Charna Island can be found in Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan near Mubarak Goth and Kiamari Town. Churna Island, a remote and uninhabited island in the Arabian Sea, is 9 km (5.6 miles) west of the Hub River’s mouth. Manohar Beach” At the border of Balochistan provinces and Sindh provinces.
Charna Island measures 1.2 km (0.75 mi) in length and 0.5 km (0.31 mi) high. Charna is also called “Cheerno”, in the area. Mubarak Village can be found 6 km away. Mubarak Goth fishermen go fishing around Charna Island. The second-largest Karachi fishing community, Mubarak Goth, lacks basic facilities like schools, health care, jetties and ownership rights.
This scenic spot has been attracting many tourists from Karachi and surrounding areas in recent years. Charna Island, pre-pandemic was known for its adventurous hobbies, such as snorkeling and diving, along with its natural beauty.
In Pakistan, there are many beaches in the Balochistan province, and visiting these beaches is a common weekend getaway for residents of Karachi and the surrounding areas. Charna Island, one of the few beaches that allow water sports, is also one of the few beaches that permit scuba diving. It is located near Mubarak Village and only 1.5 hours from the center of the city.
Background of Charna Island
Churna is primarily used by the Pakistan Navy as a shooting range. It is used by tourists for freediving and snorkeling.
Charna is renowned for its diverse marine life and coral reefs. Yousuf Ali (founder of Karachi Scuba Diving Centre), says that there are over 60 types of corals near Charna waters. “Many new corals started to thrive after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.” A large number of jellyfish can still be found in October.
The island, which was formerly called Cheerno is 1.5 hours away from the main center. Charna Island is only inhabited by tourists and water sports fans, as it is near the coast of Mubarak Village, one of Karachi’s best fishing spots.
The landmass is dominated by the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Game Fishing Association, which makes it a haven for sea explorers. Popular activities close to Charna Island include scuba diving, snorkeling, and jet-skiing.
Wildlife on Charna Island
On September 14, 2017, a mother blue whale was seen with her cub near the island. The mother was 17 meters in circumference. This was the first time a blue whale had been sighted in Pakistani waters. Previous sightings were limited to dead whale skeletons. The most recent sighting was in August 2014 Khuddi Creek, along the Sindh coast.
This area has seen 47 baleen whale sightings, but none have been blues. On November 22, 2017, a killer whale was seen near the island. This is unusual as killer whales prefer deep waters, and the water in which the whale was spotted was only 72 meters deep. This was also the first sighting of a killer whale in Karachi since 2003.
Other aquatic life that can be found close to Charna includes the yellow-bellied sea serpent, Spanish mackerel, Spanish mackerel with narrow bars, cobia, and mahi-mahi. The Pakistan Game Fishing Association organizes national angling tournaments near Charna. A large variety of big game species are attracted to the abundance of coral reefs surrounding this island. This natural treasure is being endangered by illegal net sizes used by fishing trawlers.
National Marine Park
Charna Island’s aquatic life is at risk due to a serious environmental problem. There are approximately 55 coral reef species found in the shallow and deep waters of the island. Some have seen extreme coral bleaching.
Prime minister Imran KhanA briefing was ordered on the topic by the premier. After that, Malik Amin Aslam (Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change) visited the island to assess the situation. It should also be designated a “marine protected zone”, making it the second such island, after Astola Island.
The Darwin Initiative Project established coral species that were found only in small numbers on Astola Island and Charna Island. These corals have started to bleach in Pakistan, signaling their imminent danger. There are many bright coral colors in the ocean. However, bleaching is caused by changes in their environment. Corals lose their color and turn white.
Climate change has led to seawater temperatures rising. This causes bleaching. Rising water contamination is another threat to aquatic life, in addition to the extremely warm weather.
Coral Reefs in Charna Island
Although coral reefs are often mistaken for trees, they are actually colonies of animals living underwater. With 25 percent of all aquatic species dependent on coral reefs, they are one of the most important habitats. They provide food and medicine for humans, as well as reducing the impact of storm surges like hurricanes or typhoons.
The coral reef becomes a white-colored organism due to the bleaching process. This is a reflection of the harshness of the environment. Although corals can tolerate bleaching they are less likely to survive high-stress levels and eventually die.
