20 Best Beaches in Karnataka

Karnataka boasts of having spectacular beaches. These coasts, located along the Arabian Sea, captivate the tourists with their glistening sand and sparkling water. So, if you are in the mood for holidaying on beaches, do consider booking your tickets to Karnataka and spend your leisure time on its beaches.

However, if you are unaware of which beach to choose to spend your holiday on, keep reading this article to know about some of the best beaches in Karnataka.

Take a look at the famous beaches in Karnataka listed below:

1. Om Beach, Gokarna

Located in Gokarna, Om beach is a popular destination for every beach lover. You will surely cherish its mesmerising view during sunset. You can enjoy this view from shacks on the sides, providing affordable accommodations while relishing the global foods available in restaurants. Besides, you can also enjoy water sports such as surfing, speedboats, etc.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Famous for: Om beach is famous for the following:
  • Stunning sunset view
  • Water sports such as parasailing, JetSki ride, and surfing are available.
  • Hiking to Om Beach Rock View, Om Beach viewpoint, etc., to see the picturesque view of the ocean and beach.

2. Panambur Beach, Mangalore

Panambur beach is located in Mangalore, and people often visit here for picnics and to enjoy the stunning views with their loved ones. 

Apart from this, locals and tourists visit this beach because multiple events like kite festivals, boat racing, and sand sculpture competitions are organised on this beach. Despite a huge footfall, this beach is still one of the cleanest on the west coastline of India. 

• Best Time to Visit: November to June
• Famous for: Panambur beach is famous for the following:
  • You can enjoy parasailing, surfing and JetSki rides.
  • One of the cleanest and safest beaches.

3. Kudle Beach, Gokarna

Kudle Beach is situated in Gokarna. Its serene ambience will make it the best destination for you if you want to spend your holidays alone and peacefully without any tourist crowd. The beach usually remains deserted except during peak tourist season when backpackers and foreign travellers visit this place to enjoy their private time. 

• Best Time to Visit: November to March 
• Famous for: Kudle beach is famous for the following:
  • You can do surfing and breach trekking
  • Perfect beach to view the sunset

4. Paradise Beach, Gokarna

Situated in Gokarna, Paradise beach or 'Full Moon Beach' is around 150 metres long, and 70% of it is covered with rocks. The remaining beach is covered with clean white sand and you may not find many water sports here. 

However, you can swim in the beach water to relax your body and mind. Besides, if you want to spend your time quietly in the lap of nature, then this beach is an ideal destination. 

• Best Time to Visit: November to March 
• Famous for: Paradise beach is famous for the following:
  • Lush landscapes, especially after the monsoon, make it an ideal place for landscape photography
  • Excellent beach to see the sunrise
  • Perfect place to play sports, eat from local vendors or simply walk across the length of the beach.

5. Tannirbhavi Beach, Mangalore

Located in Mangalore, Tannirbhavi beach is known for its natural scenic beauty and calm ambience. You can spot ships entering and leaving the harbour, boats sailing in the never-ceasing sea waves and view the small fishes visible through clear seawater. 

Apart from admiring its natural beauty, you can find basic amenities like public toilets, concrete benches, shacks and stalls selling snacks.

• Best Time to Visit: September to February
• Famous for: Tannirbhavi beach is famous for the following:
  • One of the safest beaches for families to do beach activities such as jet skiing and surfing.
  • Tannirbhavi tree park

6. Half Moon Beach, Gokarna

This beach in Gokarna is an attractive tourist destination for its amazing scenic view. Besides, several village huts built in classical Indian style are found by the beach, which gives it a homely and traditional touch. 

You can indulge in enthralling activities here, such as swimming, paddle boats, and canoeing.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Famous for: Half Moon beach is famous for the following:
  • Stunning view of Mother Nature
  • Adventurous activities such as camping, cabins, and paintballs.

7. Malpe Beach, Udupi

This coastal area is situated approximately 6 kilometres away from Udupi and covered with pristine white sand. You can enjoy the perfect picturesque view of St. Mary's Island while relishing delectable food from shacks lined by the beach. 

• Best Time to Visit: October and January 
• Famous for: Malpe beach is famous for the holidaying opportunities its offers, and some remarkable spots and they are as follows:
  • St. Mary's Island
  • Sea walk
  • Water sports like banana boat rides and parasailing are available

8. Kasarkod Beach, Kasarkod

Situated next to the Kasarkod village, this is one of the best beaches in Karnataka. This virgin beach received the Blue Flag certification for fulfilling the international standards of eco-friendliness. 

Further, this beach is less crowded than other popular beaches in Karnataka. So, it is an ideal destination for you if you want to enjoy scenic beauty with peace of mind.

• Best Time to Visit: January and February
• Famous for: Kasarkod beach is famous for some remarkable spots, and they are listed below:
  • Eco beach 
  • Apsarakonda Waterfalls
  • Sharavathi Kandla Mangrove Boardwalk

9. Padubidri Beach, Udupi

This beach also makes into this list of best beaches in Karnataka, and like Kasarkod beach, it has been certified with Blue Flag. This beach is known for offering adventurous rides and thrilling water sports. 

This clean and well-maintained beach is perfect for you and your family if you and your loved ones want to watch a proper sunset view. 

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
• Famous for: Padubidri beach is famous for the following:
  • Water sports such as speed boat rides, beach volleyball, water scooter rides, and banana boat rides
  • Several events like fairs, competitions, tournaments, etc., are held

10. Devbagh Beach, Karwar

Devbagh beach is located in the district of Uttara Kannada and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Karnataka. The river Karli and the Arabian Sea converge at this spot, which makes an excellent scenic beauty along with surrounding mountains.

You may also spot some dolphins while on your water expedition. Beside the river, the coastline is lined by thick mangroves and home to diverse birds, which will surely attract bird or wildlife photographers.

