Gokarna has been long known as the Temple town of Karnataka. The name translates to ‘Cow’s Ear’ in Sanskrit. Gokarna is gifted with some of the picturesque beaches of India because of its location along the southwestern coast of India overlooking the Arabian Sea. Though a popular Temple town of south India, it was hidden from most tourists until recently. Currently the town has been gaining popularity among people looking for offbeat destinations, scantily populated beaches and among adventure lovers. The beaches of Gokarna stands out from most Indian beaches because of its lush green hills stretched along the white sand coast.
Gokarna can also be chosen as an alternative to Goa if you are looking for pristine tropical beaches minus the huge tourist influx!
Gokarna by Road
- If you are based in Karnataka, you will get overnight buses connecting from Bangalore, Mangalore, Udupi. There are even bus services running from Goa to Gokarna.
- One can also plan to hire a personal taxi from these cities to drive down directly to Gokarna.
Gokarna by Train
- There is a railway station known as the Gokarna Road around 8 kilometers from the town but very few trains pass through it. Only the Matsyagandha express goes via Gokarna.
- The other nearest railway station to Gokarna are Kumta (31 kilometers from Gokarna) and Ankola (20 kilometers from Gokarna).
Gokarna by Flight
There is no airport to reach Gokarna directly. Due to its proximity and accessibility to Goa, one can opt to fly down to Dabolim International Airport in Goa and hire a taxi to Gokarna. The distance from the airport in Goa to Gokarna is 106 kilometers.
- Being a tropical coastal town, the place remains warm and humid throughout the year. The winter months are pleasant and less humid.
- October to March is the best time to visit Gokarna. Late November to early Feb sees maximum tourists here.
- Summers from March to June are extremely hot and humid while the monsoons from July to September may bring frequent showers through the day.
1) Beach hopping trek in Gokarna
The beaches around Gokarna are lined by lush green hills. So reaching these beaches may require some trekking effort. But for an adventure enthusiast this is a great opportunity to trek along these hilly trails and explore every beach connected on these trails. Around five beaches can be accessed on this trail namely Gokarna beach, Kudle beach, OM beach, Half Moon beach and Paradise beach. This could be a day long excursion covering most Gokarna places to visit.
2) Water sports and adventures
If the sight of water reminds you of all the fun filled activities around water, Gokarna has you covered. You can opt for banana boat rides, kayaking, exploring through caves, parasailing, swimming and diving are some of the water sports activities to include in your Gokarna itinerary.
3) Camping at the beach
Many of us love to witness those mesmerizing sunset views at beach destinations, but how about an experience of waking up to the sounds of waves! Camping at the beach is one such memorable experience to take back with you. You can sing through the night around a campfire and then retire for the night, lying on the warm sand, gazing at the starry sky.
4) Visit the Temples of Gokarna
Known as the Kashi of South India i.e. Dakshin Kashi, Gokarna has many historical and mythological stories around its many temples. Not only the devotees, but a seeker of mythology, traditional folklore and architecture can include a few temple visits in the itinerary.
The Mahabaleshwar temple is noteworthy of its Dravidian architecture and its Shiva Linga known as the Atmalingam located in the square Saligrama Peetha. Mahashivratri, a Hindu festival is celebrated with grandeur through February and March during which a huge chariot is taken around the town.
The Mahaganapati Temple and the Kotiteertha, a man-made water tank are also of huge significance among the pilgrims.
5) Satisfy the Foodie in you
The coastal town can awaken the foodie within you with its local South Indian and Konkani cuisine and the sea food variety spread. International cuisines like Italian and Continental served in its cafes also draw many tourists through the day. There are restaurants along the beach where you can enjoy a candlelight dinner with a sunset view of the sea. Cafe 1987, Ganga Cafe, Chef Christophe, Namaste Cafe are listed among the top few cafes in Gokarna.
6) Flea market and Souvenirs
Like Goa, with the increasing influx of tourists, many flea markets have come up along the beaches of Gokarnal. There are small markets around the temple complexes as well. You can pick some colourful trinkets, earrings, sea shell decors as souvenirs from your vacation.
- You can opt for high end luxury resorts by the sea or even boutique hotels with top amenities.
- However if you are a budget traveller, there are many hostel options with beds ranging from as low as INR 400 to INR 1000. Rest assured, you will get a view of the beautiful sea through your window.
- Beautiful local homestays are available for the ones looking for authentic experiences.
- If your idea of a holiday is some adventure, you can book a night camp at the beach.
You can explore Gokarna over 2 to 3 days trip but if you have some more days in hand, some nearby locations can be included in your Gokarna tour packages.
- Yana Caves – Located at a distance of 52 kilometers from Gokarna, Yana lies in Kumta village of North Karnataka. It is visited for its historic temples situated in the dark limestone rock structures of the western ghats.
- Mirjan Fort – A 16th century fort of Nawayath Sultanate is known for its history and natural greenery all across the walls of the fort. The green spread gives an appealing view. This fort is located only 11 kilometers from Gokarna.
- Murudeshwara – Famous for its large Shiva statue overlooking the sea, Murudeshwara is located at a distance of 78 kilometers from Gokarna. A temple, the Shiva statue and the Murudeshwar beach are the main attractions here.
