With the summer sun shining on our heads with its full intensity and the frequent power breakdowns adding fuel to fire, Karachities are living in survival mode, to say the least. A beach day picnic during this humid weather sounds like heaven, doesn’t it? But maybe you are sick of going to the same old beach spots like Turtle Beach or Hawks Bay and searching for a new one where you can just go to chill out and relax after an extremely busy week.
Well, we have got just the spot for you! Manora Beach is rather an old spot, an island, that has just been upgraded by the government as a tourist spot. We will tell you all that you need to know about Manora Beach in this article so that you can easily plan your next weekend trip to this beautiful beach.
Manora Beach:
Manora is an island that separates Karachi Harbor from the Arabian Sea. It serves as a protective barrier and used to be an island but now it is connected to the mainland through a natural Sand bridge called Sandspit. Mangrove trees line the Manora island’s coast from erosion and the trees line Sandpit in the western bay of the harbor. The Peelu trees are also found along the shore of Manora, protecting the coast from erosion. There’s also a lighthouse present at the southern tip of the beach, named the Manora Point Lighthouse. The magnificent structure stands at an amazing 38 meters making it one of the highest.
History of Manora:
The history of Manora is quite interesting as it has been revealed by the colonial historians that the islands of Manora and Kiamari were named by Alexander Great’s naval commander Nearchus as Morontobara and Bibakta, respectively. Furthermore, Manora Fort was erected by the Talpur Dynasty in 1797 to guard the port of Karachi. This means that the ancient Greeks were well aware of the location of Karachi.
After Pakistan’s independence from the British in 1974, it was decided that Manora would be used as a naval station and navy ships were moored along its Eastern side. However, after the inauguration of the new Jinnah Naval Base in Ormara, half of these navy boats have shifted there.
Manora Beach Upgrade and Transformation:
Manora is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pakistan and keeping this popularity in mind, the government decided to upgrade and equip it with modern-day facilities to increase the number of visitors that come here. The infrastructure has been upgraded and there is even a resort here. The total transformation of the beach cost Rs. 650 million and it took 10 months for this beach to be completely renovated.
The upgrade includes seating arrangements, ample parking space, shaded spots, a play area, a restaurant, gazebos, and lighting along the beach. A lot of trees have also been planted along the coastline which increases the beauty of this spot. A ferry service from Clifton to Manora Beach is also currently in the pipeline as per the Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah.
Manora Beach Hotels:
Manora Beach has been partially privatized for the beach hotels that are being built. Currently, Destination Hotel, which is a project of the Dreamworld Resort, Hotel & Golf Course is operating in Manora Beach. The hotel is offering different types of water sports and recreational activities.
A room in Destination Hotel costs around Rs. 20,000 per night although the hotel offers discounts for people who have the Dream World membership.
Manora Driveway:
Earlier in the day, the only way to reach Manora Beach was through a boat ride from Keemari. But recently, Manora Driveway was constructed which has made Manora Beach a lot more accessible. Manora Driveway is an impressive infrastructure project that stretches a few kilometers and connects Manora Beach to Kakapir via road. Kakapir can be reached easily by Mauripur Road, which is being renovated as well for the convenience of the public.
Manora Beach Ticket Price:
Manora Beach is a beautiful spot and you would expect the ticket to be expensive, but the entry ticket to this newly-opened beach costs just Rs. 50 per person. Remember to carry your CNIC and other necessary documents like your driving license and car paper as you will have to go through a security check of the armed forces to enter here.
Karachi’s Manora Beach is an amazing tourist spot that you must visit at least once. The crystal-clear waters and warm sand will make you forget all your worries for a while. Spent an evening here and enjoy with your family and friends as the sunset in the background paints the scene bright golden.
