Uttara Kannada – The Land of Pristine Beaches and Lush Forests
Previously known as North Canara, Uttara Kannada is one of the important districts in Karnataka and is famous for its breathtaking landscape. From verdant forests to perennial rivers, waterfalls, and a massive coastline, this charming district is endowed with myriad tourist attractions. It is among the best travel destinations in Karnataka and is perfect for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and every sort of travel enthusiast.
The district also boasts a strategic location as it shares the borders with the popular Indian states of Goa and Maharashtra. The main highlights of Uttar Kannada’s Tourism are wildlife tours, untouched beaches of Gokarna, whitewater rafting in Dandeli, hiking near Yana Rocks, Scuba Diving in Netrani, and much more. Besides these attractions, Uttara Kannada also has a significant role in history, which gives travellers an opportunity to delve into its rich ancient past. So be ready for an enriching adventure and keep reading to know more about Uttara Kannada.
Geography & Climate
- Landscape: A mix of coastal areas, Western Ghats, rivers, and dense forests.
- Rivers: Kali River, Sharavathi River, Aghanashini River, Gangavali River.
- Climate:
Summer (March – May): 25°C to 35°C
Monsoon (June – September): Heavy rainfall due to the Southwest Monsoon.
Winter (November – February): Pleasant, 15°C to 28°C
History of Uttara Kannada
The Kadamba Kingdom was prevalent in the Uttara Kannada region from the 3rd to 5th centuries. The Kadamba rulers were defeated by the Chalukya kings, and the region became the rule of several kingdoms thereafter. Rashtrkutas, Hoysalas, and the Vijaynagar Empire ruled the region after the Chalukyas.
After India’s independence, Uttara Kannada remained part of Bombay state. In the 1970s, the southern part of Bombay State was separated, and Karnataka was formed. Later, the district developed as a popular tourist destination for its serene waterfalls, exotic beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant festivals.
Best Places To Visit in Uttara Kannada
The district is home to many ancient and naturally beautiful sites that are visited by people from across the country. Karwar city is its headquarters whereas Dandeli and Bhatkal are some of the major towns of the district. Check out the best Uttara Kannada tourist places that are a must-visit! .
1. Kurumgad Island
Kurumgad Island is one of the most interesting tourist places in Uttara Kannada district. It has a tortoise-like shape. It is a privately owned island belonging to Suresh Mathias, a coffee planter. It is one of five islands in the region and can be accessed by tourists. The other four islands in the region are Devbagh, Sanyasi, Anjadip, and Oyster.
2. Gokarna
Gokarna is an unmissable place if you are a beachbody. This place in Uttara Kannada district is known for its pristine and untouched beaches. Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Majali Beach, Paradise Beach, Rabindranath Tagore Beach, and Devbagh Beach are dotted with myriad beaches perfect for unwinding.
3. Anshi National Park
The Anshi National Park is situated in the Uttara Kannada District in Karnataka. The park is home to various animals, such as Bengal Tigers, Black Panthers and Indian Elephants allowing spotting these denizens in their natural habitat. It is a perfect place for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers to gather an exciting wildlife experience here in this park.
4. Unchalli Falls
Do you know that Uttara Kannada is famous for its mesemerising waterfall? Located in Sirsi Taluk, the magnificent Unchalli Falls is one of the best places to visit in the Uttara Kannada district, especially during the post-monsoon season. This stunning waterfall emerges from the River Aghanashini and falls from a height of 116 metres. There is a deck where visitors can catch a glimpse of this waterfall, which instantly calms the senses with its captivating beauty.
5. Basavaraj Durga Island
Basavaraj Durga Island is a must-visit place in Kannada to discover a spectacular fortress near Honnavar. The legacy of Vijayanagara kings is that this massive fort has been built over 19 hectares of land on the island. Other attractions on this island are freshwater wells dotted around the island. You can also visit a beautiful temple here, which is important for the locals. Makar Sankranti is a major festival celebrated at the temple, and it is the best time to witness the cultural diversity of this place.
6. Netrani Island
Recognised as one of the Kannada beautiful places, where scuba diving and other thrilling water sports activities can be enjoyed is Netrani Island. It is known for stunning corals, pristine waters and spectacular marine life, which makes it irresistible for divers and adventure junkies. It is also known as Pigeon Island, where curved rocky formations and verdant grasslands are perfect for breeding and inhabiting these birds.
