Things to Do in Gokarna for a Peaceful Beachside Vacation

A Shiva Linga known as the Atmalinga is worshipped in this Mahabaleshwar temple. Built using white granite, it is a classic example of the beauty of Dravidian architecture. A 1500 years old carved stone Lord Shiva idol in the standing position represents the main deity. The temple is a revered place of worship and a pilgrim spot of the Hindus but it attracts tourists alike owing to its stunning architecture and vibe. Visiting the temple is one of the best things to do in Gokarna.

Om beach is a wonderful beach located in the town of Gokarna. One can bask in the glory and serenity of the picturesque surroundings here. Its captivating beauty and pristine water lashing on the beach is a source of tranquillity for all the visitors. Famous for being naturally shaped like the auspicious symbol Om, Om beach attracts tourists round the year. There is also a bunch of fun water sports activities available on the Om Beach, including speedboats, surfing etc. Visitors can even enjoy boating here. Visiting here is one of the top things to do in Gokarna.

Gokarna is an ideal destination for adventure seekers as well those want a break from the chaos of everyday life. Travellers have the option of simply strolling down the beautiful serene beaches or participating in the myriad water sports that it has to offer. The popular water sports are parasailing, banana boat ride and jet-skiing. If you an adventure lover, trying these water sports should definitely be there on your list of things to do in Gokarna.

Coddled in nature's lap, the pristine beaches of Gokarna are already an engrossing sight, add to that the thrill and excitement of a trek and the picture is complete. The 8km trekking activity takes over 7 hours and starts from Bangalore under the guide of a qualified instructor. The joy of this fascinating journey through the lush and dense tropical forests is guaranteed to last a lifetime. Make sure to put this in your bucket list of things to do in Gokarna.

Kudle Beach is one of the many beaches of Gokarna, situated only a few minutes' walk from Gokarna Beach or the Om Beach. The beach is a paradise for those who love peace and quietude while they travel. A complete recluse, this beach offers the most silent and serene atmosphere to enjoy a sunset, a walk along the shore or simply to sit and observe the never-ceasing tides. Many local people prefer this beach for a morning or evening walk or practising yoga, as the Kudle beach is not invaded by large groups of tourists and as a result, has very little crowd and quite noiseless. Be sure to include visiting this beach in your list of top things to do in Gokarna.

Gokarna beach is several kilometres long and is situated at the edge of Gokarna which is a quaint pilgrim town in Karnataka. It has recently gained popularity as a go - to beach destination owing to its wonderful stretches of sand and pristine locations. Gokarna beaches were hardly used by the locals until foreign tourists started thronging the seaside. Many enterprising locals started stores, restaurants and now fully fledged resorts cater to the tourists. The beautiful beach is a much loved attraction and visiting here is one of the prime things to do in Gokarna, both by the travellers and the city dwellers.

Namaste Cafe is one of the most picturesque cafes in Gokarna offering finger licking delicious food, situated right on the Om Beach. If you are in Gokarna, this place is a must-visit. Situated at one end of the beach, the cafe has a picture perfect setting and tasting the delicious food here with a view is one of the best things to do in Gokarna.

In the Sahyadri Hills of North Karnataka, is located a quaint hills station with beauty that casts a spell and hills to appeal to the direst trekkers. Tucked in between one of the richest biodiversity centers of the world, Yana is a small hill station with immense beauty enough to captivate any soul that lays eyes on it. A small village located just 46 kms from Gokarna; Yana is famous as a center of adventure, wildlife and religion hence proving to be the perfect getaway destination. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you should make sure to put trekking at Yana, under your top things to do in Gokarna.

Half Moon Beach is a small beach situated in Gokarna. It is separated from the Om Beach by a cliff from where tourists are bound to get an amazing view of the Arabian Sea. Numerous village huts in the classical Indian style can be spotted lined up by the beach giving it a rather traditional and homely touch altogether. The beach got its name from the striking resemblance that it exhibits with a half moon. Away from the civilization and into the arms of nature, this is the best place to spend time at while looking at the caves and gazing at the sky lit with stars. Make sure to visit this beach and to put it under your bucket list of things to do in Gokarna.

Shopping for the local specialties and taking back souvenirs is definitely among the top most things to do in Gokarna when one goes on a holiday. Shopping in Gokarna is an absolute delight, and one can get amazing stuff at rock bottom prices if they're well-versed in the art of bargaining. You can buy souvenirs like brass lamps, prayer beads, picture frames of Gods and Goddesses, incense sticks and other religious items. Other than this, you can also pick up some decorative items or jewelry made from seashells. Most of the street stalls sell these items.

A man made tank, Koti Tirtha is considered to be extremely sacred and is used for ritual bathing and immersing idols. The tank is surrounded by temples on all sides. It is a Hindu religious site and is popular among both the locals and the tourists.

The fourth beach lying across the coast of Gokarna Town, Paradise Beach is also well-known by the name of 'Full Moon Beach'. Located in the state of Karnataka, the Paradise Beach is about 150 meters in length and out of this almost seventy percent of the beach is entirely covered in rocks. The rest of the beach is adorned with clean white sand all over. Not much water sports are available here but swimming in the calm waters here is a great way to refresh your mind and body. The serene environment of the beach offers a great opportunity to spend some time in nature's lap and find solace. Visiting here is one of the topmost things to do in Gokarna.

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple is located near the Mahabaleshwara temple and quite popular among pilgrims visiting Gokarna. As per the legend of Lord Shiva's blessings, visitors are supposed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha before visiting the Mahabaleshwara temple.

Located on the banks of River Aghanashini, Mirjan Fort is a royal reminder of our glorious history. It is situated about 11 km from the town of Kumta in Karnataka and is spread over an area of 4.1 hectares. The fort is also believed to be a site for many past battles in 16th and 17th Century and was functional till 1785. Later, the British captured this fort and used it for their armoury. It is embellished with remarkable architecture of the bygone era, such as canals, moats, secret passageways and various other considerations to fortify its grounds. The splendid fort truly gives the impression of a fairytale castle all covered with grass and overgrowth.

Located in Karnataka, this magnificent shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple boasts of the second highest statue of Lord Shiva in the world, and the sheer magnanimity of the statue will fill you with a sense of awe. This temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. The main temple's entrance, also called the 'gopura' stands at 123 feet and you can witness the breathtaking view of the Shiva statue from the top of the gopura.

Also known as the 'Pigeon Island', Netrani Island in Murudeshwar is located off the coast of Karnataka. Views from above give this island the appearance of being heart-shaped. Rising above the tranquil and azure waters of the Arabian Sea, this heart-shaped island is counted as one of the best sites for scuba diving. This island is a famous tourist spot and apopular pilgrimage town with silvery sand and the western ghats as a backdrop.

There are beginners as well as intermediate courses for the residents of Namaste Yoga Farm, Gokarna. Although not mandatory to attend the Yoga and meditation sessions, the hotel strongly urges its inmates to at least consider attending the breathing and pre-meditation lessons. 

Beach hopping is one of the main reasons why tourists visit Gokarna. The town has five beaches, and each one has a unique vibe. Lined with beach shacks and cafes, one can never-not splurge on delicious seafood when visiting these beaches. Om beach, Half-moon beach, Paradise beach, and Kudle beach, are the main attractions