Travelogged # 13: Awesome Things You Should Do In Gokarna, Karnataka

Rise and shine love, it's time to kick away the monotony and chill like a boss in Gokarna! Don't you just wish life was a vacation, all paid? We'd probably succumb to the temptation if Mephistopheles ever came down on earth and asked me to sell our souls for a never-ending life of travel! Coming back to the point, Gokarna is a heaven on earth and we have compiled a list of all the awesome things that you definitely must do when in Gokarna. 

But before we get to the list of all the awesome things to do in Gokarna, let's take a brief look at what the hype is all about and why the hype is worth the attention:  

Gokarna: A Heaven On Earth 

Gokarna is primarily a temple and a pilgrimage town famous for its beautiful and rocky beaches. For a long period of time, it remained a spiritual destination owing to its religious significance for Hindus but it soon became better known for its stunning beaches that offered a better escape from the exploits of Goa or the ultra-lavish Auroville.    

Best Time To Visit: 

Gokarna weather is best during the Monsoon from June to August. After the monsoon, you may not enjoy the dry and sunny weather so plan your trip according to the Southwest Monsoon.

Things To Do: 

1. Enjoy Trekking On The Beach

Gokarna has a beautiful and laidback life to offer so if you are looking for something to give you peace, trekking on the beach should be on the top of your list of things to do in Gokarna. You will have to walk harder than usual if you really want to get that super charming piece of paradise. But if you keep walking, you will surely love the paradisiacal sunsets. You can roam around the Kudle Beach, Paradise Beach, Gokarna Beach, etc to revel in the glory of Gokarna.    

2. Chill On The Banana Boat

If you enjoy the adrenaline rush, you can relax and let the waves submerge you which is indeed an experience of a kind. If you always wanted a thrilling experience of your life, you can just let the ocean devour you and enjoy yourself as you come face to face with the stunning sea. You can go for Banana Boat at the Om Beach in Gokarna where you will easily find bookings option. If you have never done this before, make sure that follow the instructions given by the instructors.

3. Witness The Sparkling Phytoplanktons On Nirvana Beach

Take a beautiful night stroll on the Nirvana Beach and enjoy yourself around the bonfire while you dip your toes in the breathtaking sand with stunning and glowing phytoplankton. Counted among the best things to do in Gokarna, dipping your feet in phytoplankton will surely give you the relief you need from the monotony of life and the boredom of regular beach vacations.  

4. Camp Under The Starry Sky  

The Gokarna beaches are gorgeous and if you are in the mood for an awesome naturalistic vacation, head to the stellar beaches of Gokarna and just put up a camp and enjoy yourself while you revel in the beauty of the all-consuming nature.

5. Water Adventure Sports 

Gokarna’s the calmer version of Goa so if you are looking for something adventurous, you will definitely find the awesome experience with dolphin spotting, jet skiing, and kayaking, etc. Just make sure that you go with an instructor if you have never done any of those sports before.

Places To Visit: 

1. Gokarna Beach

The Gokarna beach is quite wide and long so if you enjoy walking and won’t mind the company of the pilgrims, you will love the walk. Shivaratri is usually the biggest festival in town so if you want to avoid the rush, better plan your trip offseason.

2. Kudle Beach

The Kudle beach is just one of the most beautiful places in Gokarna so if you are in the mood for some photography and looking for some solace from the hustle and bustle of the city, just head to the Kudle Beach. You will surely love the crowd-free environment that’s indeed a class apart from the mainstream Goa.

3. Om Beach

Located further away from the coast of Kudle, the Om beach is known for its shape. You can easily take an auto to the location and then walk downhill to reach the spot. Fret not if you see a huge crowd as the place is rather famous but you will surely enjoy your stay at the classy bamboo huts. Make sure that you don’t go there during the monsoon because the accommodation options are limited. 

How Can You Reach Gokarna?

By Road: You can take a bus ride from Bangalore and Goa which are the closest cities to Gokarna. After that, you can book a private cab to enjoy a comfortable ride to your hotel. 

By Train: You can take a train ride to Ankola (20 km) which has the nearest railway station to Gokarna. Connected by primary cities, you can easily travel to Ankola from nearby cities like Bangalore, Chennai, etc. 

By Air: The nearest airport is in Goa (Dabolim) which is easily connected by most prominent cities of India so you can fly in easily and then take a cab to your hotel. 

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FAQs 

Q: How did Gokarna get its name? 

A: Gokarna’s literal translation is “cow’s ear” and the place is known for its sacred significance. It’s situated between the river mouth of Gangavali and Agnashini and it got the name from the ear-shaped part where the two rivers meet. Legend says that apparently Lord Shiva once rose out of a cow’s ear which is also how Gokarna got its name.

Q: How to reach Gokarna from Hyderabad?

A: Hyderabad is around 700 Kms from Gokarna by Road. You can also fly to Gokarna from Hyderabad and then book the cab from the Dabolim airport to reach your destination.

Q: How to reach Gokarna from Delhi?  

A: You can book yourself a flight from Delhi and fly to the airport in Dabolim, Goa and then book a cab to the hotel or whatever destination you are planning to go to.  

Q: Where to stay in Gokarna? 

A: The most budget-friendly accommodation options are available around Kudle Beach. You can also find costlier accommodations with better amenities. There’s also a hostel zostel where you can book some budget friendly accommodation.

Q: Where else can you go from Gokarna?

A: You can visit the nearby locations like Goa, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, etc from Gokarna.