Gokarna is a small beautiful offbeat place in Karnataka that is known for its peaceful beaches, hippie culture and historical temples. If you’re a beach lover but don’t want to go to Goa then Gokarna is the perfect place to add to your bucket list.
Gokarna experiences semi-tropical climate therefore the weather stays pleasant throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Gokarna is from October to March.
But you can choose your best time to visit Gokarna depending on the type of trip which includes water sports, trekking, hiking, and long nature walks. So let’s find out the best time to visit Gokarna:
Gokarna Weather:
| Seasons | Months | Avg Temperature |
| Summer | March to June | 23 to 35 deg Celsius |
| Monsoon | June to September | 21 to 30 deg Celsius |
| Winter | October to February | 14 to 30 deg Celsius |
- On average Gokarna experiences high temperatures throughout the year while May is the hottest month with an average temperature of 33 deg Celsius.
- June to September are the months when Gokarna gets lots of rainfall.
- December to April is the driest period of Gokarna.
- January is the coldest month and most sunny as well.
Best time to visit Gokarna:
October to February is the best time to visit Gokarna when the weather becomes a little dry in the afternoon and chilly at night. Overall, this is the time when you get pleasant weather to enjoy the beaches of Gokarna.
Let’s discuss the weather of Gokarna according to season; summer, monsoon and winter –
Gokarna in Summer Season (March to May)
The summer season in Gokarna is quite hot and humid that starts in March and ends in May. The temperature varies from 20 to 35 deg Celsius. The little shower of rain makes the weather little pleasant for sightseeing. However, during the sunset weather becomes perfect to enjoy the beaches of Gokarna.
This is the time when you just sit and enjoy the beautiful sunset on the beach. Kudle beach is the best place to enjoy the most beautiful sunset in Gokarna.
If you want to have a good summer season in Gokarna then stay hydrated and carry enough water. The evening and early morning is the best time to enjoy Gokarna in summer.
Best places to visit and things to do in summer in Gokarna
The evening is the perfect time to visit the beaches of Gokarna in summer when the weather becomes pleasant to take a good walk on the beach. You can opt for boat rides and beach trekking early in the morning. During this time you can also try out various water activities such as banana boat rides, kayaking, jet-skiing, surfing, parasailing and speed boating. Apart from beaches, there are lots of places you can explore in Gokarna during summer including Kothi tirtha, Mahabaleshwar temple, Murdeshwar temple and Yana caves.
Gokarna in Monsoon Season (June to September)
Gokarna receives heavy rainfall so if you’re not a rain lover and come here to enjoy water sports then you can skip the monsoon season. The average temperature varies from 21 to 30 deg Celsius.
It is not an ideal season to visit Gokarna if you’re looking for a beach vacation. During this time roads get muddier which makes it difficult to roam around the town. Due to that, it is off-season in Gokarna and you can get a good discount on the hotel and food prices.
Best places to visit and things to do in monsoon in Gokarna
Monsoon is the best time to witness the natural beauty of Gokarna when greenery is everywhere with the abundance of flora & fauna. It’s a good time to explore the beaches of Gokarna (Don’t try to go inside the water). Apart from Gokarna, you can visit Murdeshwar temple which is located just 78 KM from Gokarna.
Gokarna in Winter Season (October to February)
The winter is the best season to visit Gokarna when the weather turns warm and pleasant. The temperature varies around from 14 to 30 deg Celsius. Therefore, it is a perfect time to explore the town, do trekking and enjoy the water sports in Gokarna.
October to February is the peak season when lots of tourists visit Gokarna to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
The refreshing sea breeze makes the weather pleasant to enjoy sightseeing. During winter you can sit on the beach with a cup of coffee or a chilled beer while watching the beautiful sunset.
Best places to visit and things to do in Gokarna in winter:
Winter is an ideal time to visit Gokarna when you can experience everything that this beautiful town offers to you. In winter you can laze around beaches, try out water sports, go trekking, explore the ancient Mahabaleshwar temple, go for a long nature walk and try out local food.
Best time for water sports in Gokarna
From November to March is the best time to enjoy water sports in Gokarna. There are various water activities you can do in Gokarna including jet-skiing, banana boat ride, parasailing, kayaking, swimming, speed boating, surfing and scuba diving.
Best beach to do water activities: Om beach and Kudle beach are the best places to enjoy water sports in Gokarna like banana boat ride, surfing, swimming, parasailing, boat ride, kayaking, scuba diving, jet-skiing, speed boating and snorkeling.
Gokarna Temperature:
| Month | Average Temperature in Celsius |
| January | 19 deg to 32 deg |
| February | 20 deg to 31 deg |
| March | 23 deg to 32 deg |
| April | 25 deg to 33 deg |
| May | 26 deg to 33 deg |
| June | 24 deg to 30 deg |
| July | 24 deg to 29 deg |
| August | 23 deg to 28 deg |
| September | 24 deg to 29 deg |
| October | 23 deg to 31 deg |
| November | 22 deg to 32 deg |
| December | 21 deg to 32 deg |
How many days are enough for Gokarna?
3 days are enough for Gokarna. On the first day, you can explore the beaches of Gokarna while on the 2nd day you can explore the local tourist attractions like Mahabaleshwar temple, Koti Tirtha, Mirjan Fort, Shiva Cave, etc. and on the 3rd day, you can go to the famous Murdeshwar temple.