Kemari, Karachi

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Manora is a small Island near Kemari (Kiamari) Port. This Island has a military base & it also serves as residential establishment. But it is open for general public and tourists. There is a long sandy beach towards the southern end of the Island where you can find clear pollution free waters. This beach makes Manora a popular picnic spot.

It only takes 20 minutes in a boat to reach Manora from Kemrai at a cost of Rs. 30/- per person. Water at Manora Beach is more clear as compared to Sea View or Clifton which are higly polluted beaches. Also it is comparatively near from City Centre as compared to Hawks bay or any other beach in the vicinity.

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Ibrahim Haidery is a small port, catering to various small size fishing trawlers. It is stinky, smelly, crowded, busy, dirty, and a FUN place to visit, if you have nothing better to do ;)

Situated on the far end of Korangi, the harbour is well passed crowded residential/katchi abadi area. Take someone who knows the area along with you.

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Kemari is a small harbor catering to small fishing and sightseeing boats and launches, from where you can rent different sizes wooden trawlers/boats to take you around the harbor and various other locations such as Manora and mangroves around Karachi. You can also rent larger boats for longer duration (day/night) to go further away to some islands near the Indus delta, plus for deep sea fishing and even crabing. Larger boats may not be stationed at Kemari, but a smaller one will take you there for onward journey.

One has to heavily negotiate to get a better rate, avoid the touts who would ne lurking outside in the parking area. If you are also interested in eating crabs, ask the boat owner to arrange some and have a cookout on the boat while you travel. But be prepared for spicy crabs.

Photography may not be permitted if you are touring near the harbor due to its proximity to a Naval base, and other sensitive installations around. Even the boats crew will discourage you to take pictures.

Also note that during Monsoon season (mid-June to late August), water may be choppy and if you are not a sea-farer, avoid going out to deep sea.

Ok so you are in Karachi and you do not want to venture into the city?

My suggestion: Head towards busy Karachi harbor in Kemari. Rent a fishing boat out and sail inside and outside of the harbor up to Manora Island. Watch the lighhouse and a fort at the tip of the Island. While going towards Manora Island, a glance towards your left will lead you to seeing the battle vessels of the Pakistan Navy.

You have two great destinations to chose for sailing along the sea coast.

If you head towards activity oriented West, the coast line will first give way to sea side huts meant for the picnikers. depending on the season (August to November, the sea is rough and people are advised not to venture towards the beaches), you can see lot of picnikers out on the beaches.

However, the real treat is heading towards the East. You can see Mangroves, fishing villages, waterfowl, etc. Sailing near the mangroves, you will notice crabs and mudskippers busy in their plays. If you are willing to go as far East as Indus Delta Indus Delta National park), then you can observe waterfowl in abundance.

View of Karachi skylines from Water Taxi

There are many islands in Karachi, one of them is 'churna island'
One can see Dolphins around it. Excellent place for catching Barracudas, Marlins and Mackerels.

PIC tower

Old dispensary near the port, Now has a modern hospital designed around it.