Beach tourism in Dakshina Kannada yet to take off despite vast potential

Mangaluru: Kerala’s tourism growth and Goa’s strong identity built around beach tourism are often cited as success stories. In contrast, beach tourism in Dakshina Kannada district, despite having more than ten scenic beaches, is still in a nascent stage. Though the region has opportunities as vast as the sea itself, the development so far has been limited and inadequate.

Karnataka’s coastline stretches for nearly 300 km from Someshwara to Karwar. Of this, Dakshina Kannada district has about 42 km of coastline, Udupi district 91 km, and Uttara Kannada around 160 km. Despite this extensive shoreline, the potential for beach tourism development across coastal Karnataka remains largely untapped.

Large numbers of tourists from within the state and other parts of the country visit the Karnataka coast to experience the seaside. However, many leave disappointed as most beaches in Dakshina Kannada lack basic infrastructure. Proper facilities such as clean toilets, seating areas, food outlets, accommodation, reliable transport, good access roads and even basic information about the beaches are missing, causing inconvenience to visitors.

Safety is another major concern. Several smaller beaches, including Surathkal Lighthouse, Idya and Chitrapura, do not have lifeguards, forcing local fishermen to act as first responders during emergencies. Sasihithlu beach has only two lifeguards, while Thannirbhavi Blue Flag beach and Thannirbhavi First Beach have limited personnel. Panambur beach, managed privately and known for water sports, has relatively better staffing. However, during weekends and holidays, when thousands of visitors arrive, the limited number of lifeguards struggles to manage crowd safety.

Dakshina Kannada district is home to over ten beaches, including Thannirbhavi First Beach and Panambur, which have the potential to earn international recognition. Other notable beaches include Baikampady, Surathkal, Sasihithlu, Chitrapura, Mukka, Ullal, Someshwara, Uchila and Talapady. The banks of the Gurupura and Netravathi rivers also offer scenic attractions. Nearby coastal destinations such as Manjeshwar and Kumbla in Kasaragod district, along with the famous Bekal Fort, further enhance the region’s tourism prospects.

Despite the steady inflow of tourists, there is no clear branding, organised planning or effective guidance system for beach tourism. Officials frequently cite proposals and plans for beach development, but many of these have remained on paper for decades without proper implementation.

At present, Thannirbhavi First Beach, Thannirbhavi Blue Flag beach and privately managed Panambur beach are relatively better maintained compared to others, though they too require significant improvement. Poor approach roads, lack of shade and insufficient amenities continue to affect visitor experience.

Another major setback is the restriction on beach entry after 7 pm. Due to the absence of proper lighting, beaches are closed in the evenings, limiting economic activity and reducing their appeal to both tourists and local residents.

Experts and locals point out several key issues, including the absence of basic infrastructure, lack of local food outlets, poor road connectivity, inadequate parking facilities and the failure to develop backwater tourism despite ample opportunities. There is also no system to educate visitors about beach safety, unique features or the history of each beach.

To unlock the region’s full potential, stakeholders suggest enhancing attractions at popular beaches, improving safety measures, developing access roads and public transport, installing informative signboards, promoting beach-specific branding, and introducing safe boating and adventure activities. Without strong intent and execution, Dakshina Kannada’s beach tourism may continue to lag behind despite its natural advantages.