Bewitched by the Sunset at Kapu Lighthouse Beach
Sindhu Murthy
It was quarter past 4 Â in the evening when we reached Kapu beach after a pleasant drive along the palm-strewn alleys along the Arabian coast in the southern state of Karnataka in India. The weather was quite humid and the sun shone brightly in all its glory. Though we had visited Udupi and Mangalore on multiple occasions earlier, we had never managed time to visit Kapu during the right hours to witness the magical sunset it is popular for. But our recent visit was different. Watching the sunset at Kapu lighthouse beach was our main agenda and we planned the rest of our itinerary accordingly.
Kapu beach also referred to as Kaup beach is located at about 2 km from the highway connecting Mangalore and Udupi in Karnataka. The Best time to visit the beach is during sunset. The lighthouse is open to visitors from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm every day.
While the beaches of Gokarna are gaining the attention of the foreign travelers for their proximity to Goa, a lot of pristine beaches down south in Karnataka go unnoticed. Kapu is undoubtedly one among the best-kept secrets of Karnataka.  What is more compelling about Kapu is the  27 mt high Lighthouse which is still functional. Built in the year 1901 on a huge boulder on the Arabian coast, the lighthouse at Kapu beach has for many years stood unperturbed guiding thousands of sailors and warning the presence of dangerous rocks.
When we visited, the beach was mostly secluded except for a few people who were playing with the waves. The huge waves which crashed against the boulders splashing high in the air made for an enthralling sight.  There was a  small rivulet that joined the Arabian sea just beside the Lighthouse.  A huge cast of tiny crabs wandering on the banks of the shallow rivulet that meandered out from the coconut groves was fun to watch. A couple of colorful fishing boats were parked on the beach after they were back from the days catch.  As the sun slowly descended towards the horizon, more people started gathering at the beach, most of them were students from the nearby colleges.
We flocked to the lighthouse entrance as the clock struck 5.00 pm. That being my first experience of getting into the hollow of the lighthouse, I was enthralled by the spiral staircase inside. Like a child in glee, I started climbing the stairs only to realize soon that they got steeper as I got higher.  Through the tiny windows made on the lighthouse wall along the staircase, I could see the sea unfolded itself in front of me as I climbed higher. The spiral staircase ended at the light chamber which housed a  PV light source surrounded by many reflectors to amplify the light. The final flight of steps from the cabin was the toughest to climb given that I had to carry my camera in one hand. It was probably the fear of enclosure that made the climb all the more difficult. Relief came when I could get out of the light chamber onto the deck surrounding the chamber.
The sight from the lighthouse deck was breathtaking. I could see the sea extend beyond the horizon. The tiny puffs of clouds drifted gracefully against the blue sky. The coconut trees swayed with the wind as if performing a symphony. The people walking and playing on the beach looked like tiny toys. Far across the sea, a ship sailed slowly towards the coast. A flock of gulls played nonchalantly in the backwaters while a pair of chimneys of a factory peeped out from beneath the greenery standing testimony to the ambitions of human to emerge over nature. The sun had slowly started its descent towards the horizon spreading its golden hues all over the sea and the land. The light was perfect and so was the time.
The setting sun had turned everything on the beach to amber. The tide had ebbed and there were more people playing on the beach. The sea water had turned into molten gold. I had read that the Kapu Lighthouse beach was considered one of the best locations to witness sunset and the reasons were quite evident. Â The best part of my visit to Kapu beach came when the sun turned into a full ball of orange as it descended into the sea beyond the boulders. There were a few people having fun on the boulder and I made sure I froze the moment forever by capturing a few silhouettes.
I m sure I will see more beautiful sunsets and sunrises as I travel more. But, I would remember the day I visited the Kapu lighthouse beach forever as A day on which the sun painted the world gold! Have you ever been bewitched by sunsets? Which has been your favorite sunset destination? Let me know in the comments below.
Kaup beach is amongst the best beaches in India, I would rate it as No 3 beach after Malpe and Kovalam, good coverage
one of the best beaches I have ever been to is the Radhanagar beach in Havelock, Andaman. It is paradise for beach lovers. Wonderful pictures by the way, love them.
I really love the design/layout of your article it looks like it’s straight out of a travel magazine 🙂 I have never been to India but Kaup beach looks so nice that I would want to leave immediately!
Thanks much Kate. I m a great fan of the layouts used in magazines and hence the attempt to have the same look on my blog. Thanks to Divi, it is not that though to design the layout.
I have actually not been inside a lighthouse every before so it was curious to look at your photos and read about you experience, how to stairs would go narrow and narrow as you went towards the top. The view from up there looks wonderful! You have captured some really beautiful photos of the sunset!
Thanks, Joanna. The “first time inside a lighthouse” is definitely an experience to cherish. I hope you get to visit one soon.
Sindhu loved your pics. I love lighthouses myself. I find them so romantic shinning their light on the shore.
Thanks, Monica. I know what you mean about the shining trail of light extending into the foggy seascape. It is both romantic and intriguing.
You have taken beautiful photos and it sounds so relaxing. Very inspired to get myself to India soon
Lighthouses are amazing and you’ve captured this one perfectly! Kapu Lighthouse Beach is amazing, so rich with color – the blue of the sea, the almost orange coloured sand and the greenery in the background. Thank you for sharing the informative write up and beautiful pictures!
What a brilliant sunset, fit to be a postcard! I am always chasing sunsets myself, I have never been to Karnataka and also have not heard of the lighthouse you mention here but seems like it offers superb sunset views. Great work!
What a glorious beach! And the sunset photos are amazing. This looks like it was worth the trip. I am not a fan of steep stairs but I would have climbed up too.
