Gokarna

December, 2018

If I have to draw an analogy, I would say Gokarna is Goa minus the crowd. While it is gaining popularity for its beaches, Gokarna town also has religious significance. My first visit was in November 2017 and I knew I would come back here again, especially for the hike that connects the different beaches.

The Beaches

The beaches in Gokarna are separated by cliffs which makes it an ideal place for a hike with amazing views.

Kudle Beach and Om Beach are the two beaches best connected by road which also makes them more crowded than the others. Other beaches are relatively smaller and have limited options in terms of food also. You should plan to stay around these beaches if you are not camping. I stayed at the Gokarna International Beach Resort on Kudle beach the last time and it is a decent property. Also, have heard great reviews about Zostel (overlooking Kudle beach) and Namaste Cafe Hotel (Om Beach).

Fun fact – Om Beach is called so because its shape resembles the Om symbol.

Other beaches, namely Half Moon Beach, Small Hell Beach and Paradise Beach are tiny, very clean and remote. They do not have direct connectivity by road and you need to hike through the cliffs to reach. They have limited to no food options but I would still say they are ideal for camping. After all, to be be able to wake up to a sunrise on a deserted beach is not something we get to live everyday. Having camped at Paradise Beach, I have to say it was an experience of a lifetime.

Gokarna is gaining popularity for its beaches, this town also has religious significance for example Gokarna Beach is closer to the main town and temple. Other beaches are unspoilt and have a very rustic charm.

Musts on your to-do list

The hike. As if I have not mentioned it enough already 😛 . I’ll let the pictures do the talking here. Again, my photography skills do not do justice to it but this is all I got! Transport in Gokarna is anyway over-priced and walking around is the best way to explore.

Gokarna is ideal to give beach camping a shot. It is safe, clean and very beautiful.

Try out new cafes. My favorite is Namaste Cafe at the Om Beach. If you are lucky enough to not find it crowded, it has great food served with an even better view.

Try yoga at the beach.
You could also checkout some other places around Gokarna like the Vibhuti Falls, Yana Caves and Scuba Diving at Murudeshwar. I have been to Vibhuti Falls and absolutely loved it particularly because I am a fan of waterfalls where you are allowed to jump in.

Paradise Beach has bio-luminescent phytoplankton which gives the beach a glowing look in the dark. May you be lucky enough to experience it 🙂 .

Do nothing. Just laze around. Well, thats important too!

How to reach Gokarna

This is the toughest part. Gokarna is a small town along the western coast and is not so well connected by direct trains or over-night sleeper buses. While this definitely preserves the beauty of the place, it is a task to reach Gokarna without wasting unnecessary time traveling. Couple of options that I have explored are –