• Best Time to Visit: October to May
• Famous for: Devbagh beach is famous for the following:
  • Water sports such as scuba diving
  • Nearby islands Oyster-Rock, Kumaragarh, Anjudeep and Sanyasi

11. Gokarna Beach, Gokarna

Gokarna beach has gained popularity because of its mesmerising location and long stretches of sandy coastline. It is located at the edge of the temple town, and several pilgrims visit here while seeking blessings from the Shiva temple. 

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Famous for: Gokarna beach is famous for the following:
  • Surfing
  • Beach trekking
  • Shopping and affordable coastal and continental cuisines at shacks on this beach

12. Murudeshwar Beach, Murudeshwara

Murudeshwar beach is located along Murudeshwar Temple and is one of the best beaches in Karnataka. This beach is perfect for family members to go on a picnic. 

Further, this beach is surrounded by hills with gentle slopes and greenery and is covered with sand with a silky texture. If you visit this place early in the morning, you may notice kingfisher birds and seagulls, further elevating its scenic beauty. 

• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Famous for: Murudeshwar beach is famous for the following:
  • Great view of the Arabian Sea
  • A bunch of coconut trees
  • Activities like surfing, boating and kayaking

13. Karwar Beach, Karwar

Karwar beach, or Tagore beach, is one of the top beaches in Karnataka, situated in Karwar town at the confluence of the Kali river and the Arabian Sea. 

It is popular for its crescent shape and annual Karavali Festival, one of the massive events which occur in December and January.

• Best Time to Visit: September and February
• Famous for: Karwar beach is famous for the following activities and marvellous spots:
  • Water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, and banana boat rides
  • Excellent view of sunrise and sunset
  • Home to diverse species of birds

14. Maravanthe Beach, Maravanthe

Maravanthe beach is situated 12 kilometres away from Kundapur and falls under the category of best beaches in Karnataka. The continuous crashing of waves is complemented by the Kodachadri Hills, which make a stunning backdrop of the Souparnika river that travels to this beach's shore. 

• Best Time to Visit: September and March 
• Famous for: Maravanthe beach is famous for the following activities and marvellous spots:
  • Flavourful and spicy seafood
  • Snorkelling
  • Boat cruise on Souparnika river
  • Colourful conch shells are popular as shopping materials
  • Belkal Theertha Falls

15. Kaup Beach, Udupi

Kaup or Kapu beach is situated between Mangalore and Udupi. This is one of the best beaches in Karnataka and has comparatively less footfall. A lighthouse was constructed here in 1901 and is one of the main highlights as you can get a panoramic sea view from its top. 

It is open daily from 5:30 am and remains open for an hour. Further, you can find stunning Airbnb accommodations around the beach.

• Best Time to Visit: October to December
• Famous for: Kaup beach is famous for the following activities and marvellous spots:
  • Lighthouse
  • Ruins of Jain Basadis
  • Two temples of Goddess Mariamman

16. Kodi Bengre Beach, Udupi

Kodi Bengre Beach or Delta Beach is popular for freshly prepared seafood and toddies. You can also go on boat trips to the nearby mangroves or relax and enjoy your afternoon with flavourful seafood followed by watching the sunset. 

However, note that seawater here is not fit for swimming as it contains stinking sands and doing activities in this beach water can be risky. 

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Famous for: Kodi Bengre beach is famous for the following activities and nearby spots:
  • Water sports such as surfing 
  • Shree Kundeshwara Temple
  • Uppinakudru
  • Kadavinakatta Dam

17. Ullal Beach, Mangalore

Ullal beach is situated in Ullal, which is 12 kilometres away from Mangalore. It has a long coastline and a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. 

The Ullal beach is covered entirely with dense palm trees and lush casuarinas, adding to its natural beauty. Besides, if water sports excite you, then there are arrangements for the same such as speed boating.

• Best Time to Visit: December to February 
• Famous for: Ullal beach is famous for the following activities and nearby spots:
  • Water sports such as sailing, jet skiing,  and banana boat rides 
  • Kiosks selling local cuisine
  • Someshwara Temple, Summer Sand Beach Resort and Queen Abbakka's Fort

18. Someshwar Beach, Mangalore

Someshwara beach is located in Ullal, Mangalore and is one of the best beaches in Karnataka for its long coastline and several remarkable tourist attractions. The beach is covered by rock boulders known as Rudra Shile, which makes it different from its counterparts in Mangalore. 

• Best Time to Visit: October to March 
• Famous for: Someshwar beach is famous for the following:
  • Ullal Delta
  • Excellent sunset view
  • Rudra Shile and Someshwara Temple

19. Bhatkal Beach, Murudeshwar

Bhatkal beach is located near the popular Murudeshwar temple. Its strategic location attracts several tourists from every part of the country. The picturesque view of the beach, combined with the white sandy shore and gentle sea waves, makes it one of the best beaches in Karnataka. 

You can also visit Jog Falls, which is located nearby. This is also a famous starting point for trekkers. So, if you are keen to go on a trek, then do consider this beach. 

• Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
• Famous for: Bhatkal beach is famous for the following:
  • Murudeshwar and other temples
  • Lighthouse
  • Stunning view

20. Mattu Beach, Udupi

Mattu beach water is known for glowing at night due to lights emitted by the bioluminescent phytoplankton. Besides witnessing this unique phenomenon of nature, this place is also great for sunset views. 

This beach is also famous for 'mattu gulla', a unique kind of eggplant, for which several food lovers flock here to relish its different yet flavourful taste.

• Best Time to Visit: October to January 
• Famous for: Mattu beach is famous for the following:
  • Backwaters
  • Stunning sunset view
  • Viewing bioluminescent phytoplankton