Beaches of Karnataka

Karnataka’s town of Kasargod in Uttar Kannada is an excellent base for exploring several beach hubs along the coast. Mangalore and Udupi are also great for exploring their nearby beaches which offer popular watersports and— surfing.

BLUE FLAG BEACHES

Kasarkod Beach
What enhances visitor experiences at Kasargod Beach is not just its picture-postcard prettiness, but also the coveted Blue Flag Certification. Kasargod Beach, in fact, ranks, high amongst the few beaches here in India which are Blue-Flag-acclaimed

Blue Flag certification, for the unaware, is a prestigious international certification from the Blue Flag Global Organization, which has its base in Copenhagen, Denmark. Having this certification ensures that visitors can visit a safe and clean beach.  Sustained efforts have to be made by multiple stakeholders including the local communities to meet 33 stringent criteria that encompass quality, environmental information and education, safety, service, and facilities.

Located 5km away from Honnavar in Uttara Kannada, Kasargod Beach also known now as Eco Beach, has done Karnataka proud by being a big draw for both domestic and foreign visitors looking for an uncrowded beach experience. The melding of the aquamarine waters with the vast stretch of pristine white sands is an alluring vignette for many selfie moments. If you want a swim head only for the designated safe spot for this activity.  Some water sports on offer are jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides. You can also pop into the old lighthouse to enjoy views of this glorious setting.

Other diversions offered here are boat rides along a mangrove-lined waterway, which offers the bonus of good bird-watching experiences. You can also go island spotting on the river Sharavathi which forms an estuary before debouching into the waters of the Arabian Sea. Adventure enthusiasts can head out by boat to the mouldering remnants of the 16th-century Basavaraja Durga Fort. Taxi rides out of Honnavar are available for day trips to the beach. Mangaluru International Airport is 180 km away

Padubidri Beach

Located near the popular town of Udupi, Padubidri Beach stands tall amongst the eight beaches in India to have earned the Blue Flag certification. Like Kasargod Beach, Padubidri also features a solid waste management plant, grey water treatment plant, seating arrangements, clean drinking water, washroom and changing room, a bathing facility disabled-friendly and general toilets, parking facilities, solar power plants and solar lighting.

Visitors can enjoy a rollicking time indulging in a range of water sports on this exceptionally clean beach. The pop-up eateries and itinerant vendors offer unique ‘insta’ moments for immersive indulgences in Padubidri’s offerings for all age groups. While the old folk rest under the shadows of the casuarina palms watching children make sand castles, the youth battalion can be found to have a ball wetting their feet or joining in in an impromptu game of beach volleyball.  A walk in the moonlight by the shoreline under a blaze of stars is just the ticket to wrap up a happy fun-filled day at the beach. Mercifully peaceful, bereft of the day crowds it’s one of the best takeaways from this gorgeous beach.

AROUND KASARGOD

Murudeshwar Beach
A drive 20km away from Kasargod brings you to the picturesque setting of Murudeshwar, famous for its Shiva Temple and the pretty beachfront.

Karwar Beach and Devbagh
The serene town of Karwar, 50km away from Kasargod, is an excellent base for explorations of the twin beaches—Karwar Beach and Devbagh Beach. Karawar Beach which also goes by the name of Rabindranath Tagore Beach is still popular for its scenic beauty, though swimming is not advised. Instead, for water sports head for the nearby Aligadda Beach or the ‘Mackerel Coast’. Snorkelling and scuba diving are also offered here and at Devbagh.

Tilmati Beach
Situated about 12km away from Karwar, this beach is unique for being Karnataka’s rare ‘Black Beach’. The dark sand here is a reminder of roasted black sesame seeds (til or tillu). The black sand is the result of the surf crashing into the black granite rocks edging the waterline. Access to the beach is through a forested trail. Carry water and snacks to this quiet spot which doesn’t get too many visitors for now. Chat up the local fisherman going about their daily business in this secluded beach area. Back in the day, it lay along the lively route of the trade vessels during colonial rule and when the Marthas held sway in the region. It was swept away into oblivion with the passing of their heyday.

