Begin your Gokarna adventure with a morning stroll along the stunning Kudle Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the area. Take a dip in the sea and relish the fresh catch at the beachside shacks for breakfast. The beach is surrounded by verdant hills which makes for a great hike. In the evening, one should try the delectable seafood delicacies at Prema Restaurant.
Start your day by heading to the Mahabaleshwara Temple, a 4th-century Shiva temple set in the serene town of Gokarna. Take in the exquisite Dravidian architecture and the sacred energies of the temple. You can grab a scrumptious breakfast at Pai Restaurant near the temple premises. After visiting the temple, you can head to the Tamara Cafe to delight in the fresh and delicious wood-fired pizzas.
On the third day of your Gokarna trip, traverse to the Half Moon Beach, a hippie paradise that is less crowded. Soak in the sun, indulge in water sports, kayaking, or snorkeling. Shacks on Half Moon Beach offer great options for lunch, particularly the beachside Kudle Ocean Front Restaurant. Later, as the sun starts to set, head to Namaste Cafe with picturesque views of the Indian Ocean and enjoy some of the lip-smacking seafood preparations.
If you have an extra day, head to the stunning Om Beach. If you have a lesser day, you can skip going to Mahabaleshwara Temple and enjoy a full day at Kudle Beach, indulging in the various water sports activities offered by the shacks. Make sure to keep cash handy as most of the shacks and local businesses do not accept cards. Plan your trip well in advance after checking the weather forecast and avoid visiting during the monsoons.