Karnataka Beaches

Karnataka has a 320 kms long coastline which is bordered by beautiful palm trees. It has the Western Ghats in the east and is blessed with the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in the West. The coastline of Karnataka offers a picture perfect world of beaches. The scenic beauty and untouched charm of the beach areas make Karnataka beaches a must visit beach holiday destinations. Beautiful beaches with mesmerizing charm and serenity pulls innumerable tourists from all over the world.

Some important beaches of Karnatanka are :
Karwar Beach
Karwar is a beautiful beach with gentle waves, palm-laced beaches, silver sand, and calm, peaceful valleys. This beach has many attractions like 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 worshiped. Devbagh is the most enchanting of the five islands along the Karwar coast. Best season to visit Karwar is from September to mid May.

Malpe Beach
About 6 kms. from Udupi, is the natural harbor of Malpe, situated at mouth of river Malpe. It is an important fishing center on Karnataka’s coastline and is famous for its scenic beauty. Other attractions at this enchanting beach are, the island of Darya Bahadurgarh across the bay, the Balarama Temple and Malpe’s oldest tile factory, set up by the Basel Mission. Just a boat ride away, the St Mary's Island is another admirable holiday destination from Malpe Beach. Best season to visit Malpe is from August to March.

Maravanthe Beach
Situated 50 kms from Udupi is the Marvanthe beach, a unique seaside town of Karnataka. 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. The beach makes quite a promising site for water sports and holidaying

Sunsets at Maravanthe are particularly beautiful when the golden rays of the Sun are reflected both in the sea and the river.A drive further up are the Belekal Theertha falls, near Baindur. Other attractions around Maravanthe are Baindur, Ottanane and Belaka Theertha falls. Best season to visit this beach is from August to March.

Bhatkal Beach
Bhatkal Beach is situated 16-km from Bhatkal and 126 kms from Karwar. Bhatkal was the main port of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century. Marked by the flowing sea and glorious hills, this beach is a popular tourist spot and known for the gorgeous temples, the Jain Chadranatha Basadi and a 17th century Vijayanagar temple with animal carvings typical of the Vijayanagar artisans. Best season to visit Bhatkal beach is from August to March.

Murudeshwar Beach
Located 16 kms from Bhatkal, Murudeshwar beach is believed to have been consecrated by a piece of the Pranalinga of Mahabaleshwara thrown by Ravana and has some beautiful carvings and statues. It is a popular picnic spot, having beautiful blue waters of the sea and the majestic mountains. Other attractions around this beach are the Murdeshwar temple, the Kanduka Giri and the fort of Tipu Sultan. This lovely destination can be visited throughout the year.

Kurumgad
Situated from 4 kms. from the mainland, this tortoise-shaped island is world famous for the hilltop Narasimha Temple. Here thousands of devotees gather during the annual jatra held on Pushya Purnima every year in early January. One can enjoy viewing the sea and the sand. One can also indulge in activities such as trekking, fishing, dolphin and seal-spotting, boat rides to neighbouring islands, diving, snorkeling, treasure hunts, guided tours, or star-gazing.

Gokarna
Gokarna is famous for its narrow streets, traditional houses and temples, the town of Gokarna is the favourite haunt of Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars and beach buffs. Om beach, one of Gokarna’s five famed beaches, takes the shape of an ‘Om,’ a spiritual symbol. The other beaches, compact between gigantic cliffs that project like delicate fingers into the sea, are Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise.

One can visit Gokarna any time round the year.

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