Charna Island Facts
Distance from Manjhar Beach towards Charna Island: 9 km Churna Island, a rock island without sand beaches, is 9 km.
The distance between Manjhar beach and the city center is 50 km.
It measures 1.2 km in length and 0.5 km high.
The On-season is from September to April (All winter)
November through February are the best times to visit.
There are many activities that you can do in the area, including tours of the city or water sports.
Average tours last from the early morning to the late evening.
Camping and night stay are not allowed
Only island near Karachi that has sparkling blue weather
Mountain resisting currents and wind makes for calm water
Charna Island: Best Time to Visit
Charna Island, in the Arabian Sea, is known for its swimming and water sports. When the tides are low, this is the best time to visit the island to enjoy these activities. Private water sports and dive clubs often make trips to the island from September through April. Although the water temperature is lower in these months than it is in summer, the water is still cool. It is a good idea that you check the weather forecast before you travel. You will also need to verify the tide forecast for the hours you are traveling.
Charna Island Weather
The wind and weather statistics for Charna Island in Pakistan include details about the average local wind speed as well as the air temperature. A special diagram shows the wind direction for each year and illustrates it on the globe. These charts for Charna Island in Pakistan were created based on historical data.
Charna Island Map
It is approximately a 1.5-hour boat ride from the region. Charna Island is only accessible by tourists and watersports enthusiasts since it is near Mubarak Village, Karachi’s most popular fishing spot.
Do these Activities at Charna Island
The sea is calm and there are no high tides so you can visit Charna at any time. However, the best time to snorkel is between November-April. The water feels colder in winter than it does in summer, this is a fact.
Cliff jumping another attraction is the famous “Ski Jump” which is performed at 30-50 feet above Charna. It is a thrilling experience to jump into pure blue water at such an elevated height.
It’s great fun to ride.jet skiCharna. There is nothing like the feeling of speeding across the water with the wind in the ears. Jet skiing with friends adds an extra dimension to the thrill.
SpelunkingIt is the safe passage through a cave to reach a destination, and then returning to the surface.
There are many options for private trips, with each offering its own set of facilities and events. These are just a few of the many events that contribute to the island’s overcrowding.
Snorkeling can be done in any water sport.
Scuba diving involves you submerging your body.
Scuba diving down a Cliff
Jet-skiing is a very popular water sport.
A speedboat trip
These events are usually timed to coincide the seasons. For example, in Pakistan, the season for snorkeling runs from October through March. Tourists can also contact private clubs to organize events on Charna Island in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
How to get to Charna IslandWhat is the best way to get started?
To reach Charna Island, it would be a good idea to first travel to Mubarak village (also known as Mubarak Goth). It takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to drive there from Karachi, which is 46 km away. You can drive in any 2WD vehicle from Karachi to Mubarak Goth.
You will board a boat to take you to Charna Island. It is approximately 6 km offshore. You can rent the entire boat or pay per person.
Charna Island offers a variety of ways to explore the island once your feet touch the ground. You can either walk the island or hire a bike from the locals. It measures approximately 1.2 km in length and 0.5 km wide.
Group Travel
A lot of travel companies organize one-day trips to Charna. They charge between 2,500 and 3,500 Pakistani rupees per person. You can travel by air-conditioned bus from Karachi to Mubarak Village, then luxury boats from Mubarak Village to Charna Island. You can also get diving supplies and experienced driving instructors. The tours typically start with an early morning departure from Karachi and end with visitors being dropped off at Karachi’s pickup point. It is a good idea to travel with a trusted community if you’re going on a quick one-day tour.
Food Points
Due to the high volume of daily visitors, Charna Island’s surroundings are quickly being commercialized with numerous Desi Dhaba-styled local cafés offering local cuisines and soft beverages.
Transport and accommodation
A few resorts are available, although they aren’t very luxurious but offer adequate accommodation.
Public transportation in the city is difficult to access so you will need to plan your 2-way transport or join a travel group to enjoy your trip.
Conclusion
The best time to visit Charna Island is between February and March. Many tour companies in Karachi offer attractive packages for individuals and groups. We have provided information about Charna Island in this article.