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Are you wondering where to plan your next trip in India? The beautiful town of Karwar sits tucked away, hidden in plain sight. It’s a stone’s throw away from the capital city of Goa and the hippie town of Gokarna. Flanked by the sea on the west and the lush ghats on the east, it makes for a perfect escape. The quiet corner offers innumerable opportunities for recreation, relaxation and adventure. For those who are tired of exploring the usual chaotic, tourist spots on the coastline of India, Karwar is a lovely little secret, waiting for you.
Places in Karwar that you should add to your travel list:
Karwar’s tourist places have something to do for everyone. Regardless of whether you want to have an exciting, adventurous vacation, or a quiet, relaxing sejour, you can have it all. Offering the charm of the Konkan coast and the tranquillity of an offbeat destination, Karwar in Karnataka is the destination that you’ve been waiting for. Keep reading to find all of Karwar’s places to visit.
1. Majali Beach
The crown jewel of Karwar’s tourist places are its beaches, and Majali island tops them all. Majali beach is tucked away from the mainland on Majali island. It’s replete with stunning properties to plan the perfect getaway. Book a beachside cottage, a luxury resort or a hotel room with a view to bask in the beauty of an island escape. Take long walks, go kayaking into the calm waters, try your hand at fishing or just spend your day swimming. Majali island also offers bird lovers an opportunity to spot some really exotic birds, especially during the winter season. Lastly, don’t miss the sunset.
2. Narasimha Temple
The other side of Karwar’s beauty lies in its historical architecture. Narasimha temple is a wonder that sits on the Kurumgad hilltop. It’s a popular pilgrimage site for locals in the region and gets really crowded during the yatra. The yatra is an annual festival that takes place in the month of January. The villagers set up stalls and decorate the place with flowers. The charged atmosphere and the general feeling of joy are infectious! You either trek to the temple or take a ferry to reach the site of the pilgrimage.
3. Oyster Rock Lighthouse
The Devgad Lighthouse, also known as the Oyster Rock Lighthouse, is a stunning viewpoint in Karwar, Karnataka. It stands at the edge of the sea overlooking an infinite stretch of blue. It is recommended to not live in the place without watching the sunset. The structure itself was built in the late 1900s during the Portuguese colonial administration. Its vintage architecture is straight out of a movie which helps for those awesome Instagram photoshoots. Take a peek into the lantern room while you’re there.
4. Kali Bridge
Driving over Kali Bridge is an incomparable feeling. It connects Goa and Karnataka over the stunning Kali river. The deltas at the mouth of the Arabian Sea add to a panoramic view that keeps getting better as the sun sets. You don’t have to go out of your way to see this bridge, especially if you are driving down from Goa. The historical bridge was built in 1983 and stands strong to this day. Enjoy the views and don’t forget to take pictures of the most beautiful places to visit in Karwar.
5. Warship Museum
Karwar’s Warship Museum is one of its celebrated gems. It is located along Rabindranath Tagore beach, and holds some of the Navy’s most treasured memories. What’s more, it has been named after a Russian OSA missile boat - the INS Chapal. The museum is set inside a 245-ton large warship, also known as the K94. The boat was part of the Indo-Pak war of 1971 which still sends chills down every Indian’s spine. The museum offers plenty of knowledge on the Navy’s affairs, sea warfare and the celebrated officers of the sea. You get a peek into the different uniforms worn by these officials such as the sailors, captains and doctors who used to be on board. The warship also houses some active weapons used back in the day - a surface-to-air missile launcher, two 30 mm guns and four anti-ship missile launchers. It was decommissioned in 2005, after almost 30 years of service.
The museum is open between 10 am to 12:30 pm and then from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. You also have to pay a small entry fee of INR 15.
6. Devbagh
Want to take your partner on a serene date to a beach? Pack a picnic basket and head to Devbagh. This private beach is far from the madding crowd, quietly tucked away on the Goa-Karnataka border. You won’t ever want to leave its beautiful golden sands and blue sea. Take a fun banana boat ride, go kayaking into the sunset or spend hours snorkelling. The spellbinding rich underwater biodiversity cannot be missed. You can also go on dolphin safaris. However, make sure that the organisers are using sustainable and safe measures that do not hurt sea life. Spend a cosy candle-lit dinner with your beloved, and enjoy the local variety of seafood at Devbagh.
Rabindranath Tagore Beach
Karwar is all about that lazy, relaxing beach vacation that’s meant to rejuvenate the body and mind. Rabindranath Tagore beach is one of the most popular places in Karwar, Karnataka. It’s where the Kali river meets the Arabian sea. The little sand deltas and the expansive sea along the river are a sight to behold. Apart from the Warship Museum, it also houses a recreational park, an aquarium and a planetarium. The Karwali Utsav takes place on the beach in December or January. Keep an eye out for bioluminescent waves during the months of January and February as well.
Kurumgad Island
Karwar’s islands offer plenty of leisure opportunities. Kurumgad island is shaped like a tortoise, and is well known for its water adventure activities. It is also one of the most beautiful, lined with palm trees and a vintage lighthouse. This is also where Narasimha Temple is located. It’s a rugged, rustic place with a lot of fun things to do in Karwar. You can take a dip in the sea, laze on the sand, pack a picnic or go fishing. Apart from that, the island’s speciality lies in its water sports such as parasailing, scuba diving, jet skiing and much more.
You can take a ferry to Kurumgad from the Sadashivgad boat jetty. It takes about 30 minutes to reach, and the ferry ticket prices vary depending on the season.
Still unsure about visiting Karwar? The place is a stone’s throw away from Goa and Gokarna. If you wish to embark on a long drive, you can even check out the stunning hill stations of Coorg and the cultural city of Mysore. If you feel like the place is not your vibe, you can always embark on a new adventure. The Sahyadri Ghats, their lush green winding roads and the panoramic views of the mountains make every drive feel like a dream. Whether you are driving from Goa to Karwar or Karwar to Coorg, you won’t regret it. Visit Karwar’s beaches, enjoy the local food, be amazed by the warship museum and let go of your fear with some adventure sports.
What is the best time to visit Karwar?
The best time to visit Karwar is during the late winter and early summer i.e. during the months of November to March. It is warm, but not too hot, making it a perfect escape from harsher climates. Karwar is perfect for a short weekend getaway as it offers all the things you need to unwind.
What are the five main islands of Karwar?
Karwar is home to five islands that sit lazily on the Arabian Sea. These are Kurumgad, Devbagh, Sanyasi, Ajadip and Oyster. They offer a lot of fun things to do in Karwar.
How to reach Karwar?
Karwar is a 2-hour drive from the Dabolim Airport in Goa. You can hire a cab or rent a car so you can independently go where you want. Apart from that, you can take a train to the Margao Railway station, which is just an hour away. Certain trains from the same railway station can also take you to Karwar. The scenic route makes the road trip all the more fun.
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