The Surf Window

Gokarna Half Moon

Karnataka, India

Beach breakIntermediate

Accessible only on foot over the headland from Om Beach or by boat, Half Moon Beach at Gokarna is a crescent cove with smaller, more protected waves, one of India's most beautiful hidden beaches where the surf community is intimate and the pace completely unhurried.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size1–1.5m at 10–12s

Wind

NE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Oct–Feb

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach break

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Small peaks in the sheltered crescent

Length

30–60m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginner to intermediate
  • •Why: Sheltered bay delivers smaller, manageable waves, perfect for learning

Hazards

  • •Access over the headland requires a 20-minute hike
  • •Rocks at the bay ends
  • •Very limited infrastructure, basic shacks only

Local Tips

  • •The hike over from Om Beach or on to Paradise Beach continues to even more remote beaches
  • •The shack restaurants on Half Moon serve extraordinarily fresh seafood and fish thali
  • •This is one of the few places in India where the pace is genuinely slow enough to recalibrate

Location

Map showing the location of Gokarna Half Moon in Karnataka, India

14.5292, 74.3053