Churna Island A Lifetime Experience

Located near Mubarak village, Karachi, Churna is a small island in the Arabian Sea. It is approximately 9 km from the Hub River also known as “Manjhar Beach”, which is between the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. The Island itself is around 1.2 km in length and 0.5 km in width. It is 6 km from Mubarak Village which is also the second largest fishermen settlement in Karachi and the boundary between the Balochistan and Sindh.

Churna, locally known as ‘Cheerno’, is famous for its clear water, coral reefs and marine life and for many activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, underwater photography, cliff jumping, jet skiing, hiking, banana tubing, surfing, speed boating etc.

The mesmerizing sea is bound to relax your mind and heal your soul.

For a seamless experience, we decided to take a local provider that offers experiences at Churna Island.

The chosen meeting point was Boat Basin, Clifton. The drive from Karachi to Mubarak village is about 1.5 hours and takes another 45 - 50 minutes’ boat ride to the anchor point. The route we took was Gulbai to Mauripur to Mubarak village. People also take a boat ride from Sunehri beach which is a 2-minute drive (800 m) from Manjhar Goth, which is where we embarked. Goth Manjhar is a small fishermen settlement and often used as a firing range by Pakistan Navy.

We each slipped into the life vests (mandatory) provided by the staff and piled into a small wooden boat. It was October and the perfect weather with gorgeous migratory birds in sight - a brilliant place for bird lovers.

You have to follow the guiding ropes installed on the water surface of the snorkeling area, which is a depth of around 10 to 15 ft.

As we had never snorkeled before, my son and I felt an adrenaline rush as we watched hordes of people diving in one by one. If you are a non-swimmer you will have a little trouble getting used to the mask, the snorkel, breathing with your head underwater and the triumphant blue, bitter salty sea that you just cannot avoid gulping.

We stayed in the water for almost 4 hours and as you swim towards the rocks you will spot different sea creatures.

• Read reviews about the company you use and be on time.

• Have a light breakfast before the boat ride to avoid seasickness and nausea.

• Best to stop for a bathroom break near Manjhar Village.

• Carry your ID.

• On a bright sunny day, one must carry water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

I caught sight of a seahorse, jellyfish, a loose cluster of small fish and many stripped green and yellow fish gleaming under bright sun beams.

It was mid-afternoon and we were called for lunch on the boat. A bit of a chill you feel as you pull yourself up! No point bringing extra clothes since there is no place to change on the boat. It was sunny and the sun warmed us as we ate. It was a joy watching them as we wolfed-down the aromatic savory rice dish.

Time to bid farewell and sail back to the shore before the sun disappears below the horizon.

• Travel light and take only what is necessary on the boat (carry a towel and something warm to wear over later). Don’t leave behind your valuables such as, wallet, cash, cell phone, camera etc.

• Footwear that’s water friendly / water safe / water appropriate.

• Don’t wear anything that would weigh you down in water (avoid jeans / double layered trousers/ thick shirts).

• Respect the sea life under water and do not litter.

• Buses / public transport to Mubarak Village or Sunhera Beach are not-frequent.

• Snorkeling kit includes diving mask, snorkel (device / a tube for breathing in water surface), life jacket, wet suits (optional for cold weather).

• Male and female instructors and lifeguards available (double-check before signing up)

• Large number of men, women and children were swimming in the sea and clicking pictures but no disorderly conduct.

• The company we opted for was cooperative, courteous and professional.

Routes

• Distance from Mubarak Village to Charna is 6 km

• Distance from Manjhar Beach to Charna is 9 km

• Distance from the center of the city to Manjhar beach its 50 km

Due to the absence of high tides, the sea is calm, therefore the best time to snorkel is from November until April. It is a natural phenomenon that the water feels much warmer during the winters as compared to summers. The average temperature of the water in winter is said to be not more than 25 degrees. September to April (all winter months - wetsuits will be provided upon request).

• Early morning to evening

• Night stay and camping not possible.

Born and raised in Karachi, Naba found it extremely difficult to step out of her comfort zone as a single parent to explore Pakistan as a solo traveler. A teacher by profession, her passion for adventure began in 2013 which inspired her to explore the unprecedented mountain ranges of Pakistan. She enjoys sharing her experiences, Pakistani hospitality, lives and stories, culture, cuisine and simplicity of the people with the rest of the world through her pictures and travelogues. Her ultimate wish is to settle in the mountains where she dreams of establishing a learning center for underprivileged children and equipping them with digital skills so they can narrate the stories of the people of the mountains.