Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory.

Tripoto
14th Oct 2017
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. 1/1 by Naveen Reddy
Group Pic.

Having only had the chance to trek mountains before, never experienced by the coast. The trail is about 30 km long stretch comprised of both beaches and hills from Gokarna to Kumta. The town of Gokarna, situated in Uttara Kannada district, sure brings thoughts of picturesque wanderings.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Booming with tourism, the pilgrimage center is more sought for its heavenly beaches now. While it is undoubtedly a holiday destination for people from around the world, it is also a paradise for those who like to explore the less-traversed coastal path. Gokarana is along this route, sandwiched between the Gangavalli and Aganashini river mouths. Our trail started from the Om beach to Kumta beach covering Half-moon, Paradise, Belekan, Bada, Holanagadde, Vannalli, and Apsarakonda beach near Honnavara are towards the south of Gokarna.

Beach Side home stay, freshened up here.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Gokarna to Honnavar, a 50-km coastal stretch, is popular for its breezy routes and pristine beaches, and one can spot many backpackers here getting sun-kissed and taking over the rocky cliffs on the shores of white sand beaches. Of late, the coastline has become extremely popular with trekkers, and there are many groups that organize treks here.

Started off towards Om Beach.

Photo of Om Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

The group of 12 people left Bengaluru on a Friday night organized by Travel my routes team, reaches Gokarna early on Saturday morning, freshen up at a beachside homestay and grabs breakfast from a nearby restaurant, packs lunch and starts off the trail. We taking place the trail at Om beach which is the base beach of the trek. It was the first time that I had experienced bliss in the solitude amidst the roar of the seas, sunny day and the giggling of the tourists. The beach is in shape of ॐ which embraces the spirituality of the place.

Enchanting Om Beach.

Photo of Om Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Once you reach the end of Om Beach, you have to begin ascend the peak. As you climb higher, you’ll get a great view of Om Beach. An hour-long rough and remote expedition landed us at the half moon beach, surrounded with hills and serves as a decent place to relax for have lunch and relaxation.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

The beach is not connected by road and is accessible only by hiking or boating. The way is quite adventurous with breathtaking 180 degree sea views, backed by the foothills of Western Ghats. The beach is small but yet exceptionally charming and quite isolated as compared to Om.

Half Moon Beach.

Photo of Half Moon Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Half Moon Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Continuing on our trek, it felt majestic to walk along the mountain trail where you can see the sea-waves crashing on the rocks nearby, prompting us all to jump to those. Paradise beach looked just like a private beach with only one shack there.

Ridge walk close by Paradise Beach.

Photo of Paradise Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Paradise Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Many times we had crossed boulders.

Photo of Paradise Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Paradise beach isn’t that much better than all the other beaches you pass through, but it is bigger than Half-Moon beach. The beach truly justifies its name and is one of the dirt free seashores I have ever been to.

Gang leader leading the kids.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Climbing up the hill next to the Paradise beach will lead to a small village called Belekhan. Just before the village road becomes wider, beach surrounded by hill on one side.

Just before Beleakan.

Photo of Belekan Beach, Tadadi Port, Kelaginstala, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Route was close to seashore and green for almost 1 km until we reach a muddy path ending in a stream which is flowing into the sea. Tadadi still around 2 kms from here, along the tarmacadam road.

Other side of Tadadi port.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Tadadi village is the place where river Aganashini empties itself into the Arabian Sea. One has to use ferryboat service to cross the backwaters of river Aganashini at tadadi minor port. The Tadadi village has a fishing harbor and many fishing communities thrive on the marine life that abounds in the region. We took snaps and was a pleasurable 8 minute ride to the other shore. The other side gave us a more sights of fishing activities - lots of ferries, some carrying bright yellow and oranges colored plastic balls tied together.

Photo of Belekan, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

By 5PM we were other side of Tadadi port, our tempo traveler waiting us to take towards Holanagadde village. He dropped us near Baada which has decent long beach surrounded by paddy fields other side. Spent some time here at the beach climbing atop the rocks, spiking our feet in the cracks to avoid slipping, all of us sat tight, holding hands, waiting for the waves to drown us. Hiking groups do not camp on the beach sides without prior permission nor do they trek on the reserved forest areas without permission.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Harsha made us continue the walk towards Holanagadde Beach, crossing which we took a left turn towards a village just after Bada Beach. Into the village, we moved towards our stay for the night, it was Holanagadde Ramajaneya Temple dedicated to lord Hanuman. We had been a little surprised at the prospect of staying in a temple but the hospitality of the priests and their families overwhelmed us all. It was amazing staying there, witnessing the evening and early morning aarti, being able to just sit in the temple compound, doing nothing and be at peace – ah,pure bliss!

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

That was me n Harsha on top of the boulder.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Next morning, after crossing Holanagadde beach, we covered a secluded beach called Kadle after mounting a hill-top which again blessed us with an awestruck 180 degree view of the beach on one side, paddy fields on the other and boulders in the sea on the third side.

Photo of Kumta, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Holangadde, Manikatta, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Holangadde, Manikatta, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

The next attraction was the long stretch of the picturesque Vanalli beach where the encounters with sea creatures like Star fish, Crabs and fish excited the eyes.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

I have to mention that the mountains were lush green with grass!! One could never imagine a grassland on a mountain near the rock-strewn shores of Arabian Sea. Beautiful things don’t come so easy and neither is the climb, on the sides of the path there is a lot of wild thorny plants.

Naveen Rawat.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy
Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

We had to find a way to trek throughout the path; not taking the ferry service. The next 2-3 kms of the trek were on the normal land and that short time away from the beach gaggle me crazy indeed– being a hardcore seawater fan.

Your's truly at the end.

Photo of Beaches around Gokarna – An Offbeat India’s Coastal Glory. by Naveen Reddy

Kumta Beach.

Photo of Vanalli, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

@Vannalli Beach view Point.

Photo of Vanalli, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Next we left for Kumta town for lunch then reached Apsara Konda beach and waterfalls near Honnavara by tempo traveler. Set in a small village named Apsarakonda, the waterfall possesses enthralling beauty. The scenic location of the waterfall is situated near the Western coast of Karnataka and has a pristine beach in its vicinity apart from a tall hill and a lovely pond. All these elements of nature are enough to mesmerize anyone visiting the place.

Apsarakonda falls.

Photo of Apsarakonda,Honnavar, Kelginoor, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

Paddy fields near Falls.

Photo of Apsarakonda,Honnavar, Kelginoor, Karnataka, India by Naveen Reddy

The previous beach experiences have only constituted playing in the water, some little running around or sitting on the beach for hours. But this trek made us walk along the beach, taking in every bit of nature at our own pace. An adventure-loving traveler, a sun-soaking tourist, a nature and culture enthusiast, the coasts of Uttar Kannada district offers something for everyone. This coastal stretch is a paradise and there are many unexplored beaches with no human footprints on them. While the trek is tiresome, it is a worthy experience to encounter clear and white sand beaches.