MOTOFOODIE

Kilometres of pristine, non-touristy beaches, enchanting sunsets, camping by a beach with best friends, trek through small hillocks, forts, lighthouses overlooking the sea and taste delicious seafood – experience them on a beach trek from Kumta to Om beach in Gokarna, Karnataka.

Best time of the year to trek: October to January, after this it gets very hot followed by monsoons

Who can do this trek: Adult/teenage groups (friends, family, work colleagues etc)

Total trek distance: 30-35kms (best to spread this over 2 days with 1-night of camping on the beach)

Best way to reach Kumta: Since the start and finish locations are different – recommend to reach Kumta by bus, train, hired taxi (instead of own car/motorcycle)

Trek difficultly: Moderate (trek terrain has flat beaches, small hillocks, beach-side boulders)

Detailed Route:

• Day 1: Kumta bus stand (either by walk or take a local auto) > Head Bunder beach > Vannalli beach > Mangodlu beach > Kadle beach > Baada beach > Camp/stay at a resort
• Day 2: Baada beach > Nirvana beach > Kagal > Walk back to main road to Berkodi > bus till Aghanashini Jetty > Ferry from Aghanashini to Tadadi > Tadadi Ferry Service Point
  • From here you have 2 options to reach Gokarna:
    • Option 1: Trek further till Om beach
    • Option 2: Take a bus to Gokarna: walk towards Bharat Petroleum Tadadi bunk > board a KSRTC bus till Gokarna > Gokarna to Om beach (hire an local auto/cab)

Where to camp during the trek:

On most days camping on the beach is fine by the locals, but when we went there were some restrictions to camp – hence we approached a beach resort to camp inside their property and use the restrooms.

We camped at:

• White heaven sea stay: Located at Baada beach (before Nirvana beach), the resort is run by Mr.Nagraj and his brothers.
• Extremely hospitable and warm people
• Clean western toilets
• Food is absolutely delicious
• Contact Number: Mr. Nagraj +91 9448611178
• Google Maps link
• Note: White Heaven Sea stay is a full-fledged resort with AC and non-AC rooms and NOT a camping site, but they allowed us to camp within their property at a nominal fees of INR 150 per person/night

Best time of the day to camp: setup your tents by 5pm – so that you have time to relish the sunset by the beach

Details of Tadadi-Aghanashini Ferry

• Ferry for people and 2-wheelers only
• Fixed charge of INR 20 per person and INR 20 for a motorcycle/scooter
• Mode of payment: cash or UPI only
• Ferry timings: 7am to 7pm with an operating frequency of 15-30mins (detailed timings – see image)
• Ferry contact number: +91 7022212857

Useful Information:

• At Kumta: Clean toilets, place to change to trek clothes, and eat breakfast at Govardhan Restaurant Lodge, opposite Kumta bus stand (Google Maps link)
• We did the entire trek on our own, without a guide or a trekking company and it’s fairly easy and economical too
• No food or drinking water is available enroute the beach (so carry them)
• Some popular beaches have shacks to eat a proper meal (but with the pandemic, it’s hard to say how many shacks operate regularly)
• The sea is rough, so avoid going deep into the sea for a swim (there are no lifeguards around, be responsible and have fun)
• Essential gear:
  • Rucksack with sleeping bag
  • 3-man tent for 2 people (ensures enough space to keep 2 rucksacks within the tent)
  • Portable changing room from Decathlon
  • Water: at-least 4/5 litres per person for each day
  • Food: snacks and food for the day and night
  • Torchlight
  • Sunglasses + hat + sunscreen
  • Minimal dry fit clothes
  • Garbage bag to carry back the trash
  • Carry oral rehydration salts such as ‘electral’
• Camping etiquette:
  • Try to setup camp by 5PM – this way you get ample daylight to setup and time to sit back to relish the sunset
  • If you plan to camp on the beach: please check with the locals if it’s safe (but I highly recommend to find a beach resort and camp within their property)
  • Toilets while camping: find a good spot to poop, carry a portable change room to setup as a temporary toilet, after the duties please cover the poop with sand or mud
  • DO NOT LITTER THE BEACH – carry back all the trash food/empty water bottles
• Where to eat in Gokarna: end the trek in Gokarna with a chilled beer and delicious sea food by the beach at Namaste cafe!!

The Kumta-Gokarna beach trek takes you through beautiful, clean, non-touristy beaches – nothing more relaxing than sleeping and waking up to the sound of the sea.
With the entire beach to yourself, let the inner kid out and have fun 🙂