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Beach trek in Karnataka from Kumta to Gokarna – Everything you need to know

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.

Kumta to Gokarna beach trek in Karnataka
Kumta to Gokarna beach trek in 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)

Resting atop a green hillock and savoring the sea breeze enroute the Kumta Gokarna beach trek
Resting atop a green hillock
Not just flat beaches - navigating boulders on the Kumta to Gokarna beach trek in Karnataka
Not just flat beaches!!

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)
Beautiful morning at Nirvana beach Karnataka
Morning Views 🙂
At Baada beach - Enchanting sunset on the Kumta - Gokarna beach trek in Karnataka
Enchanting sunsets <3

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

Camping at White Heaven Sea Stay in Baada beach Karnataka
Camping at White Heaven Sea Stay – Baada beach
At Kadle beach - Magical sunsets in the beach trek from Kumta to Gokarna
More sunsets..

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
Tadadi to Aghanashini Ferry in Karnataka
Tadadi to Aghanashini Ferry, Karnataka
Tadadi to Aghanashini Ferry time schedule Gokarna Karnataka
Ferry schedule – Tadadi to Aghanashini

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!!
Kumta to Gokarna Beach trek - best enjoyed with done friends
Beach trek – best enjoyed with friends 🙂

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 🙂

Beach sunset and friends - Kumta to Gokarna beach trek in Karnataka
When an entire beach belongs to us 😀

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