Boating Adventure: Fishing Around Charna Island

The Catch!

When the most of the city was busy in doing justice with the sacrificial meat, I thought of making a sea trip and discussed the idea with Tariq (University senior) and Waqar (work colleague) who asked me earlier if we could go somewhere during the long Eid holidays. I contacted the same boatman we made the Oyster Trip with. He told me that it would atleast need 15-20 people to justify the cost! So I contacted the family and friends around and got an overwhelming response to make a group of 17 adventurous souls.

It was a long day out; challenging and exhausting especially when most of us were not used to of sea voyages but at the end of the day it turned out to be a fully rewarding adventure.

We planned the trip early in the morning and everybody was punctual enough to make it to Kemari when the muezzin was calling for Fajar prayers. It took us some time to leave the port as the boatman could not arrange supplies in time. He had the valid excuse too as markets were closed due to Eid Holidays and then he might not be expecting us to be this prompt.

Things settled down once we reached the calm waters of the open sea after getting out of the rather turbulent Kemari-Manora channel. We sailed eventlessly along Karachi’s coastline and crossed Manora, Sands Pit, Hawks Bay, Cape Mount, Mubarak Village, Hubco Power Plant, and finally anchored near Charna.

Before the trip I thought we would be able to step on the island as was in the case of Oyster but it was impossible for the boat to dock there due to hidden underwater rocks. However, it was the fishing experience which made everyone’s day. Frankly speaking, it was my first fishing experience but as soon as I dropped the string I felt there was something. I was too excited and started screaming, forgetting to pull it back until a friend intervened. And believe me, I caught two fish in one go and that too in my first attempt – which must be some sort of a world record!

Soon there was exhilaration all around as almost everybody managed to bring something out of the sea. Fatima was the winner with a ~2kg Parrot Fish and ~1kg Sole Fish along with many other colorful varieties. In fact, it was amazing to see so colorful fish variety and an evidence why Charna is a favorite among scuba divers and snorkelers.

We were also accompanied by Oliver, my Couchsurfing guest from the UK and an avid traveler.

The return journey was more pleasant and cooler. Luckily, it was the full moon night and the sky was also clear. For the first time in my life, I saw the sun setting in the West and in the meantime full moon rising from the East. An experience of the lifetime!

Angler's Club with their Catch and Charna in the Background

Sunset Colors

Another Sunset Shot

And the Moonrise

Kemari Port

 Kemari - Charna Excursion Highlights 

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A = Kmeari, B = Charna Island

  

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013

Voyagers: 17 + 5 kids – Tariq’s Family, Waqar’s Family and his Cousins, Imran’s Family, Mine too, Oliver from UK, Nasreen and Fatima, Dr. Iqbal, Dr. Moeed, Nadeem, and Noman + 4 sailors

Catch: Parrotfish (Popat/Totamachi), Bream ((Dandia), Sole Fish, Red Snapper (Heera) and a variety of other colorful fish

Cost Per Head: Rs. 2,100 per person including 3 meals and fishing accessories, etc.

Food Menu (included): Breakfast; Prawn Biryani (Lunch); Prawn Karhai and Fried Fish (Dinner)

Timeline

05:00     Left Home

06:00     Reached Kemari

07:00     Got Onboard

08:00     Left Kemari

10:00     Crossed Manora; Breakfast Onboard

13:00     Reached Charna, Anchored, and Started Fishing

14:00     Lunch Onboard

16:00     Left Charna and Started the Return Journey

20:00     Anchored Near Manora for Dinner

22:00     Back to Kemari

23:00     Back Home

Lessons Learned: Food

Instead of 3, 1 meal, i.e. lunch, could have easily sufficed as all of us lost the appetite for dinner. For the breakfast, homemade sandwiches might have done better as well. Carrying seasonal fruits, especially citrus, would have also helped sea sickness.

Other Useful Tips

Carry your CNICs/Passports which will be checked at the check post

We got parking inside the jetty although there is a private secured parking outside also

Take tamarind (imli) along which is a local remedy for sea sickness

Photo Credits: Nadeem, Moeed, and Myself

Boating around Karachi’s Oyster Rocks

A Beautiful Karachi Sunset Around Manora Island

Oyster Rocks

There is a bunch of small islands in the proximity to Karachi’s southern coastal line with Manora in the West and Clifton’s Sea View in the East. These islands are usually frequented by amateur fishing enthusiasts but can also be a really good family excursion in a city which is usually dubbed as a commercial hubbub with little recreation opportunities.

