Things to Do in Bet Dwarka: 12 Island Experiences

A sacred island of temples, beaches and legend, Bet Dwarka is one of the most rewarding day trips on the Dwarka coast. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, rounds up the best things to do on the island, from devotion and dolphins to sunsets and shopping. For the full logistics of reaching and timing your visit, see our complete Bet Dwarka guide; this page is about the experiences that make the island special.

Things to do in Bet Dwarka at a glance

Why Bet Dwarka is worth a day

Bet Dwarka, also called Beyt Dwarka or Shankhodhar, is a sacred island about 30 km north of Dwarka town, tied deeply to the story of Lord Krishna, who is believed to have lived here with his family. What makes it special is the sheer variety packed into one small island: ancient temples and living devotion sit alongside quiet beaches, coral-fringed shores, dolphins and birdlife, plus the simple joy of the ferry ride out. Few places on the Gujarat coast blend pilgrimage and nature so easily, which is why a Bet Dwarka day trip is a highlight of any Dwarka visit, rewarding pilgrims and casual travellers alike.

1. Take the ferry and feed the seagulls

The adventure begins with the ferry ride itself. Crossing from Okha port to the island takes about 20 minutes and in the winter months the boats are followed by clouds of migratory seagulls that swoop and dive for snacks thrown by delighted passengers. It is one of the most joyful and photographed experiences on the whole Dwarka to Bet Dwarka distance journey and a magical start to your island day, especially for children and first-time visitors.

2. Take darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple

The heart of Bet Dwarka is its Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Keshavraiji temple, believed to mark the spot where Lord Krishna lived with his family and met his childhood friend Sudama. Rich with legend and devotion, the temple is the main reason most pilgrims come to the island. Join the darshan queue, soak in the atmosphere of chanting and bells and offer your prayers at one of the most sacred sites on the Dwarka coast. The temple complex houses several shrines, including those dedicated to Krishna's queens and the daily aartis here are moving to witness, filling the sea air with devotion.

3. Visit the Hanuman Dandi temple

A few kilometres from the main temple, the Hanuman Dandi temple is one of the most unusual shrines in India, as it depicts Lord Hanuman together with his son Makardhwaja, a rare portrayal you will find in few other places. Set amid greenery away from the crowds, it is a peaceful and offbeat stop and a favourite of those who like to seek out the island's quieter, more distinctive corners on a spiritual walk.

4. Pay respects at the Bethakji and Shankh Talav

For Vaishnava pilgrims, the island holds the sacred Bethakji of Shri Mahaprabhuji, the 62nd of his 84 Baithaks, set above the Shankh Talav lake at Bet Shankhodhar. The Shankh Talav itself is linked to the legend of Lord Matsya slaying the demon Shankhasura, which gives the island its other name, Shankhodhar. Even if you are not a Pushtimarg devotee, these quiet, legend-soaked spots add a deeper layer to the island beyond the main temple.

5. Relax on the island's beaches

Bet Dwarka is ringed by long, quiet beaches with soft sand and clear water, far calmer and less crowded than many mainland shores. Away from the temple bustle, they are perfect for a peaceful walk, a paddle in the shallows or simply sitting and watching the fishing boats and the sea. The island's beaches are among its most underrated pleasures, offering a gentle, restful counterpoint to the devotion of the temples and a welcome chance to slow down, breathe the sea air and let the pace of island life wash over you.

6. Explore Dunny Point for nature

At the far, untouched tip of the island lies Dunny Point, Gujarat's first eco-tourism site, reached by a longer boat ride. Ringed by coral and clear blue water, it is a haven for nature lovers, with dolphins, seabirds, starfish and pristine, commercialisation-free shores and some visitors even camp overnight under the stars. A visit needs a boat and sometimes prior permission, so plan ahead, but the reward is a rare taste of wild, unspoiled coast.

7. Try boating and water sports

Beyond the ferry, the waters around Bet Dwarka offer boat rides and, at times, simple water sports, letting you enjoy the sea from a different angle. Local boat operators run trips around the island and to its farther points and a gentle cruise on the calm coastal water, with the temples and shore in view, is a lovely way to spend part of your day and to reach the more remote corners of the island.

8. Shop for conch shells and souvenirs

Bet Dwarka has long been famous as a major source of conch shells or shankhas, treasured in Vaishnava worship for their sacred sound. Around the temple you will find stalls selling beautiful conches of all sizes, along with prasad, prayer beads, images of Krishna and other devotional souvenirs. Picking up a shankha or a small keepsake here, from the very island renowned for them, makes for a meaningful memento of your pilgrimage.

9. Watch the sunset over the sea

As the day winds down, the island's western shores offer beautiful sunsets over the Arabian Sea, with the sky glowing in shades of orange and pink above the water and the boats. Finding a quiet spot on the beach or by the shore to watch the sun sink into the sea is a serene, almost meditative way to end your visit and a memory of Bet Dwarka that stays with you long after the ferry ride back.

10. Discover the island's offbeat points

For the more adventurous, the farther reaches of Bet Dwarka hold offbeat points like Sundarvan and Shankh Holiya, remote, windswept stretches of shore and shrines reached on a longer walk or boat ride. Wild and almost empty, they are for travellers who want to trade the temple queues for solitude and sea views. A local guide and a boat are useful here, but the sense of discovery is well worth the effort.

11. Soak in the pilgrimage atmosphere

Beyond any single sight, one of the best things to do in Bet Dwarka is simply to wander the temple lanes and absorb the island's unique devotional atmosphere. Watch the rituals and aartis, listen to the temple bells and the sea, share the joy of fellow pilgrims and feel the deep, timeless sanctity of a place tied so closely to Lord Krishna's story. It is an experience of mood and feeling as much as of specific places.

12. Spot dolphins and birdlife

The waters and shores around Bet Dwarka are surprisingly rich in wildlife. On boat trips, especially towards Dunny Point, you may spot dolphins breaking the surface, while the island's beaches and the nearby marine areas attract seabirds and, in season, migratory birds. Keep your camera and binoculars handy, respect the wildlife from a distance and enjoy the natural side of an island better known for its temples. This mix of the sacred and the wild, dolphins and darshan in a single day, is exactly what makes Bet Dwarka such a memorable place to spend your time.

Tips for visiting Bet Dwarka

A few pointers make the island day smoother:

• Take the ferry from Okha early and check the return timings; a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can handle the drive to Okha.

• Check the temple and ferry hours before you go, as they can change with the season, tides and festivals.

• Carry water, a hat and sun protection, as the island is warm and fairly open with little shade.

• Dress modestly for the temples and respect the devotional atmosphere.

• Plan Dunny Point and the offbeat points in advance, as they need a boat and sometimes permission.

• Keep valuables safe and wear comfortable shoes for walking the lanes and shores.

How to plan your Bet Dwarka visit

Most visitors do Bet Dwarka as a half-day or full-day trip from Dwarka, driving the roughly 30 km to Okha and taking the ferry across. Plan the season with the best time to visit Dwarka, check the Bet Dwarka temple timings and read our Dwarka history to understand the island's deep past. Combine the trip with the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and the sights in our Dwarka city guide for a full and rewarding day on the coast.

Plan your Bet Dwarka trip

Experience My India can build Bet Dwarka and its experiences into a smooth Dwarka trip, along with Somnath. Use our how to reach Dwarka guide to plan your arrival, book Somnath Dwarka hotels near the temple and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages arrange the ferry, the island and the whole itinerary with a car and driver.

Related guides

To plan the rest of your Dwarka trip, these Experience My India guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Bet Dwarka island trip and the whole Dwarka circuit. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.