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Gokarna Beach, Karnataka

Also called as the Main Beach in Gokarna, Gokarna Beach is a long stretch of shoreline located in the edge of the temple town in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. The stunning beach is not very crowded and has gained immense popularity recently due to its serene stretch of shoreline contrasted by the lush green foliage. Beaches in Gokarna were rarely frequented by locals until the foreign tourists started to throng the place which led the locals to establish beach cafes and shacks, and which started the Hippie culture of Gokarna.

The beach is also visited by pilgrims who visit the town in Shiva temples along with Indian and foreign tourists. The adjoining muddy uphill roads covered with forests on both sides provide for more than a reason to got on a hike or family picnic. Gokarna’s beaches are scenic, secluded, clean, well-maintained, and great to swim or dip your feet in, as the water currents are not too high, given the calm weather and environment. The main beach, Gokarna beach also offer exciting activities and adventure experiences that adrenaline junkies and fun lovers will enjoy - such as scuba diving/snorkeling, speed boating, surfing, parasailing, jet skiing and some milder ones like banana boat rides too. The calming environment, chirping birds, stunning sunset, and soft sand makes this beach a must-visit place in Gokarna.

If you ever got fascinated by looking at the surfers freely riding the waves in style and want to take a try, then you can try your hand at surfing in Gokarna beach or Main beach. Due to its serene environment, low crowd, and three to five feet waves makes Gokarna beach a popular destination for surfing, and you don’t even have to worry about nudging or accidently crashing into someone while surfing.

The waves here are ideal for both advanced and beginner surfers and you can hire surfing equipment such as surf boards and wetsuits. The beach gets clean and high waves 50% of the time and the beach breaks from both left and right, making it a good surf stage. There are several surf schools in Gokarna and nearby areas which offer sessions for both beginners and trained surfers, which can last for a few hours to a few days according to your choice. The trainers are professionals, and you can learn surfing under their guidance without any worry.

All You Need to Know About Surfing at Gokarna Beach

Surf Schools:

  • Cocopelli– Located in Gokarna, Cocopelli is near to Gokarna Beach and has a guest house for visitors to stay while they learn the skill of surfing. It is one of the oldest surf schools in India with trained instructors for allkinds of water sports.
  • Price for lessons starts from Rs2000 per head

    Email – surfschool@cocopelli.org

  • Shaka Surf Club– One of the first surfing schools in India with the first female surf instructor, the instructors here are also known as surfing swamis and have been doing this since more than a decade. Located in Bengre village in Udupi, Karnataka, not very far from Murudeshwar, Shaka surf school has all you want as a surf beginner.
  • Prices start from Rs1800.

    Email – theshakasurfclub@gmail.com

  • Mulki Indica Surf School– Located just outside of Mangalore, Mulki Indica school offers training on several water sports and has a guest house as well. All the instructors are professionals are the equipment are also provided. It is a few hours rides from Gokarna but you can take session from Mulki school and go to Gokarna beach to enjoy surfing once you are ready.
  • Prices for lessons start from Rs2000 per head.

    Email – info@indicasurfschool.com

Things to Remember:

We all know that keeping rational while enjoying such a thrilling activity can be a little challenging, but if you are planning to register yourself for a surfing lesson or plan to go surfing, here are some things to remember:

  • It is mandatory to know basic pool swimming
  • It is a water sports and requires only a minimum degree of physical fitness
  • Inform your instructor about any kind of medical conditions or allergies prior to your lesson
  • Avoid alcohol intake before or during surfing
  • Operate the rental equipment with care

When to Visit Gokarna Beach for Surfing

The best wind direction here is from the east northeast and the best swell direction is from the southwest. Waves at Gokarna beach break from both left and right making a good surf stage. The best time to go surfing here with consistent clean waves is during winter, specifically in November. Surfable clean waves are found 53% of the time in November while the others time the waves are low which are still suitable for beginners.

Restaurants near Gokarna Beach

Where to eat at Gokarna Beach? Well, there are many cafes and beach shacks in and around Gokarna beach which serves delectable south Indian cuisine with lip-smacking seafood. Some of the best restaurants and cafes near Gokarna beach are:

  • Marine Uana Café
  • Mantra Café Gokarna
  • Café Nistara
  • Half-Way House Food Point
  • Chez Christophe

How to Reach
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Dabolim airport in Goa at 150km away. From there, buses are available to Gokarna or direct cab can be booked to Gokarna beach.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is Gokarna Road at 10km but it is not connected with all cities. The next station Ankola is at 20km from Gokarna and is connected to most neighboring cities and major cities as well.
  • By Road: Gokarna is well-connected by road with nearby cities. Direct buses from nearby cities like Goa, Mangalore, Bangalore are available, or you can hire a taxi from neighboring cities for a seamless journey.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Q1. Why is Gokarnabeach famous?

Gokarna beach is famous for its serene ambiance and a plethora of adventure activities like water sports without being too crowdy.

Q2. Is there surfing in Gokarna?

Yes, surfing is one of the top activities to do in Gokarna Beach. The long beach offers perfect waves for beginners which are safe and its also less crowdy.

Q4. Which is the main beach in Gokarna?

Gokarna Beach is the main beach here which is also near to several temples.

Q5. Is Gokarna beach open at night?

Yes you can go to Gokarna beach at night and stay at beach shacks or tents.

Q6. When to go in Gokarna?

The best time to visit Gokarna is during winters from October to February which is the peak season as the weather is pleasant and water sports can be enjoyed.

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