Owing to their abundant beauty, the northern areas naturally come to mind when talking about the top tourist attractions in Pakistan. However, most people remain unaware that enchantingly beautiful landscapes can be found throughout the country.
One such less-visited area is the islands in Karachi. If you want to explore the best islands in Karachi, you are on the right platform, as Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has come up with a list of some of the best islands in Karachi.
An Overview
| Karachi Islands | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Khiprianwala Island | Near Port Qasim, Landhi Town | Surrounded by scenic views of the Arabian Sea, part of the largest mangrove forest in Pakistan, coastal swamps experiencing land erosion. Basic facilities are lacking; access via fishermen’s boats. |
| Twin Islands (Bundal Island and Buddo Island) | Near Clifton Beach, Karachi | Comprising Bundal Island and Buddo Island, accessible from Clifton Beach. Previously known as Dingi Island (Bundal) and Bhundaar Island (Buddo). Localities like DHA Phase 8 and Do Darya are close by, serving as tourist attractions and livelihood for fishermen. |
| Baba and Bhit Islands | Near Kimari Town, Karachi | Located near Kimari Town, covering approximately 4km² with a small population. Recognized and popular compared to other islands in Pakistan. Historically used mainly for fishing. |
| Shams Pir | Near Karachi Harbour | Island village along the western edge of Karachi harbour, hosting a shrine of Hazrat Shams Pir. Surrounded by dense mangrove forests. Accessible via boat from Karachi harbour for exploration or fishing. |
| Charna Island | Near Mubarak Village, Karachi | Diver’s paradise and sports enthusiast’s hotspot. Close to Mubarak Village, popular for cliff diving, scuba diving, jet-skiing, snorkeling, and speed boating. Sports are regulated by the Pakistan Game Fishing Association (PGFA) and the Pakistan Navy. Marine Protected Area (MPA) was designated by Mangroves for the Future Programme in Pakistan. |
| New Island Found in Karachi | Near Kund Malir, Karachi | Emerged recently along the coastline of Kund Malir. The region is known for emerging islands due to trapped lithium gases and hydrates. Approximately 41km from Karachi. New islands have emerged and submerged in this region, as per past surveys. |
List of Best Islands in Karachi
The provincial capital of Sindh – Karachi is one of the most populous cities in Pakistan. Although every corner of the city has been explored completely, it is unfortunate that the islands nearby are yet to be explored. The islands in Karachi reflect blue hues and multiple shades, which are truly a sight to behold.
For those who want to explore the beauty of these islands and experience nature and marine life, the following is a list of some of the best islands in Karachi.
- Khiprianwala Island
- Twin Islands
- Baba and Bhit Islands
- Shams Pir
- Charna Island
- New Island Found in Karachi
Khiprianwala Island
Longitude | 67.1983864 |
Latitude | 24.7731755 |
Elevation | 2m / 7feet |
| Barometric Pressure | 101KPa |
Located near Port Qasim and Landhi Town, Khiprianwala Island has a scenic view of the Arabian Sea. The Twin islands are also located near the southeastern side of this island. Visitors have reported that with each passing day, Khiprianwala Island is losing its land to the sea and sinking. Moreover, coastal swamps can be found on the island. They are part of the largest mangrove forest in Pakistan.
The island is still pretty much hidden and unexplored, so it lacks basic facilities. That’s why most tourists and visitors are reluctant to visit this place, leaving it unexplored. However, if you wish to visit the Island, you will find many fishermen nearby; ask them to accompany you, or you can hire their boat.
Since Khiprianwala island is situated near Port Qasim, the nearby sea area is pretty popular among the fishermen. It houses a variety of sea creatures. Following are some of the types of fish found near Khiprianwala Island.
