Gokarna is a small beach town located along the Konkan coast line in the state of Karnataka. The beach town of Gokarna is located 136km from Goa and is the perfect replacement for a family on a budget who’s looking for a more fruitful beach holiday without having to burn a hole in your pocket.  

When you are travelling as a family budget and safety are the two most important parameters while short listing and deciding where to go. The town will tick mark both of these and many more. Gokarna is what you expect from Goa but without the tourist mayhem.  

How to reach Gokarna with your family ??

To reach the town, the best option is to take a train to either Gokarna road railway station which as the name suggest is the perfect place to get off and reach the beach town. The other near by railway stations include Kumta and Ankola which are in close proximity and you can either take a local KSRTC bus or hire an auto or taxi to the town. Plenty of train options from Mumbai and rest of south India which go via these three stations.  

If you plan on taking the road then luxury buses are in plenty with semi sleeper Volvo’s and full sleeper buses making the journey extremely comfortable and the roads are extremely well made so you won’t really feel the bumps. 

How many days are needed to explore ??

Gokarna is the kind of place which can be covered in two or three days but the vibe of the place will make you want to stay for much longer. It’s an extremely peaceful and laid back town. The main town has tonnes of budget accommodation options and is the best place for families to stay at. Accommodation at the temple town is the most economical way for a family to spend their holiday. 

Ideally on a family holiday two to five nights is more than enough to explore and get a vibe of the town. 

Best time to visit Gokarna ??

Apart from the monsoon months which is mid June to mid October the rest of the year is pretty much perfect to visit Gokarna.  The winter months from November to January is the best time when the days are pleasant and the nights are cool.  

How safe are the beaches ?? 

Gokarna has four beaches in total starting with the main beach which is located in the town and is walking distance from the temples.  The main beach is also the most crowded beach since it’s easily accessible. If you want a more peaceful time with your family then head over to Kuldeep’s beach.  

Kudle beach is the perfect place to spend days with your family just chilling on the sea shore and having some good food. If you like seafood then the shacks around Kudle beach is going to make your holidays well worth the trip. 

Kudle beach has a clam laid back feel which will make anyone happy. You can play volleyball or racquet ball at the beach or just sit on the beach and watch the waves come in. Kudle is the perfect place to take a dip in the water for a oh so perfect swim with your family. 

The currents in the beach are not to strong so it’s safe to get into the water and have a good time while on holiday with your family.  

Om beach is another good beach families should visit it’s easily accessible by foot or you can also hire a auto rickshaw or a scooter to reach Om beach. Similar to Kudle beach Om beach has a lot of shacks but it’s a lot more crowded. It’s a good place to chill with your family for a day picnic 

From Om beach you can take a boat ride to the more remote beaches of Half moon and Paradise which can only be accessed by foot through the trail or via the boat. So if your family is the adventurous kind then taking the trekking trail is a better option.  But keep in mind the trail is narrow and steep.  

Gokarna night life ???

Kudle and Om beach shacks do have a thriving night life but you defiantly can’t compare it to what the night life in Goa is.  But then again your on holiday with your family and the night life at these two beaches in Gokarna is perfect for the family environment that you have been seeking.  During the winter months is when the night life is at its peak.  

How much will a room in Gokarna cost? 

Accommodation in Gokarna is unlimited from ₹500 to ₹5000 a night there are numerous options.  On a family holiday it’s better to find a home stay guest house which has wifi and air condition rooms which will cost you anywhere between ₹1000-3000 a night for two to four people.  

Staying in the temple town area is a better option for families since evening is continently available there. With ATMs , medical shops and general stores all in close proximity it’s the perfect location for a family to setup base while in Gokarna.   

What kind of food is available in Gokarna ?? 

Food options in Gokarna are extremely good. In the temple town area you will get a lot of south India food options from Idli, Wada, various kinds of dosas and the flagship filter coffee to compliment the meal. Lassi is another drink which is a must try.  

While at the beaches of Gokarna Kudle and Om beach it’s all about the sea food and beer culture. It’s along these beaches that you will get some of the best sea food meal options. 

The prawn pizzas and fish burger along with the fish thali are a definite must try while in Gokarna.  

What’s the budget for Gokarna ?? 

When it comes to the budget you need for a family holiday to Gokarna then it’s honestly based on various factors starting with how you decide to reach Gokarna ie by train or bus or self driver. The accommodation and the food you eat while on holiday. 

If you want to keep it on a very tight budget then 10-15k for a family of three or four is more than enough for this trip since everything is walking distance and not everything is over priced like how it is in the North Of Goa.  

Will your children have fun?? 

To be brutally honest, your children will fall in love with Gokarna, it’s the kind of beach town which will always stay in your heart and your children will remember this as one of their most memorable holidays of their young life.