Sand, Scuba and Stories to tell - Vacay at Gokarna

My family has always been drawn to the water. We’ve traced the coastline of Kannur to Mumbai, pinning our favorite spots along the Western Ghats. Yet, somehow, the Gokarna had remained an unpinned destination on our list. 

With the April heat settling in and the kids wanting a summer getaway, we finally boarded the train from Mysore to Gokarna.

Stories in the Sand

We booked a dorm right in front on the Bhavikodle Beach, Gokarna. Every night, we fell asleep to the cool shore breeze. I narrated the mythology of Gokarna to the kids, explaining how the town got its name.

Om Beach: Day-1 evening, the jet ski rides here were a highlight— bumpy and full of fun! We walked over the famous "Om" shaped shoreline, watching tiny crabs run toward their nests in the sand. 

Kudle Beach: 2 kms away is Kudle beach. We saw one of the best sunsets there and the Kids played for almost an hour on the shore.

Of Limestone Giants and Hidden Falls

On our second day, we left the salt behind for the shadows of the forest. The Yana Caves are breathtaking—massive, towering black limestone formations. As we trekked through the forest valley to reach the peaks, I shared the legend of Bhasmasura, which is believed to be the formation of such prehistoric hills.

On the way back, we detoured to Vibhuthi Falls. It was a bittersweet visit; due to a recent accident at the falls, guards were not allowing visitors into the water. We still captured some beautiful photos with the falls in the backdrop before heading back to Gokarna town.

Evening, we hired bikes for a city tour and yummy dinner at the Udupi restaurant. 

A Deep Dive into the Blue

Early morning - 5:30 AM was our drive towards Murudeshwara. Our scuba booking at Netrani Island was for 7:00 AM.

It was the first time scuba diving for all of us. After a quick 15-minute theory session and a trial dip, we were submerged. Those 20 minutes underwater were a dream come true. Seeing the look of pure wonder on my wife’s and kids' faces through their masks as we drifted past vibrant corals and colorful fish was a simply amazing. The one-hour boat ride back to the shore felt long and sleepy.

History and Hanging Roots:

Next day wa toward Honnavara and nearby places. We finished our breakfast at another Udupi restaurant.

Mirjan Fort: Our cab driver was the tour guide at Mirjan fort, we explored the moss-covered fort and clicked few pics. The 10 AM sun made us drink tender coconut and start towards Honnavara boat ride.

Honnavara Backwaters: We spent an hour drifting through palm-fringed for almost an hour. We walked around an island and went under a rail bridge in that boat. It was a pleasant sail.

The Mangrove Walk: Walking through the people crowded mangroves was real quick. On the wooden bridge we crossed couple of pre-wedding photoshoots; waited for them to break and cross them.

The Takeaway: Simple Joys and Udupi Flavors:

We’re heading back to Mysore now with sandy  mats, slightly sunburnt noses, and a sense of calm we haven't felt in months. This trip wasn't just about ticking places off a map; it was much awaited break. 

This trip was full of serene beaches, beautiful waterfalls, shimmering backwaters and adventurous forest treks along with savoured authentic Udupi vegetarian food.

If your family is feeling the burnout, take this as your sign: head for the coast, dive into the deep end, and let the ocean do the rest.