Coastal Karnataka:
An Eternal Wave of Bliss

Beyond the cosy hill stations, bustling megacities, awe-inspiring heritage sites, holy pilgrim centres and quaint towns, there is another Karnataka that is blessed by an incredibly beautiful coastline. This great stretch of sand and sea spans over three-hundred kilometres and makes for a diverse palette of culture, cuisine, people and scenery.

Here is a list of some of the most iconic beaches of Karnataka that you should check out on your next visit to the Land of Sandalwood. Read on to discover more:

Karwar

Did you know that Karwar’s serene beaches once inspired the beginning of one of the most celebrated literary careers? It is said that Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was moved to write his very first play Prakritir Prathishodha (Nature’s Revenge) while on a visit to Karwar.

Parasailing, scuba diving, speed boating and snorkelling are some of the activities you can engage in while on a visit to this beach town. Karwar also offers attractions for architecture lovers with the Sadashivgad Hill Fort, the 300-year-old Venkatrama Temple, a unique octagonal church and the Naganatha Temple, where an anthill is worshipped. Devbagh, Majali, Kodi Bagh and Tilmati are some of the major beaches around.

Kaup

Around twelve kilometres away from the temple town of Udupi is Kaup, a village nestling on the shores of Arabian sea. The long, sandy beach is an oasis of calm and the century-old lighthouse is a major tourist attraction. If you’re in the mood for a slightly offbeat beach getaway, Kaup is the place to be.

Mangaluru

Mangalore’s proximity to the Karnataka-Kerala border makes it a melting pot for many vibrant cultures. The port city is home to several pristine beaches like Tannirbhavi, Panambur, Surathkal and Ullal, where you can either spend a laid-back vacation or a more adventurous getaway involving activities like snorkelling and surfing. Mangaladevi Temple, Kadri Manjunatha Temple, Gokarnath Temple, Idgah Maidan Mosque, Madani Dargah, Holy Rosary Church, St. Aloysius Chapel and Shanthi Cathedral are some of the major centres of worship here.

The Light House Hill, which was built during the time of Hyder Ali and served as a watchtower, still stands tall as a major tourist attraction. The Srimanthi Bal Memorial Museum is another place worth visiting, and showcases archaeological artefacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, besides paintings from around the world. The century-old St. Aloysius College Museum features curios from around the world and is open to the general public.

Maravanthe

Another hidden gem in the crown of coastal Karnataka is the Maravanthe beach. On your journey through this picturesque coastal village, you’ll travel across a highway that divides the river Souparnika from the Arabian sea, thus making for a very unique view. In 2005, Maravanthe was named Karnataka’s most beautiful beach by the travel magazine Outlook Traveller. The coastal village is around 60 kilometres away from Udupi by road, and the nearest railway station is Kundapura