Written by: Sadaf Shahzad
Posted on: July 23, 2020 | 
| 中文
(L) Boats Hauled Up on Hawke's Bay, 1993 and Hawke's Bay Beach Now (R)
The city of Karachi began as a humble fishing village in ancient times, and its ties to the Arabian Sea can still be felt to the present day. The coastline stretches from Cape Monze in the West, to Port Qasim in the east across a 70km stretch. Karachi’s coast does not just aid the country’s economy, industry and trade, but is also a significant part of experiencing the city. Many families go to the beach to unwind from their busy schedules, spend time with friends and family, or even enjoy the serenity of the rolling waves.
But while there is a popular culture of locals venturing to the beach for picnics and recreation, Karachi’s beaches are yet to be seen as viable tourist sites that could make significant contributions to the economy. The following are some of the beaches in Karachi, and some of their aspects which make them worthy of a visit.
Manora Beach
Hawkes Bay is one of Karachi’s most popular and bustling beaches, as thousands throng towards it on the weekends. People flock to the sandy beaches and blue waters to swim, fish or even ride jet skis. It was named after British Baron Bladen Wilmer Hawke, who had a beach house in the area in the 1930s. During his brief stay in colonial Karachi, he began a trend of constructing beach houses, which brought about a trend of beach culture within the city.
Besides recreational activities, the bay is famous for its Green Sea Turtle and Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nesting grounds. The Green Sea Turtle, in particular, is one of the largest hard-shell turtles to live; they weigh around 200-500 pounds and can lay 100-150 eggs at a time in the early winter months. However, the young turtles seldom hatch or grow mature enough to reach the sea, either because they are eaten, or caught in fishing nets. The Sindh Wildlife Department, along with World Wildlife Foundation has been trying to clear beaches of garbage and wild animals, so that turtles may continue to visit and lay eggs there.
Green Sea Turtles, Found Near Hawke's Bay and Sandspit
Named after the small crevices in sand in which turtles lay eggs, Sandspit Beach is also located in the Hawkes Bay. People visit Sandspit in the October-March months due to its clear but shallow waters, and unusual natural rock formations. Many go there for swimming and sunbathing, or riding horses and camels on crisp summer days. But it is advised to be cautious as the land is uneven and the sand is slippery, especially close to the water. Besides also being a home to Sea Turtles, Sandspit is a great place to find marine life algae, crabs and mangrove trees.
Mangrove Forests Under Threat at Sandspit Beach
And not too far from these beaches is Shamspir Island, a small island of approximately 5000 people across a 400-meter wide channel. The village-island is bordered by thick Mangrove forests, and is named after a shrine located on the island. Many older fishing communities have settled there, but people often migrate back to the mainland during high-tide, when fishing activities are halted.
Close by is Manora Beach, located on the small island of Manora, wedged between Sandspit and the Clifton area, acting as a kind of protective barrier which shields the city from harsh tides of the sea. It is connected to Sansdpit via a long causeway, and is known for having the tallest lighthouse in the country, standing at about 91 feet (or 28 meters) high.
Manora Beach Lighthouse
Manora island has a particularly rich history as a gateway into the wider Karachi area. Known in ancient times as ‘Morontobara’, the island was visited by Alexander the Great’s admiral, and historical records from that time noted a beach surrounded by a thick, shady forest. Later, in 1554, it was recorded in the Mirat ul Memalik, an old Ottoman text, as a part of the city of Debal. It fell to the British in 1889, who utilized its strategic location by constructing a lighthouse to assist vessels coming into the Karachi harbor. Currently, the Pakistan Navy is in charge of the island, and is operated as a military cantonment. Many older communities of Sindhis, Punjabis, Memons, Bohri, and others still live on the island. The Sri Varun Dev Mandir there is dedicated to the Hindu god of the sea, Varuna, who is said to protect the people of the island from high tides.
Manora Beach with the Sri Varun Dev Mandir in the Right Corner
Despite the fascinating collection of history and wildlife, Karachi’s beaches have yet to fully develop into full-fledged beach resorts, which can bring in foreign tourists and benefit the economy of the city. What all the beaches mentioned here lack, unfortunately, are proper infrastructures to facilitate both tourists and caretakers of the beaches.
Two Ladies on a Beach in Karachi in the 1960s
Many people drown despite swimming bans on the beaches, and police officers say that in order to protect the area, they would need at least three police stations and emergency hospitals along this coastal belt. The amount of lifeguards along the beach remains a hotly contested issue. Additionally, many of them are fishermen of local communities who are too old and ill-equipped to be lifeguards. These communities are found living in difficult, make-shift conditions tucked away at the side of the beach, and do not make enough from their work to sustain their livelihoods.
To truly go forward and tap into this massive potential of beaches, investment for sustainable development, and modern infrastructure is needed in order to attract tourists. With some training and better living conditions, the marginalized communities living near the sea coast could be given employment in the tourist industry, allowing them to also reap the rewards of development on the beaches.
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