12 Best Places to Visit in Honnavar

Quick answer: The best places to visit in Honnavar are the Sharavathi backwater boat ride, Eco Beach Honnavar (Kasarkod Blue Flag beach), Apsarakonda Falls with its viewpoint and marine park, the Sharavathi Kandla Mangrove Boardwalk, the 800-year-old Shambulingeshwara Temple at Gunavante and Idagunji Mahaganapati Temple. Most are within 15 km of town, and one full day covers the highlights.

Most people drive straight through Honnavar on NH-66, crossing the long Sharavathi bridge on their way to Gokarna or Murudeshwar. That’s a mistake if you like empty beaches and quiet evenings. Honnavar (also spelt Honavar or Honnavara) is a small town in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, where the Sharavathi river meets the Arabian Sea.

This list of Honnavar places to visit covers what is actually worth your time: distance from town, time needed, entry and parking charges, facilities, and honest “skip if” notes. You’ll also find a one-day plan, the Bangalore to Honnavar train options and a distance chart for Gokarna and Murudeshwar.

What is Honnavar famous for?

Honnavar is famous for the Sharavathi river estuary and its backwater boat rides, Kasarkod Eco Beach (one of India’s first Blue Flag beaches), Apsarakonda Falls, and its mangroves. It is also known for ancient temples like Gunavante and Idagunji, Olive Ridley turtle nesting at Kasarkod–Tonka, Yakshagana, and fresh coastal fish meals. For travellers, it’s the quiet, local alternative to busy Gokarna and Murudeshwar.

Honnavar tourism: quick facts

Honnavar tourist places at a glance

12 best places to visit in Honnavar

Most places in Honnavar sit within a 15 km radius, so with your own vehicle you can cover the top places to visit in Honnavar in a single day.

1. Sharavathi backwater boating

If you do only one of the things to do in Honnavar, make it the Sharavathi boat ride. Boats leave from jetties along the river and wind through the backwaters, past mangrove channels, fishing villages, coconut groves and small river islands. With luck you’ll see dolphins near the river mouth — locals spot them often, but no operator can promise it.

• Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
• Cost: shared and private boats; fix the price and route before boarding
• Parking: paid parking at the boating jetty.
• Best time: early morning (birds, calm water) or late afternoon into sunset
• Honest note: insist on life jackets and avoid overloaded boats. Rides may stop in peak monsoon.

2. Sharavathi Kandla Mangrove Boardwalk

A raised wooden walkway through a mangrove patch on the riverbank, built by the Karnataka Forest Department, about 3 km from the town centre. Signboards explain the mangrove species. It’s flat and easy, good for children and older parents.

• Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Entry: 20/person
• Parking: paid
• Facilities: basic; carry water and mosquito repellent, especially towards evening.

3. Basavaraj Durga island

A small fortified island off the Sharavathi mouth with the remains of an old fort and a temple, usually reached as part of a boat trip . The appeal is the ride out and the view back to the coast, not a well-preserved fort.

• Skip if: you’re short on time or get seasick — the sea crossing can be choppy.

4. Apsarakonda Viewpoint and Marine Park

Most visitors see Apsarakonda Falls and leave, missing the best view in Honnavar. A short walk from the falls (about 50 metres to the main viewpoint) brings you to a headland overlooking Apsarakonda beach, the rocky shore, green hills and the open Arabian Sea.

Above the falls, the Apsarakonda Marine Park is a landscaped forest trail with flowering plants, fruit and medicinal trees, a few exhibits, a rest shelter with seating and a second viewpoint over paddy fields and the sea

• Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Entry: about ₹20 per person
• Parking: paid
• Best time: late afternoon, when the light softens and the heat drops
• Honest note: some steps and a gentle climb, little shade at midday. Combine with the falls (#10) and beach (#9).

5. Ramatirtha hill

A small hilltop temple a short drive from town, known for a natural spring where water flows from the rock all year. Locals come in the evening; the view over the town and river is a bonus.

• Time needed: 30–45 minutes
• Tip: dress modestly; footwear off near the shrine.

6. Colonel’s Hill viewpoint

A hillock off the highway with a memorial pillar from the British period,looking over the river mouth and sea. Worth 20 minutes if you’re passing; not a special trip.

7. Kasarkod Eco Beach Honnavar (Blue Flag beach)

Eco Beach Honnavar, at Kasarkod about 5 km from town, was one of India’s first Blue Flag certified beaches, maintained to international standards for cleanliness, safety and facilities. Expect a clean managed stretch, toilets, changing rooms, a children’s play area and lifeguards.

• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours, ideally for sunset
• Entry: children’s park about ₹10
• Parking: paid, about ₹40 per car
• Timings: till 6:30 pm
• Swimming: only inside the flagged zone when lifeguards are on duty.
• Honest note: the busiest beach around on weekend evenings. Walk past the managed area for empty sand.
• Did you know: the Kasarkod–Tonka stretch is an Olive Ridley turtle nesting site. Keep away from nests and don’t use torches at night.

8. Shambulingeshwara Temple, Gunavante

About 8 km from Honnavar on the road towards murudeshwara, the Shree Shambhulingeshwara Temple (also called Gunavanteshwara) is one of the oldest temples in Uttara Kannada, believed to be around 800 years old. It is counted among the Panchalinga Kshetras, linked by tradition to the legend of Ravana and the Atma Linga — the same story behind Gokarna and Murudeshwar. An inscription dated 1410 CE records a Vijayanagara-era land grant to the temple.

• Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Parking: free
• Best time: early morning; check the midday closing time
• Festival: the annual Rathotsava draws thousands of devotees
• Why go: if you visit Gokarna and Murudeshwar for the Atma Linga story, Gunavante completes the circuit — and you’ll have it almost to yourself.

9. Apsarakonda beach

A small, rocky-edged cove below Apsarakonda village. It’s scenic and very quiet, but there’s no lifeguard and the sea can be rough, so enjoy it from the shore. It’s the best free-parking stop in the Apsarakonda area.

• Time needed: 30–45 minutes
• Parking: free, near the beach

10. Apsarakonda Falls

About 7 km from town, Apsarakonda Falls drops into a pool surrounded by greenery, with the Ugra Narasimha cave shrine and the so-called Pandava caves nearby. A park with steps and railings surrounds it.

• Time needed: about 1 hour (add an hour for the viewpoint, marine park and beach)
• Entry: small fee
• Honest note: this is not Jog Falls. From March to May the flow is thin; it’s prettiest from August to November. The rocks are slippery — wear sandals with grip.

11. Idagunji Mahaganapati Temple

Around 15 km from Honnavar, Idagunji is one of the most important Ganapati temples on the coast. Weekends, Sankashti and festival days are crowded; go early on a weekday for a calm darshan.

• Time needed: 1–2 hours including the queue
• Parking: free
• Tip: check darshan timings and dress code before you go. Simple vegetarian food is available near the temple.

12. Kodlamane Shri Vishnumurthy Temple

A quieter temple in Honnavar taluk set amid greenery, reached by a short walk from the road.A peaceful stop if you want to skip the Idagunji crowds.

Which Honnavar beach should you visit?

For most travellers, Eco Beach at Kasarkod is the best Honnavar beach: it’s clean, has lifeguards, toilets and paid parking, and is the only one where swimming is reasonably safe. Apsarakonda beach is the pick for quiet and photographs, with free parking but no lifeguards. Neither has shacks or water sports, so carry snacks and water.

Honnavar itinerary: one day and two days

This Honnavar itinerary fits the main places to visit in Honnavar into one or two relaxed days, starting early to beat the heat.

Honnavar in one day

1. 7:00 am — Sharavathi backwater boating (calm water, birdlife)
2. 10:00 am — Breakfast in town, then the Mangrove Boardwalk
3. 12:00 pm — Shambulingeshwara Temple, Gunavante (check the midday closing time)
4. 1:30 pm — Lunch, a fish thali if you eat fish
5. 3:00 pm — Apsarakonda Falls, Marine Park, Viewpoint and beach
6. 5:30 pm — Eco Beach Honnavar for sunset

Honnavar in two days

• Day 1: the one-day plan, with a longer sunset boat ride and Eco Beach moved to the next morning.
• Day 2: Idagunji temple early morning, then Murudeshwar (temple, beach, lunch) and back to Honnavar by evening. Waterfall lovers can swap Murudeshwar for Jog Falls and stop at Gunavante on the way.

How to reach Honnavar

Bangalore to Honnavar distance and road route

The Bangalore to Honnavar distance is about 460 km by road, roughly 8–9 hours of driving. The usual routes go via Tumakuru–Shivamogga–Sagar, or via Haveri–Sirsi–Kumta. KSRTC and private overnight buses also run from Bengaluru.

Bangalore to Honnavar train

Honnavar (station code HNA) is on the Konkan Railway. The rail route via Hassan and Mangaluru is longer than the road, at about 665 km. As of October today, the main Bangalore to Honnavar train options are:

The overnight Panchaganga Express is the most practical: you arrive at dawn, ready for an early boat ride. Timings change, so confirm on IRCTC or erail before booking.

Honnavar distance chart

The Murudeshwar to Honnavar distance is the same, about 26 km, so Honnavar works well as a quieter base for a Murudeshwar visit.

Getting around Honnavar

Most Honnavar tourist places are within 15 km, so a self-drive car or scooter is easiest. Otherwise, hire a full-day auto or taxi from town or the station and fix the rate first. Buses to Apsarakonda and the beaches are infrequent.

Best time to visit Honnavar

• October–February: the best season, with pleasant days, a calm sea and boats running. October and November also catch waterfalls still flowing after the monsoon.
• March–May: hot and humid; sightsee in the early morning and evening.
• June–September: heavy rain and a rough sea; beaches are unsafe for water and boats may not run. Waterfalls are at their best.

What to carry: sunscreen, a hat, water, sandals with grip, mosquito repellent, a dry bag for the boat and some cash. Parking attendants, boat operators and small shops may not take UPI reliably.

Tourist places near Honnavar

Once you’ve covered the places to visit in Honnavar, these places near Honnavar make easy day trips, so you can stay somewhere quiet and still see the famous sights.

Practical tips and honest warnings

• Don’t swim at unguarded beaches. Currents on this coast are strong and drownings happen every year.
• Keep change for parking. Eco Beach, the boardwalk, the boating jetty and Apsarakonda Marine Park charge for parking; Apsarakonda beach, Gunavante and Idagunji are free.
• Facilities are basic outside Eco Beach, Apsarakonda park and Idagunji. Use toilets when you find them.
• Mobile network is fine in town but can drop around Apsarakonda and on the river [VERIFY].
• Food: simple Udupi-style hotels and fish-meal places in town; don’t expect Gokarna-style cafés.
• Stay: a few lodges in town and homestays by the river and beach. Book ahead for long weekends and December.
• Respect the place: carry your plastic back, keep away from turtle nests and dress modestly at temples.

Whether you have a half day or a weekend, these places to see in Honnavar give you the Karnataka coast without the crowds.