7. Yana Rocks
A paradise in Karnataka for trekkers, hikers, and adventure seekers, visiting Yana Rocks is indispensable if you are any of these. It is quite a popular place in the climbing circuit, visited by trekkers and hikers from around the world. This trekking trail is about 16 km long and takes you through the evergreen forests along the Western Ghats.
8. Dandeli
This places is listed on top aming the famous uttara kannada famous places, allowing travellers to pump their adrenaline. Thrilling white water rafting in Kali River makes it Karnataka's best adventure sports destination. Also, there is a wildlife sanctuary in Dandeli, a delight for wildlife enthusiasts. This sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers as it is home to about 200 species of birds.
9. Murudeshwara
Away from the hustle and bustle, Murudeshwara is a beautiful place in Uttara Kannada that is strategically positioned between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. This charming town is famous for its ancient Shiva Temple, which boasts stunning Dravidian architecture. The temple houses a tall statue of Lord Shiva, considered the tallest Shiva statue in India. There are beautiful sculptures from the Chalukya and Kadamba eras, which are typically works of art.
10. Kavala Caves
If you are visiting Dandeli Sanctuary, don’t miss the beautiful Kavala caves in the park. These naturally formed caves are one of the historical places in Kannada, which offers sight to behold as these are several ancient limestone formations created by the water seeping through porous rocks over millions of years. It is also visited by many pilgrims during Maha Shivaratri due to the naturally formed Shivling inside the caves. You can also grab an enchanting view of Kali River valley from the caves.
Best Time to Visit Uttara Kannada
- October to March: Best for beaches, trekking, and sightseeing.
- June to September: Monsoon season – lush green landscapes but heavy rainfall.
How To Reach Uttara Kannada
Uttara Kannada is an important district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The capital city, Karwar, is 520 km from Bengaluru and 271 km from Mangalore. The district shares its borders with Goa and is well connected by rail, road, and air. Check out the easiest way to reach Uttara Kannada through all means of transport!
- Major City in the District. Karwar
- Nearest Airport. Dabolim Airport (GOI), Goa
- Second Nearest Airport. Bajpe Airport (IXE), Mangalore
- Nearest Railhead. Karwar Railway Station
By Air
The nearest airport to Uttara Kannada is Dabolim International Airport in Goa, which is about 4 hours away from the district. You can also consider flying to Bajpe Airport in Mangalore, which is the second nearest airport. Both airports remain busy as there are frequent flights from all major cities in the world.
- Distance from Dabolim Airport. 190.3 km via NH 66
- Distance from Bajpe Airport. 290 km
Depending on your budget, you can cover the onward journey from any of these airports by cab or bus.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Uttara Kannada
By Train
The Konkan Railway Line connects Uttara Kannada with other Indian states and prominent cities. The nearest station is in its capital, Karwar. The line also passes through Kumta and Ankola. After deboarding at the station, you can hire a cab to reach your desired destination or take a bus according to your comfort and budget.
By Road
North West Karnataka Transport Corporation is the main transport agency within the district, operating on various routes from surrounding cities and districts as well. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and a few private travel services make road journeys to Uttara Kannada easy and swift.
The district is connected through highways, and roads are well maintained, so you can also consider driving in your vehicle.
- Distance from Hangal. 64 km
- Distance from Haveri. 94 km
- Distance from Karwar. 138 km
- Distance from Shimoga. 165 km
- Distance from Goa. 204 km
- Distance from Udupi. 230 km
- Distance from Kadur. 226 km
- Distance from Mangalore. 295 km
- Distance from Hassan. 317 km
- Distance from Bangalore. 426 km
- Distance from Mumbai. 638 km
- Distance from Chennai. 805 km
- Distance from Delhi. 2036 km
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Frequently Asked Questions About Uttara Kannada
Q 1. What is Uttara Kannada famous for?
A 1. Uttara Kannada is famous for its breathtaking landscape and natural wonders.
Q 2. Which is the richest Taluk in Uttara Kannada?
A 2. Sirsi Taluk in Uttara Kannada is considered the richest as it has the highest per capita income in the district. Despite being its capital, Karwar is regarded as the second richest Taluk in the district.
Q 3. Which district is Uttara Kannada?
A 3. Uttara Kannada is part of the Konkan district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It shares its border with the Indian state of Goa.
Q 4. What is the main city of Uttara Kannada?
A 4. The district headquarters is Karwar, which is the largest city in Uttara Kannada. Other important towns include Gokarna, Sirsi, Dandeli, Kumta, Honnavar, and Bhatkal.
