The beautiful Sandy beach backed by wispy fir trees stretches for miles in both directions. It’s a deservedly popular place for a stroll, particularly in the evening when families come out to watch the sunset. The strong undertow makes swimming difficult here and at times un safe.
Ullal is a silvery beach commanding breathtaking views of the sunset, especially, when viewed through the casuarinas groves. Just 5 kms from Mangalore, Ullal is a lovely spot for .
those seeking holiday by the sea With its picturesque casuarina groves, beach cottages and a swimming pool one can spend tranquil hours seeking peace in this paradise. Walk on its beach, and see only your footprints in the sand.
Location : - 5 Km from Mangalore city.
Hotels in Mangalore :- Taj Manjarun, Summer Sands Beach Resort, Hotel Pooja International, Moti Mahal, Hotel Mangalore International, Hotel Pentagon, The Prestige, Hotel Ayodhya, Hotel Kavitha Residency , Madkekar Resorts India, Hotel Indraprasta, Hotel Woodlands, Hotel Srinivas, Hotel Shaan Plaza, Hotel Anugraha Lodge, Surya Hotel, Ganesh Mahal, Vasantha Mahal, Hotel Manorama. HolidayHouse Resort, Hotel Residency Park, Hotel Blue Star, Hotel Rama, Aiswarya Lodge, The Viceroy, Keerthi Lodge, Hotel Rajesh.
THE DEVBAGH BEACH
Dev Bagh could have been a designer beach: designed for effortless unwinding. A gentle, secluded island totally cut off from the world. From the Karwar coast, speedboat across an estuary to a casuarina-whispering island. Walk around, laze in a casuarina grove, lie in a hammock, play beach volleyball, or just take a swim in the waters. Live in a bark-clad, thatched, cottage raised on stilts. Dine on a starlit strand while the sea softly whispers its eternal serenade. And that's just the beginning.
Come morning, don your swimming gear and head for a tiny secluded cove on Lady's Island where even non-swimmers are encouraged to snorkel, wearing life- jackets. Experience first hand the submarine life beneath the sparkling azure waters. Follow a pod of dolphins gamboling in the water…
If Devbagh doesn't change your perspective of life, nothing will! The Devbagh Beach is a must for beach lovers. Karwar also has a port protected from harsh winds by 5 islands. October - May is the best period to visit this pace.
Location : - 105 Km from Panaji and 10 km from south Gao border.
Nearest Hotels : - Devbagh Beach Resort at Karwar, Hotel Bhadra at Karwar, The Great Outdoors Karwar , Hotel Subhadra, Hotel Sadanand, Hotel Navarathna, Hotel Dwarka, Hotel Ashok, The Om Beach Resort.
PANAMBUR BEACH
This beach is 10 km from Mangalore most frequently visited beach and lies next to the harbor.
THE OM BEACH & THE CUTLE BEACH (GOKARNA)
Location :- 60 Km from Karwar and 470 km from Bangalore .
Hotels : - The Om Beach Resort, Hotel Gokarna International, Hotel New Prasad Nilaya
MURUDESHWAR
This picturesque place is situated 16 km from Bhatkal.This place is a favorite tourist spot the place can be visited all the year round. Bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, Murudeshwar is the sort of place which makes you contemplate about life and what it means to you.
The sea is an intrinsic part of the temple scape at Murudeshwar. The sea surrounds the temple towering on the small hill called Kanduka Giri on three sides. A huge 15 m. statue of Shiva towers over the town and has an overwhelming presence. The statue, which is only a couple of years old, is in a complex which encompasses the 500-year-old Shiva temple.
WIth the roaring sea to the west, the towering hills to the east and the coconut and areca groves nearby, the temple attracts a lot of devotees. The temple is covered with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style and is believed to be located on the spot where Ravana flung the cloth covering the Atmatlinga at Gosrakana while lifting it.
Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The temple has several other beautiful carvings and statues that date back to a few centuries. There is also a huge fort behind the temple said to have been renovated by Tipu sultan, the ruler of Mysore .
Location :- 16 KM from Bhatkal and 165 Km from Mangalore.
