Kandla Mangrove Boardwalk

What it is

Kandla is the Kannada word for mangrove, and Sharavathi Kandla Vana is a patch of mangrove forest on the south bank of the river that the forest department has opened up with a raised wooden walkway. You walk at root level through a tunnel of green, with crabs and mudskippers in the mud below, until the trees part and the walkway ends at a platform over open water.

It is the same forest that Pauli's boats pass through. The boat shows it to you from the water and the boardwalk shows it from inside, which is why doing both in one stay is worth it.

Getting there from the homestay

About 4 km, ten to twelve minutes by auto or car. Cross the Sharavathi bridge and take the turn towards Kasarkod Eco Beach; the boardwalk entrance is almost opposite the beach road. Autos are easy to find from Tari-Bagel.

Timings, fee and how long to allow

It is generally open from about 9 AM to early evening, with a small entry fee of around ₹20 per person and an extra charge for professional photo shoots. Allow forty-five minutes to an hour. The walkway is flat and shaded, so it is comfortable even at midday and suits small children and older visitors.

Make it a half day

Do the boardwalk first, then walk across to Kasarkod Eco Beach for the last light. If you still have energy, Apsarakonda Falls and its sunset point are a further ten minutes south. All three are on the same side of the river.

Kasarkod Eco Beach The mangroves by boat Honnavar 2 day itinerary Rooms in Honnavar