Gokarna Beaches

Its lively setting is within easy driving time from Kasagod, just 55 km away. Three lovely beaches are up for exploration, each with its own distinctive experience —Om Beach, Kudle Beach, and Half Moon Beach. Indulge yourself in thrilling activities like parasailing, banana boat rides and snorkelling off Om and Kudle Beach. Paradise and Half Moon beaches are less crowded or developed so do carry essentials with you. You can hike it there or opt for a boat ride to access them.

Kumta Beach
Drive away for about 30 km towards the coastal town of Kumta to discover it’s a pretty uncrowded beach, once a leisure space mostly for the locals because of the shallow waters. Eateries and hotels crowd the town so you can also use it as a base for quick visits to nearby spots like Yana Caves 28 km away.

AROUND MANGALORE

Mangalore Beachcombing

One of the liveliest port cities from the times of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, Mangalore has a long history in shipbuilding, which does interest quite a few visitors heading for its beaches.

While wending your way to the beautiful, secluded setting of Thannirbhavi Beach stop by Sultan Battery, once an important naval arsenal base for Tipu Sultan. This is where you’ll be catching a boat ride to the beach.

The watch tower of Sultan Battery here would have many stories to tell of the heyday of Tipu Sultan’s conquering days, though now it’s a moss-covered lonely sentinel, which once helped repel the British warships from drawing near the Gurupura River 5km away from Mangalore.

Thannirbhavi Beach offers a host of water sports and scenic views at sunrise and sunset.

Surathkal Beach
This is a lovely tranquil sand and sea retreat, on the south Kanara coast, just 15km away from Mangalore head for the old Surathkal lighthouse to enjoy the spectacular seascapes of fishing boats and cloudless skies. The sunrises and sunsets are mind-blowing. Get your fill of yummy seafood and nature’s glorious vistas.

SURF’S UP

Sasihithlu Beach

When the waters of the Shambhavi and Nandini rivers meet the Arabian Sea it’s more than a confluence of waterbodies. Magic is created by the gorgeous panoramas of this superb setting of Sasihithlu Beach.

Munda Island here becomes a haven for mangrove-loving avifauna. But it’s the surf that draws in the surfing community arriving joyfully to participate in the Karnataka Surfing Festival. It recently hosted the 4th edition of the Indian Open of Surfing, the official national championship of the Surfing Federation of India. The Indian Open of Surfing, hosted by Mantra Surf Club, is supported by Karnataka Tourism 

Mulki Beach
Just 25km away from Mangalore lies India’s surfing paradise.  Surfing and dolphin-spotting keep you riveted to the charms of Mulki Beach. Even beginners can try their hand at surfing in the 3Ft -high waves in these rock-free waters. Mornings are best as that’s when you get the ideal surf conditions in these friendly waters, not known for having monster waves. Jack Hebner or the Surfing Swami set up India’s first surfing club here in Mulki in 2004 by the name of the Mantra Surf Club. You can make bookings at surfingindia.net/mantra-surf-club/ Overnights can be spent at the Ashram Surf Retreat here

AROUND UDUPI

Malpe Beach
About 6km away from Udupi town it’s long been a favourite with locals and itinerant visitors. Enjoy snacks at the pop-up beach stalls before making your way to the quiet beachhead of St. Mary’s Island, set upon a rocky island, one of the four that mark this area, and the most frequented. Malpe Beach offers water sports like parasailing and water scooter rides—and days of relaxation and laziness just soaking up the beach scene.

Kaup Beach
A hot favourite with locals and visitors it’s always action-packed. So, this is the place to be if you love a lively buzz on a beach holiday. To the lighthouse, you must go to enjoy the spectacular panoramas of this scenic spot. There are plenty of stay options, fairly inexpensive, around the beach area.

Marwanthe Beach
This spectacular beach destination is just 54km away from Udupi but offers its very own brand of charm and delights as it revels in brilliant views of the Arabian Sea and the lovely Suparnika River. You might want to take a boat ride to the island of village Padukone, from where Hindi cine star Deepika Padukone and her famous father Prakash Padukone, India’s badminton champ of yesteryears, hail.