north of Ullal, this beach is near the promontory on which the new lighthouse stands. A steep path connects the lighthouse to the Sadashiva Temple.

Murdeshwar
Murudeshwar will help you rediscover your love for solitude. Seat yourself at a vantage point on a hillock and watch the relentless waves crashing against the rock. Murudeshwar will woo you with its beaches, Shiva Temple and the tallest Shiva statue in India.

Kaup
Kaup is situated 12km south of Udupi, on the coastal belt that passes through the West Coast National Highway. It has a lovely beach, a ruined fort and an old 100ft. high lighthouse. The two temples of Goddess Mariamma in Kaup are famous. The Jain basadis here are in ruins, but are worth a visit.

St.Mary’s Island
About 6km from the Malpe coast into the Arabian Sea, one gets to see the palm-fringed St. Mary's Island which bears the cross that Vasco Da Gama placed when he landed in 1498. The island is 300m long and 100m wide. It is famous for its unique salt rock formations. Due to this geological importance, St. Mary's Island is declared as a National Geological Monument. It is also rated among Indias top 7 Natural Wonders by Jet Wings Magazine (November 2009).