Gokarna is located on the northern coastline of Karnataka, and a place is a blend of beaches and spirituality. If you feel Goa is crowded, then Gokarna is for you. A town that shares a tale of rich cultural, spiritual, and scenic beaches gives a soulful experience.
In this blog post, we will explore the places to visit in Gokarna, the best season to explore, what to eat, how to reach, and where to stay in Gokarna. Stay connected with me!
Places to Visit in Gokarna
The places to visit in Gokarna are divided into 2 parts. First, we will explore the Beaches of Gokarna, and then the Other Places to visit in Gokarna, which include the places within a radius of 100km from Gokarna.
Beaches in Gokarna
Gokarna Main Beach
The longest beach in Gokarna, and tourists visit this beach to take the blessings of Sri. Mahabaleshwara Swami Temple. The roads at Gokarna Beach lead to different parts of the beach, and here you can explore a lot of cafes and good properties to stay in. You can try Namaste Samudra Café for a meal or a yoga class. The most unique thing to do at the Gokarna Main beach is that you can take a surfing course here, which is available only at a handful of places in India. If you are interested, check out Cocopelli Surf School.
Kudle Beach
To explore the Kudle Beach, you have to walk on a road on either side of the beach. There are ample parking spaces on both sides of the beach. Kudle Beach is a safe place for swimming. There are lots of cafes and shacks here, where you can stay as well as eat. Check out La Pizzeria and Uma Maheshwari Café for a delicious meal. If you are at Kudle Beach in the evening, the best thing to do here would be to visit the little Flea Market set up by backpackers from across the world and some locals.
Om Beach
The most popular beach amongst the tourists. The beach is accessible by road on one side and only by a trek on the other side. There are a lot of Cafes to explore, and Namaste Café is the most popular amongst them. You will also find many water sports options like Kayaking and Jet Skiing on the beach.
Half Moon Beach
The beach is a crescent shaped which is only accessible by a trek or a ferry. It is a very peaceful beach with only a couple of shacks. If you are looking to chill in Gokarna, then Half Moon Beach is the best place to explore.
Paradise Beach
The beach used to be an offbeat beach, only frequented by backpackers. It is only accessible by a trek or a ferry from Belekan Beach or Half Moon Beach. Paradise Beach is a small rocky beach, but it’s a lot of fun to swim here. Now, a couple of vendors have set up a campsite and a Kayaking shop here.
Gokarna Beach Trek
It is the best way to explore the beaches of Gokarna and an easy DIY trek that a beginner can do. While on the Gokarna Beach Trek, you will be crossing small hills that separate the beaches of Gokarna. This trek is done between Kudle Beach and Paradise Beach, and the distance is roughly 10km, which you can easily finish at your own pace. You can easily find the trail on Google Maps.
Honey Beach and Nirvana Beach
These two beaches in Gokarna are a little far from Gokarna Town, and you will need a vehicle to visit them. You can visit them if you want to escape the crowds of Gokarna.
Other Places to Visit in Gokarna
Sri Mahabaleshwara Swami Temple
It is a 4th-century temple and is one of the most important Shiva temples of South India. If you have time, or if you are interested in visiting more temples and religious sites. You can also check out Koti Tirtha, Mahaganapati Temple, and Sri Uma Maheshwar Temple.
Kudle Hilltop
It is a small cliff between Kudle Beach Road and Kudle Beach Road, which offers the best sunset view in Gokarna.
Gokarna Market
You can visit the market and do some shopping. Here you will find lots of hip products like clothes, bags, leather products, and musical instruments too.
Places to Visit Near Gokarna
There are a lot of places outside Gokarna, within a 100 km radius, which makes a good day trip option. The best way to reach these places is in a rented two-wheeler, which you will find easily anywhere in Gokarna for around Rs. 300/- a day.
Vibhuti Falls and Yana Rock Formation
These places are located around 40-50 km from Gokarna, and both of them can be covered in a single journey. The distance between these two places is only 9 km. At both places, there is a nominal parking fee.
Vibhuti Falls is a quite beautiful place, and you can swim here. Please be cautious as the rocks in the fall are quite slippery and the depth of the water is around 5-6 ft., depending on the season. Yana Rock Formation is a naturally occurring structure located in a thick forest. The road to Yana is not in good condition, so be careful.
Mirijan Fort
The fort is located 21 km away from Gokarna and is open to tourists from 8:00 am in the morning till 5:30 pm in the evening. The best time to visit the fort is after the monsoons, when the walls of the fort are completely covered with moss. In the afternoon, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, the sun gets very harsh, so plan it in the morning or after 3:00 pm.
Murudeshwar Temple
The temple is located 78km away from Gokarna, and it is home to the second-largest Shiva Statue in the world. Besides the statue, there is also a 20-storey high temple and a beach. The temple has a lift that takes you to the top, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the statue as well as the region.
Netrani Island
It is located 19km off the Murudeshwar Shore, and it is a good place for Scuba Diving. Several companies are offering Scuba experience here, and it is recommended that you book online. The cost of Scuba Diving here is around Rs. 400/- per person.
If you have more time, you can also check out other places like Dandeli, Udupi and Jog Falls.
Best Time to Visit Gokarna
The quaint city administers hot weather and humidity from March to September. The best time to visit Gokarna is between October to February.
Where to Eat in Gokarna
Every beach in Gokarna has its own shacks, and the food here is more or less the same. Apart from Beach shacks, there are two places that I would recommend:
- Halfway Home (Authentic Kannada or Mangalorean Cuisine)
- Mantra Café at Zostel
Where to Stay in Gokarna
The city provides all types of accommodation available for travellers. You will find hostels, campsites, beach shacks, resorts, and even a Zostel in Gokarna.
- Solo Traveler: If you are travelling solo, then a hostel or Zostel is the best option to stay. Zostel is available in Gokarna and offers an amazing stay at a reasonable cost.
- Budgeted Stay: If you are travelling on a budget, then the most economical option for you would be a beach campsite or shacks.
- Luxurious Stay: If you want to stay at a little luxurious campsite, you can choose Halfway Home on Kudle Beach Road. The campsite provides a good experience.
- Ultra Luxury Stay: If you prefer upscale places and luxury resorts, check out Kahani Paradise at Belekan.
How to Reach Gokarna
- Flight: The nearest airport is Manohar International Airport in Goa, and then from there, take a train or car to reach Gokarna.
- Train: There are daily trains available from major cities like Mumbai and Bangalore to Gokarna Road Station. The station is only 10km away from the town. To get to the city, you will need to take an auto, which will cost around Rs. 300 – 400.
- Bus: You can take a bus from Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune. If you are coming from Bangalore, the KSRTC Bus is the best option as the rates are reasonable, and the bus will drop you directly inside the town.
Final Thought
In this blog post, I have shared all the information that will be needed in your trip to Gokarna. Whether you are a religious person, beach lover, or fond of beaches, Gokarn is for you. Plan a trip and share your thoughts with me.
Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema……………
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