There is a surreal sense of calm in all the beaches in Gokarna. The pristine turquoise blue waters, amazing waves, and serene palm trees make Gokarna an ideal destination for Holiday goers in India as the sandy beaches are an ideal spot for any tourist to relax, rejuvenate and refresh themselves. Lying on the Konak coastline, the beaches of Gokarna are perfect for a shameless holiday full of relaxation and rejuvenation, be it for nature lovers, adventure junkies, or even for some soul seeking solitude from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the metro cities.
There is a lot that one can do on the beaches of Gokarna, from a simple walk to trekking, and other adventure activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, and much more. Moreover, for the foodies, there are several food stalls at these amazing beaches that offer sumptuous Konkani food that you can indulge in. Some of the most common dishes to enjoy here are Idli – Dosa, Seafood Lasagna, Prawn Pizza, and Iced Nutella among others.
The ideal place to stay in Gokarna is at Red Earth Gokarna, which is a recluse for you to spend your time while resting in Gokarna. It lies between craggy cliffs eroded by the passionate embrace of the sea for aeons, with the soft white sand of pristine beach spawned by this love affair, verdancy marking the shoreline, and high cliffs with the wind whistling through the trees and vines. This wonderful palace is perched on the cliff, a short drive away from the bustling towns of Gokarna and Ankola, Red Earth is blanketed in the spirit of Konkan, a curious and unique region stretching from Maharashtra in the North to upper reaches of Malabar Kerala, transgressing all borders. Immense natural beauty, important pilgrimage, and spiritual center, a cultural and culinary whirlwind with influences from across the globe, Gokarna is a year-round destination for all.
So with that in mind, here’s a list of Gokarna’s most famous beaches!
Gokarna Beach – This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Gokarna and it recently became even more known due to it being a surfing site. It is also very famous for the scenic trekking excursion that one can take on Gokarna beach. The beach is very close to the Mahabaleshwara temple, the Gokarna beach is also known as the place where people first come to take a dip before heading to the holy temple. One can also visit the other beaches of the region of Gokarna that are near this beach such as Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach as well as Kudle beach from this location. The Gokarna beach gives exceptionally magnificent views of the surrounding hillocks and the various adventure sports that one can indulge in at this beach are surfing, jet skiing, snorkeling as well as trekking.
Image Credits: Gokarna Tourism India
Om Beach – The Om Beach is shaped in such a way that it resembles the auspicious symbol ‘Om’ in the Devanagari script and is named after it. This is one of the most happening and pristine beaches with turquoise waters in Gokarna as there are a plethora of water sports taking place in this region and various other activities that people enjoy and cherish. From the ever bumpy banana ride to the jet ski ride and from the beachside trekking to the dolphin spotting in the middle of the sea from the higher hilly terrains, Om beach is spot on and is the place to be in Gokarna. The beach can be enjoyed between the two coves that make the shape of Om which are loaded with cafes, huts, and shacks for you to relax and rejuvenate yourself.
Half Moon Beach – Beaches are exceptionally awesome but a beach with a thick and lush jungle overlooking an infinitely long stretch of sand overlooking the Arabian Sea is even more awesome. The half-moon beach is even more amazing if you consider the incredible experiences such as swimming, kayaking, paddle boat riding, trekking, yoga and camping. The half-moon beach is the beach which you can just walk up to and cover the other five famous beaches of Gokarna in a scenic and vivid trek. The beach derives its name from a Half Moon because it resembles a half-moon in shape.
Kudle beach – Another really famous beach in Gokarna is Kudle beach. It is an extremely long stretch of fine sand and blue sea which is quite isolated and is perfect for those looking for solitude and serenity. Located away from the busy tourist areas of Gokarna, Kudle beach is mostly frequented by foreign tourists who are looking for more isolation and peace instead of the crowded beaches. Best known as the area for diving and swimming, Kudle beach is situated very close to Om Beach as well as Gokarna beach. This beach is also a blessing in disguise for nature enthusiasts and is one of the best beaches if you want to spend some time alone or with your loved ones while you want to spend some precious time with your loved ones.
Image Credits: Gokarna Tourism India
Paradise beach – This beach is fondly known as the ‘Full Moon’ beach and it very aptly justifies its name and one needs to take a motorboat ride from Om beach or half-moon beach to reach this pristine beach. Alternatively, one can reach this beach by trekking from the half-moon beach. Paradise beach stretches over one hundred and fifty meters in length and is ideal for swimming and camping. Around seventy percent of the beach is covered in rocks and this makes Paradise beach an ideal spot for photography and photographers.
Nirvana beach – The entrancing environs of Nirvana beach make you feel like you are in an unreal setting or in other words, in Nirvana. The beach has a very long shoreline and you hardly find fellow travelers around as it is a little off the beaten. If you are traveling to Nirvana beach, you are suggested to carry food and water as there are no such facilities. Swimming is a great sport to indulge in but due to the absence of lifeguards and much civilization, you must avoid going deep as the ocean has strong currents in this region of Gokarna.
Image Credits: Gokarna Tourism India
Baada beach – Baada beach is another amazing beach for peace and serenity in Gokarna. This beach falls while walking down the trail from Kirki to Gokarna. It is the cleanest beach in Gokarna, also because it is located remotely around ten kilometers away from the Kumta bus stand. The beach has some boulders in the middle and is encircled by hillocks on two sides. While you stroll around, it feels like a private beach built especially for yourself as it is crowd-free for as far as you can see with some huts and cottages outlying the shore.
Small Hell Beach – The Small Hell Beach is one of the few Beaches in Gokarna where you can not only trek and swim but also go camping. It is one of the cleanest and most idyllic beaches in town, which should definitely be on your list of places to visit if you are in Gokarna. Offering spectacular scenes of the huge expanse of golden sand and the stunning and calm ultramarine water, the Small Hell Beach is a natural marvel that seems just out of a fairy-tale. The beach is completely untouched and unspoiled, making it even more beautiful and mysterious. You can also visit the Small Hell Cliff from here, which overlooks the picturesque beach, best for those who wish to indulge in nature photography.
Image Credits: Gokarna Tourism India
Belekan beach – Belekan Beach is one of the most remote Gokarna Beaches. To reach here, you can take a boat ride from Gokarna Beach. Moreover, you can also spot dolphins from this beach if you get lucky. Located close to Moonlight Beach, Belekan Beach is one of the most tranquil spots in all of Gokarna. From boating to indulging in beach sports like volleyball and frisbee, there are a lot of fun activities you can partake in at Belekan Beach. There is one thing you need to know about this beach though. Since there are not many people here, boating is the only mode of transportation to this beach. Therefore, it is advisable to take the boat driver’s contact details to avoid getting stranded on the beach all alone.
Alvekodi beach – The Alvekodi beach is a place of absolute marvel with glittering sand, swift waves, and endless greenery on one side and endless Arabian seascape on the other side. Walkthrough the paddy, groundnuts, onions, and other vegetable fields to trace down the path to this captivating beach. Forming an integral part of the Alvekodi village, Alvekodi is one of the beaches in Gokarna which you can afford to miss.