Hotels : - RNS Yatrinivas, Naveen Beach Resort, Murudeshwar Guesthouse, Benzy Intercontinental, Hotel Danish Regency, Hotel Kola Paradise, Hotel Murdeshwara Boarding And Lodging, Hotel Ashok, Vaibhav Lodge.
MALPE BEACH
This beach is 45 km north of Mangalore and 6 km from Udupi Malpe with its sheltered harbor makes a quiet beach retreat, just six kms away from Udupi, It is a popular picnic spot due to the pristine beauty and peaceful surrounding of its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, swaying Palm trees, clear blue sky and the gurgle of the sea attracts tourists to this spot. Balrama temple here is an added attraction to this place. Between October - January is the best time to visit this place.
Location : 66 km from Mangalore
Hotels : In Mangalore and Udipi. Taj Manjarun, Summer Sands Beach Resort, Hotel Pooja International, Moti Mahal, Hotel Mangalore International, Hotel Pentagon, The Prestige, Hotel Ayodhya, Hotel Kavitha Residency. Udupi : Hotel KarthikBheemeshwari, the favorite getaway for day-trippers, 100 kms from Bangalore , Galibore and Doddamakali are the three great places for angling in Karnataka.
Jungle Lodges and Resorts organize
MARAVANTHE
It is 110 km north of Mangalore and has a scenic beach Water sports and beach resorts promise an enjoyable holiday here. Watching the sunset here will be spectacular. Can take a drive to the nearby Baindu- Belaka Theertha Falls .
A drive along the West Coast Highway as it cruises alongside the Arabian Sea on one side, with the picturesque Kodachadri Hills forming a backdrop to the Sauparnika river on the other is truly spectacular. Marawanthe wears the look of a fairyland at sunset when the sky turns crimson and the golden rays of the sun are reflected in the sea as well as the river.
Visit Baindur, a hamlet 45 kms from Marawanthe with a lovely beach close by. Near Baindur is the scenic Ottinane with its overhanging cliffs, an ideal place for viewing the sunset. A further drive will take you to the Belaka Theertha Falls near Baindur.Illuminated by streetlights; Marawanthe turns into a cool nightspot after dark. The distant ship lights on the horizon seem to beckon you to other shores.
Location : 12 Km from Kunapur and 52 Km from Udupi
Hotels: In Kundapur:- Turtle Bay Beach Resort, Hotel Sharon, J K Tower, Hotel Shashidhar Boarding & Lodging, Hotel Samartha and Anugraha Tourist Home, Sagar Kinara Beach Resort, Hotel Pravasi Lunch Home.
KARWAR
A calm and palm - laced beach, silver sand calm and peaceful coves makes Karwar a prefect holiday spot. Once an important trade center Karwar is situated just 100 km from Goa makes a good starting point, for the voyage of discovering the thrills of the sea, sand and sun.
Karwar is just one of the secluded beaches dotted along Karnataka's 320 km long coastline. It has all the makings of a perfect holiday with gentle waves, palm-laced beaches, silver sand, and calm, peaceful coves.
Karwar lies on a thin strip of tropical sand that is bound by the Western Ghats on its eastern side and embraced by the Arabian Sea on the west. The sea is dotted with several small islands on the horizon. Amongst them, about 3 kms away, is Devbagh, a centre for diving and snorkeling. This beach is said to have inspired Rabindranath Tagore to write his first play. It will surely inspire you to surrender to the timeless rhythm of the sea.
Location : 105 Km from Panaji and 10 km from South Goa Border.
Hotels :- Devbagh Beach Resort, The Estuary View Resort, The Great Outdoors, Hotel Subhadra, Hotel Sadanand,Hotel Navarathna, Hotel Dwarka, Hotel Ashok, Hotel Seaview, Hotel Bhadra.
NETHRANI ISLAND
Just off Murdeshwar, this is famous for its Shiva temple lies one of best dive sites in this part of the world. Nethrani Island .
Nethrani is a small uninhabited island that would make a perfect setting for an adventure yarn. The last thing you would expect to see here is the submarine wonderland bustling with everything from Angelfish and Turtles to Barracuda and Moray Eels.
With depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters and visibility from 15 to 30 meters, divers from every level can experience the wonder of life beneath the waves. One of best dive sites Depths ranging from 6 to 40 meters and visibility from 15 to 30 meters, divers from every level can experience the wonder of life beneath the waves.
The Nursery: - Ideal for beginners as well as advanced divers who enjoy looking for all things small and wonderful. Great site for maco photography. A shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 10 metres. So named because of the profusion of juveniles of many fish species as well as Nudibranchs found here. Ideal for beginners as well as advanced divers who enjoy looking for all things small and wonderful. Great site for maco photography.
Grand Central Stations : - This is one place the fish watch you depth 20 meters. High adrenaline action with lots of big fish. Gradual slope going down to 20 metres. This is one place the fish watch you!! Schools of big Surgeonfish, Parrotfish, Red Snappers, Batfish, Barracudas, Rabbitfish and many more come cruising by to check YOU out!!
The Abyss : This dive site with 35 meter depth is an ideal one for deep dive fanatics. Dropping down to 35 metres, this dive site is an ideal one for deep dive fanatics. Large schools of Barracuda, Tuna and cruising pelagic are often sighted. The gravel bottom has a gradual slope heading towards the island where we complete our safety stop in Dini's Delight.
Dini's Delight : - Good for beginners and photographers only 8 meter depth. Shallow dive with a maximum depth of 8 metres. Gigantic coral head are home to an incredible variety of fish life. Good for beginners and photographers alike, this is a good spot to see lobster, moray eel and several species of angelfish and surgeonfish not commonly found in these waters.
Culde Sac : - At this dive site one "goes with the flow. The bottom is made up of sea grass and comfortable home for many species. With sheer walls on either side, this dive site is a pretty and gentle dive where one "goes with the flow”!! A gentle surge takes you into a cul de sac teaming with tiny reef fishes. The bottom is made up of sea grass where many species of Goby share their home with the housekeeping shrimp!.
Aladin”s Cave :- Reported to be the mouth of a tunnel which travels into the core of the island!
Location : - 16 Km from Bhatkal, 165 Km from Mangalore and 465 km from Bangalore
Hotels :- At Murudeshwar. RNS Yatrinivas, Naveen Beach Resort, Murudeshwar Guest House, Benzy Intercontinental, Hotel Danish Regency, Hotel Kola Paradise, Hotel Murdeshwara Boarding And Lodging, Hotel Ashok, Vaibhav Lodge
ST.MARYS ISLAND
This is neither a swimming nor a strolling beach. A place where one can see unique formation of volcanic rocks. St. Mary's Island , another delightful get away is only a boat-ride away across Malpe Harbour . Here one can find a unique formation of volcanic rocks which have crystallized into columns and split into vertical hexagonal blocks. This is neither a swimming nor a strolling beach. It's a beach to be gazed and wondered at; and it's the only one of its kind in India . Legend has it that Vasco da Gama landed in 1498 on one of these islands which he called “El Padron de Santa Maria ”. It is from this that these islands got their present name. Tsshe northernmost island is about a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width. It has a coconut grove, which makes it the shadiest island of the group and gives it true South Sea colour. If you’re looking for seclusion, you couldn’t find it in a better place
Location : - 6 km from Udupi and 66km from Mangalore.
Hotels : - Hotel Karthik at Udupi .
KAUP
Kaup is a lovely beach situated 12 km south of Udupi. The temples here are famous. The ruined Jain basadis are worth to visit. Also can see the ruined remains of an old fort and 1000 ft. high lighthouse.Kaup has a lovely beach, a ruined fort and an old 100ft. high lighthouse. The two temples of Goddess Mariamma in Kaup are famous. The Jain basadis here are in ruins, but are worth a visit.
Location :- 12 Km from Udupi
Hotels : - In Udupi. Karavali Hotels, Hotel Sri Rama Residency, Hotel Sri Rama Residency, Hotel Swadesh Heritage, Palm Grove Beach Resort, Hotel Sharada International, Hotel Janardhan, Hotel Sindhu Palace, Hotel Kediyoor, Hotel Shri Ramakrishna, Hotel Mother Palace, Hotel Ashraya, Hotel Bhavani, Hotel Shantala, Hotel Brindavan, Boarding & Lodging.