Amazing photography! I really wanna go visit India soon, your post inspired me a lot. I love your blog, it’s so beautiful.! I wanna find that lighthouse and watch the sunset myself!
I think I first started to think of how beautiful the water is off the coast of India when I watched the Life of Pi. Kapu beach looks so amazing and all that lush greenery. It’s stunning. The sunset pictures you captured are absolutely gorgeous. The colors are stunning and everything is illuminated in that gorgeous color produced by the setting sun. Fantastic.
Absolutely stunning photos! Great post, thanks for sharing. Makes me want to go there
This beach sounds so incredible I wish I’d stopped for a visit! It’s really cool you went inside it too 🙂 great view from the top. Your pictures are awesome 🙂
Wow some incredible sunset shots!
That has got to be one of the most beautiful sunset photos I’ve seen. Good job! Personally, I have never reached the top of a lighthouse. I did climb one but the top part is forbidden so there. It’s kinda nerve-wracking indeed to climb up there and not see a view. I don’t have a fear of closed spaces but I think I’d still be paranoid. And I agree with you, the climb is sure worth it, the view is amazing.
Amazing sundown view. Enjoyed greatly your beautiful post with equally beautiful pics. Sunrise and sunsets are always unique, feel so elated that I have witnessed many.
Sunrise and sunset views are always unique. You have captured awesome sunset. Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning pictures Sindhu. The beach is really beautiful. And you are so right when you say Goa and Gokarna have become so popular while the rest of the beaches down south are kind of unexplored. That is why even we are planning a trip along the Mangalore to Gokarna route, discovering some beaches like these.
Never knew of Kapu beach… looks like I have missed this wonderful place inspite of touring the nearby places. It is a pity they don’t build lighthouses any more. Love the capture of the staircase.
absolutely a stunning sunset you witness. A sunset is like a reflection of a beautiful day that had just passed by. One of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen is in Bali, Indonesia. The vivid mixture of colors is so romantic in the eyes.
All your photos are so beautiful that makes me want to go there now. The beach, the sunset just perfect. Great post, thank you so much for sharing.
You got some beautiful pics there Sindhu! This place looks awesome – just by looking at the first image – pristine beaches are usually further away from bigger sities, so I had to look that up on the darksitefinder-site (a map showing light pollution on earth). Seems this might be also a great spot to take photos of a clear milkyway… having an interesting foreground such as some palmtrees & a lighthouse cannot be beaten.
Interesting! I like discovering more of India – it’s a place that is constantly on my travel bucket list!! I love sunsets more than sunrises (I mean who likes getting up at 4am when on vacation?!) And my favourite place hmm… I think it’s yet to be discovered. I’m going to Burma in a week and will try to catch some of them in Bagan, over beautiful temples. Wish me good luck!
Incredible photos. Give me another prospective for India! Nice destination to be 🙂
Lovely photos, really like the sunsets ones. Great silhouettes
I have very fond memories of Kapu beach as it was one of the first visits to my in-laws place. I loved the beach itself for its serenity. It was fun climbing those stairs to get that view of the sea and the beach from Kapu Lighthouse. Your pictures have got me so nostalgic 🙂 – especially that of the sunset. Gorgeous pics. Thanks for awakening those lovely memories
Kapu beach looks amazing – pristine sandy beach and hardly anyone in sight. Paradise! You captured the perfect sunset pictures from Kapu lighthouse beach. Would love to visit here one day. When we were road tripping around Australia, we saw some amazing sunsets!
These photos are so stunning. I shall see u this golden beach one day!
Wow, such a stunning location! I’ve never heard of this place or been anywhere near so this was enlightening.
I love that sunset! Kapu beach looks amazing, just like a paradise!
This sunset looks like the perfect postcard! You took some beautiful pictures
beautiful photos! have never seen photos of Indian beaches before… looks lovely
Wow it looks beautiful! Great sunset photo too 🙂 I would love to go there!
Karnataka is one of my favourite states in India. I think it is under rated an under promoted. I have not been to this beach. I visit Karnataka at least once a year. Will include this the next time. Thanks for a new travel goal.
Rightly said Abhinav. They don’t call Karnataka as One State Many Worlds for no reason. It is a pity the state is not promoted to its true potential in tourism.
Wow, loved the pictures. Equivalent to an aerial view of the beach. Lovely clicks. I think nothing is more comforting than seeing a clean beach in India. When you travel all the way to feel close to the nature and spend a relaxing time all that you desire for is a clean shore. I would certainly like to experience this one someday, till then I will recommend it to everyone else
I know what you mean Moinehr about clean beaches in India. As difficult as it may be to find pristine beaches close to popular locations, but there are definitely many beaches untouched by the crowded in India and hope they remain that way.
ahh wonderful beach with a lighthouse. my mom loveeeessss lighthouses. i will share this post with her.
I m glad you like it Brittany.
This looks like such a perfect paradise and I am in love with your stunning photos, especially the ones of the golden sunset! I definitely wouldn’t have thought this was in India, but wow, I’m blown away. For sure adding this to my bucket list and hoping I can cross it off soon!
Thank you, Jas for your appreciation. Kapu is no less than a paradise.
This is a real revelation. I was not aware of the existence of this gorgeous beach. Looks so pristine and untouched. Always love lighthouses and this one looks lovely. Have a fascination for lighthouses, they have such a romantic aura around them.
You are quite right with that Sandy. Lighthouses have always held me fascinated for the same reason.
Thank you for writing this blog on Light house beach of Karnataka.The images shown here are beautiful and awesome.This beach is paradise for beach lover who love to visit beach and one of the most beautiful beach of India.