Best Beaches Near Karachi, Ranked

Five beaches near Karachi ranked, from Kund Malir to Clifton, with distances, swimming warnings, turtle season and access notes.

1. Kund Malir

Kund Malir is a beach inside Hingol National Park in Balochistan, about 240 kilometres west of Karachi. Zameen puts the drive at around four hours without a long stop. The route follows the N25 to Zero Point, where the Makran Coastal Highway begins, and the beach sits on that highway. It was added to a list of Asia's 50 most beautiful beaches in 2018, and it ranks first for scenery.

Plan for a long day or an overnight trip. After Zero Point there are no food or fuel facilities on the route, so carry supplies and fill up beforehand. There are no huts, rentals or changing rooms on the beach, and phone signal can drop inside Hingol National Park. Zameen advises visiting between October and February, when tides are lower and the beach is safer. The Princess of Hope and the Sphinx are a short drive away.

2. Hawksbay

Hawksbay is on the Arabian Sea about 20 kilometres south-west of Karachi, which makes it one of the closest beaches to the city. Visitors come for camel and horse rides and for the sea. The beach is also a nesting ground for green turtles, and WWF-Pakistan has said that hut construction has harmed the major nesting grounds at Hawksbay and Sandspit.

Do not treat it as a swimming beach. Dawn's Herald reports powerful dumping waves at low tide and strong currents, and the Edhi Foundation counted at least 56 drownings there in six months; swimming bans have been issued in the past. Lifeguard cover is thin, so keep to the shoreline. Risk is higher from May to September, and Anadolu reports that June to August is the worst period.

3. Sandspit

Sandspit is south-west of Karachi and offers camel and horse riding. It is also where WWF-Pakistan runs a Wetland Centre. Green turtles are the only marine turtle species that nests in Pakistan, and WWF-Pakistan's visit described by The Express Tribune took place at Sandspit. The nesting season runs from August to December and sometimes into January, according to that report, not November to February. If you want to watch turtles, arrange it through WWF-Pakistan, keep quiet and do not use lights, because lights and noise disturb nesting turtles. Dawn's Herald reports that the beach dips about ten feet just four feet from the shore, so do not swim here.

4. French Beach

French Beach lies between Hawke's Bay and Paradise Point, reached by French Beach Road off Mauripur Road. Distance estimates vary, with Lonely Planet giving about 40 kilometres and Wikipedia about 70, so check the route on a map. Zameen's 2020 guide says a boundary wall restricts entry to people who own or rent a hut, so book in advance rather than turning up.

It ranks fourth because access is the main difficulty. The village has electricity but no running water, and there are no eateries nearby, so bring food and water. The shoreline is mostly jagged rock giving way to pebbles, and flip-flops are advised. Paradise Point next door has been closed to tourism since 2017, so do not plan to visit both.

5. Clifton Beach (Sea View)

Clifton Beach, also called Sea View, is inside Karachi, which makes it the simplest option if you have only a few hours. It is open 24 hours for the public, and it has restaurants, vendors, and camel, horse and buggy rides. Wikipedia calls it very popular, and a photo caption notes it is crowded even in the afternoon. It ranks fifth because it is busy and built-up rather than scenic, but you can reach it without a long trip. New Year's Eve is one of its major occasions, so expect crowds then. As with the other city beaches, check current swimming advice before entering the water.

Where to stay

Karachi is the practical base for all of these beaches, because Clifton, Hawksbay and Sandspit are within reach of the city and Kund Malir is a long day trip. Browse the Karachi hotel pages on this site and compare each listing's location before you book. For Kund Malir, plan your own transport and supplies, since nearby resorts and camping depend on each operator.

Questions, answered

Can you swim at Hawksbay and Sandspit?

Not safely. Reports describe powerful waves, strong currents and sudden drop-offs, with repeated drownings and periodic swimming bans. The risk is highest between May and September. Stay on the shoreline and check current notices before entering the water.

When do green turtles nest near Karachi?

WWF-Pakistan's report of a Sandspit visit gives August to December, sometimes into January. Green turtles are the only sea turtle that nests in Pakistan. Keep quiet, use no lights and arrange visits through WWF-Pakistan.

How far is Kund Malir from Karachi?

Kund Malir is about 240 kilometres west of Karachi in Hingol National Park. Zameen puts the drive at around four hours without a long stop. There is no food or fuel after Zero Point, so carry supplies.

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