SURATKAL
This is an excellent beach with wide shore. It’s a favorite holiday resort. There is temple dedicated to Sadashiva on a hill rock on the sea shore. Suratkal, 15 Km from Mangalore, is an excellent beach with a wide shore to stroll on. Suratkal has a fine beach which is a favorite holiday resort. It is about 14 Kms from Mangalore. There is a temple dedicated to Sadashiva on a hill rock on the sea-shore. The steep truck from the temple takes you to the New light house poised on a massive black rock. The beach is near the promontory, on which the new lighthouse stands.
Location : 15 Km from Mangalore
Hotels : In Mangalore Taj Manjarun, Summer Sands Beach Resort, Hotel Pooja International, Moti Mahal, Hotel Mangalore International, Hotel Pentagon, The Prestige, Hotel Ayodhya, and Hotel Kavitha Residency.
GOKARNA
With its narrow streets, traditional houses, and temples, the nondescript town of Gokarna has become the favorite haunt of Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars, and beach buffs. Locals believe that Gokarna derives its name from a legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. Literally meaning ‘cow’s ear,’ this village is formed by the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. Adventurous travelers must be prepared for a bit of cliff scrambling in this coastal town. Om beach, one of Gokarna’s five famed beaches, takes the shape of an ‘ Om ,’ a spiritual symbol. The other beaches, wedged between gigantic cliffs that protrude like delicate fingers into the sea, are Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon, and Paradise . The drive up the winding path that leads to Gokarna is a scenic delight with Rocky Mountains and the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Here, you can experience the famed Karnataka hospitality in friendly guesthouses run by local families.
Location: - 60 km from Karwar and 470 km from Bangalore .
Hotels: Hotel Gokarna International, The Om Beach Resort, Hotel New Prasad Nilaya, Nimmu House, Hotel Samudra, Om Lodge.
MANGALORE
Ensconced on the coast, this maritime city makes a pleasant and convenient stop between Goa and Kerala. With its narrow, winding streets fringed with coconut palms, quaint houses with terracotta-tiled roofs, beautiful beaches, temples and churches, and the aroma of spicy coconut curries, it has preserved its old-world charm. Mangalore was a major seaport and ship-building centre in Hyder Ali’s time.
Today it is a business and commercial centre and Karnataka’s major port for the export of coffee, spices and cashew.
The Someshwar Temple overlooking a rocky promontory, the ancient 10th century Mangala Devi Temple dedicated to the Goddess Mangala Devi and the 11th century Kadri Manjunatha Temple with its exquisite bronze images of Lokeshwara co-exist with splendid churches and mosques. Among the more remarkable mosques are the Jumma Masjid in Bunder, built centuries ago by the Arabs, and the Idgah Mosque at Lighthouse Hill whose construction is attributed toTipu Sultan at the end of the 18 century. The St. Aloysius College Chapel with its magnificent Biblical frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings is worth a peek. Equally impressive is the Shreemanthi Bai Memorial Government Museum with its wondrous collection of objets-de-art, archaeology, ethnology, porcelain, and wooden carvings. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Pilikula Nisagardhama, a sprawling 300-acre park 12km from Mangalore, with boating facilities, a wildlife safari, a mini aquarium, and a science centre.
Hotels in Mangalore :- Taj Manjarun, Summer Sands Beach Resort, Hotel Pooja International, Moti Mahal, Hotel Mangalore International, Hotel Pentagon, The Prestige, Hotel Ayodhya, Hotel Kavitha Residency , Madkekar Resorts India, Hotel Indraprasta, Hotel Woodlands, Hotel Srinivas, Hotel Shaan Plaza, Hotel Anugraha Lodge, Surya Hotel, Ganesh Mahal, Vasantha Mahal, Hotel Manorama. Holiday House Resort, Hotel Residency Park, Hotel Blue Star, Hotel Rama, Aiswarya Lodge, The Viceroy, Keerthi Lodge, Hotel Rajesh.