- Rainji
- Heera
- Palla
- Luar
- Dhothar
- Bangra
- Dandia
- Sufaid Papleit
- Baam
Twin Islands (Bundal Island and Buddo Island)
| Longitude | 67.123909 |
| Latitude | 24.7248221 |
| Elevation | 0m / 0feet |
| Barometric Pressure | 101KPa |
Situated near the coastline of Clifton beach, Karachi, Bundal Island and Buddo Island are commonly known as Twin Islands. Among the people living nearby, Buddo and Bundal islands were previously known as “Dingi Island” and “Bhundaar Island,” respectively.
The residents of DHA Phase 8 and Do Darya have the luxury of conveniently visiting the island, as these areas are situated near the islands. These localities are famous for having luxurious eateries and fine-dining restaurants.
During nighttime, the restaurants see many visitors, so it is not easy to find the islands. However, if you want to explore the islands, you should know that you can access Bundal Island quite easily from the seashore, and Buddo Island is located on the western side of it.
Besides being a tourist attraction, these two islands serve as the fundamental source of livelihood for numerous fishermen. During regular days, they are the most frequent visitors to the islands; however, on the occasion of the annual “Urs” of Saint Yusuf Shah, the devotees rush to this place.
If you want to experience the festivities of the “Urs,” visit the island during the “Urs” days. Another interesting fact about the Twin Islands is that the islands were boosted in popularity because of Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. The nearest city gateway is DHA Phase 8 Karachi.
Baba and Bhit Islands
Latitude | 24.8175° or 24° 49′ 3″ north |
Longitude | 66.9627° or 66° 57′ 46″ east |
| Elevation | 9 metres (30 feet) |
The two islands of Baba and Bhit are located near Kimari Town, Karachi. These islands cover an area of approximately 4km, and the population of the area is also very small—around 25000.
For many years, the area was not given proper attention by the government, so it was mostly used only for fishing. Compared to other islands of Pakistan, these islands are much more recognized and popular.
Shams Pir
Latitude | 24.8441° or 24° 50′ 39″ north |
Longitude | 66.9218° or 66° 55′ 19″ east |
| Elevation | 9 metres (30 feet) |
Shams Pir is an island village near Karachi, along the western edge of Karachi harbor. It is located next to Kakapir and Sandspit beach. This island was named after Hazrat Shams Pir, as it hosts his shrine.
The island comprises a population of 5000 people. A dense layer of mangrove forests surrounds this small village island. If you want to visit the island for exploring or fishing purposes, you can hire a boat from Karachi harbor.
Charna Island in Karachi
Longitude | 66.6042494 |
Latitude | 24.8990061 |
Elevation | 57m / 187feet |
| Barometric Pressure | 101KPa |
One of the most popular gateways found in Karachi is Charna Island. It is also known as a diver’s paradise. You should visit the island if you are a sports enthusiast and live in Karachi. From the main city, the distance of the island is a 1.5-hour cruise ride.
It is closely conjoined to the coastline of Mubarak Village, one of the best spots for fishing in Karachi. Only sports enthusiasts and fishermen visit Charna Island. Most areas of the island are under the occupation of the Pakistan Game Fishing Association (PGFA) and the Pakistan Navy. Some of the most popular sports played near Charna island include cliff diving, scuba diving, jet-skiing, snorkelling and speed boating.
The best time of the year to explore the island is during the month of February and March. Many tourism companies offer attractive packages for groups and individuals during this time.
Moreover, Charna Island is also a prominent wildlife shelter. The National Coordinating Body of the Mangroves for the Future Programme Pakistan has taken several measures over the years to proclaim Charna Island in Karachi as a Marine Protected Area (MPA).
New Island Found in Karachi
By the end of last year, a new island in Karachi emerged along the coastline of Kund Malir. This region is popular for new islands, mainly because of the lithium gasses and hydrates entrapped in the bottom of the ocean floor.
The total distance from Karachi to this new island is 41 km. According to a 2013 survey, numerous islands emerged in the coastal region, but later on, they submerged again into the ocean.
These are some of the best islands in Karachi, perfect for a weekend getaway to shake off a dull routine. For more information, visit Graana blog, Pakistan’s first online real estate marketplace.
