Karnataka Beaches

Karnataka's 320 km long coastline is ornamented with numerous fabulous beaches. The beaches located here are recognised by picturesque palm-casuarina groves, endless stretch of sands, brilliant sun and serene blue sea. Malpe, Marawanthe, Ullal, Bhatkal, Karwar are some of the excellent beaches for a holiday.

Did You Know?

Murudeshwar Beach is believed to have been blessed by Pranalinga of Mahabaleshwar thrown by
Ravana.

Malpe Beach

It is close to Udupi and Manipal. Being the unspoilt beach, it has large number of casuarina groves making visitors spell bound. This popular picnic spot is less frequently visited. The magnificent St Mary's Island located here is known for its pristine beauty and can be reached by boats. Close to Malpe one can see a Ullal beach which is known for the breathtaking views of the sunset. The island of Darya Bahadurgarh and the Balarama temple are also worth visit. The best time to explore this beach is between October to January. It is accessible by road and rail from Bangalore and Mangalore which is 66 kms from this beach.

Marawanthe Beach

This scenic beach is known for its alluring sunsets. Baindur is a lovely small town close to Marawanthe and must be visited. Ottinane and Belaka Theertha Falls near Baindur are captivating spots to see. Water sports operators here offer parasailing, water skiing, and wind surfing. This beach can be approached by rail or road from Mangalore which is 110 kms away from this beach.

Bhatkal Beach

The beach lies 126 kms from Karwar and 16 km from Bhatkal. It was the important port of the Vijayanagar Empire. The beach is known for the two exquisite temples namely the Jain Chadranatha Basadi, and Vijayanagar temple.

Karwar Beach

It is known for the gentle waves, silver sand and palm fringed beaches. It is an ideal destination to enjoy the thrills of the sea and sand. Main attractions of this beach include the Dandeli Game Park, the Sadashivgad Hill fort devoted to Goddess Durga, the Octagonal Church and the Naganatha temple. The Venkataramana temple located here is believed to be 300 years old and exhibits some fine ochre paintings. Along the Karwar coast one must visit the enchanting Devbagh Island Karwar beach can be reached by rail or road from Bangalore. Toursits are seen here mostly from September to May.

Kaup Beach

This lovely beach is 12 kms south of Udapi. The temples of Mariamma, ruined fort and 100 ft lighthouse draw tourists to this beach.

Murudeshwar Beach

It is located between Honnavar and Bhatkal and is around 180 kms from Mangalore. The beach is fringed with coconut and areca groves and is surrounded by sea to the west and the lush green hills to the east. Murudeshwar temple on the hillock near the shore is the prime attraction of the beach. One can also see a huge fort close to the temple and is believed to be renovated by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. The cock fight and the buffalo race are greatly enjoyed by the tourists.

Best Time to Visit

As summers are too hot and humid, it is best to walk through the fabulous beaches of Karnataka from August to March.

Leisure Activities on the Beaches

One can indulge in water sports like, parasailing,waterskiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin and seal-spotting. A boat cruise to nearby islands is always liked by the visitors here. The beaches are safe for swimming and visitors can also enjoy sun-bathe also.