(Zoom out for a clear picture of Oyster Rocks Location)

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Two in One: Rock Climbing with Seafood!

While pondering about where to take our expat guests who were not so impressed with the favorite local pastime, i.e. wandering around shopping malls, I shared this idea which got immediate support from the younger generation. After taking a nod from the family bureaucracy, I called Hasan – who is usually a quick resource in our friends circle for all things fun – and as expected, he knew someone at Kemari who arranges boating and crabbing tours. After a little haggling, I got a Rs. 10,000 deal which included sunset jaunt to the rocks along with the onboard seafood menu for 15 people (~650 per head).

Voyage-log:

We reached the jetty around 3:30 pm where Arif, that ‘someone’, received and helped us in parking our cars in the adjacent private parking – which was not an easy task otherwise due to the heavy traffic. By 4:00 we all got settled in the locally made boat and reached our destination in an hour or so. The sea was smooth and the weather was just perfect to enjoy both the cool sea breeze and the warm sunshine.

Our captain Ibrahim anchored the vessel rather casually around one of the rocks before we leaped onto the pebbly surface. The baccha party was really excited and within minutes they all reached to the top of the cliff with their parents yelling and following. Sights from the summit included Habib Bank Plaza on one hand and the open waters of the Arabian Sea on the other.

After an hour of fun, we descended back to the boat where Ibrahim was giving dum to the much wanted karak tea – included in the menu.

After having tea and snack, we left the makeshift harbor to catch the sunset near Manora Island. Behind us, jets of the KPT Fountain started blowing water high in the air while the sea started getting a bit rough, which only added to the fun of the excursion.  Once we entered back into the channel, where the water was much calm, Ibrahim docked the boat again, but this time in the middle of the sea, to prepare food in the onboard kitchen.

For me, the best part had yet to come, i.e. Seafood: Prawn Masala, fried fish, and crab lollypops; all fresh and supplemented with potato cutlass and spicy potato bhujia! I was so overwhelmed with the food that you can excuse me for not capturing those freshly cooked scrumptious dishes with the camera. 

The best part was also the last part, and we returned back to the jetty around 8 after another memorable picnic, Alhamdolillah!

Tourist Boat with the Carpeted Upper Compartment (Kemari, Karachi)

A Passenger Boat Leaving for Manora Island from Kemari, Karachi

A Liner Sailing Out of Kemari through Baba Channel (Karachi)

Fishermen Going Back to Kemari (Karachi) after a Day's Catch

Oyster Rocks (Karachi) Visible from the Boat

Giant Oyster Rock, Karachi

Summiting Karachi's Oyster Rock

Artificial Enclave Around Oyster Rocks, Karachi

Open Waters of the Arabian Sea near Karachi

Entering Back to the Chartered Territory

Fresh Jheera Prawns to be Served Shortly

Fresh Saram Fish

Tips

Warm clothes: Take layered clothing, especially hooded uppers as it gets windy and cold in the open sea even if the mercury is on the rise in the city center.

Parking: Car parking is available on an adjacent private facility for Rs. 100. Don’t bother taking the car into the Port.

CNIC: There is a Navy check-post right in the sea which requires showing CNICs of atleast each male voyager.

Season: Daytime is the best during winters (October-March) while evenings suit the hot summer weather.

Photography: Since it is a cantonment area, therefore, photography is prohibited, or discouraged actually, so being discrete as much as possible. (Btw, I used my cell phone for photography, and that too in the moving boat – the reason for low resolution pics)

First Aid: Keeping basic medicines would be wise, however, the whole journey remains in the city precinct and one can rush back quickly in case of an emergency.

Directions: See the below map from Karachi City Center (Hasan Square)

Advanced Booking: Though experienced folks go directly to the jetty and negotiate directly with the boatmen – booking one in advance was a good experience especially with the family in the tow in the chaotic port environment and pushy touts.

Other Interesting Day Trips Around Karachi:
The Great Canyon; Long Drive Around Makran Coastal Highway
Fish Massage and other Mysteries of Ranikot
Heritage Buildings Around Karachi's M. A. Jinnah Road