Clifton Beach, also known as Sea View, is a beach in

Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...

Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

and is located on the

Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...

. It stretches from Karachi to

Ormara Ormara ( Balochi and , ), is a town and tehsil in Gwadar District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is a port in the Makran coastal region. It is located west of Karachi and east of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. This port is also menti ...

(

Balochistan Balochistan ( ; , ), also spelled as Baluchistan or Baluchestan, is a historical region in West and South Asia, located in the Iranian plateau's far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea coastline. This arid region o ...

). The beach is very popular in Pakistan. It is open 24/7 for the general public. Karachi is the most prominent coastal city of Pakistan and beach lovers here have many opportunities to visit different beaches bordering the Arabian Sea. Clifton Beach is purported to give the best value in leisure and recreational opportunities for fun seekers and beach lovers. In recent times, the area surrounding the beach has seen massive commercial activity as it is located in one of the most sought after localities in Karachi. The beach offers multiple leisure activities including camel rides, buggy rides, horse rides, and plastic plane flying, among others. Across from the beach is the Seaview Apartments, a gated residential area. Other apartments and villas which can be seen along the Clifton beach coasts are becoming popular as well.

Restaurants and entertainment

Previously, Clifton Beach had only had a few small shops known as "Corniche Points", where visitors could buy things like mineral water, samosas, chai and other foodstuffs. Now, Clifton Beach offers a variety of restaurants, including a McDonald's, and is bustling with and a multitude of vendors that entertain visitors. Do Darya restaurant is located further away from the main beach area but is still one of the hottest dining spots in Karachi. Sites like Chunky Monkey have also opened up for families to enjoy rides at a reasonable prices. Extensive further revitalization is being planned. Clifton Beach offers family entertainment including camel rides, horse rides, and motorized buggy rides to the visitors.

Events

Clifton Beach is one of Karachi's major tourist attractions so most notable celebrations are done here by the citizens. A major event of the year is the New Year's celebration on the eve of 31 December each year. Also, the Pakistan Air Force now holds regular shows on Clifton Beach on important national events. These air shows consist of planes from the PAF showing acrobatics and flypasts to the audiences. The beach is also a prime location for private concerts, musical festivals, Holi celebrations and much more.

Attempts At Beautification & Uplift

In 2003 it was noted that historic sites were deteriorating because of government neglect and lack of sanitation facilities for tourists. The monuments at risk included Lady Lloyd Pier, Jehangir Kothari Pavilion and his bungalow,

Jehangir Kothari Parade Jehangir Kothari Parade () is a promenade in Karachi, Pakistan, built on land donated by Parsi businessman and philanthropist Jehangir Hormasji Kothari to the city of Karachi in 1919. It is situated on a hilltop on the Arabian Sea, in the Cl ...

, and the Katrak bandstand. In 2005, Clifton Beach Park was opened as part of the renovation of the historic Kothari Parade and Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim. In recent times, the local government and civil society has tried to make the place beautiful and tourist-friendly again. Attempts include the installation of themed dustbins in the shape of Giant Fish and cleanup campaigns by local civil society members. There have also been a few urban forests such as

Clifton Urban Forest Clifton Urban Forest is an urban forest project currently being developed near the affluent neighborhood and seaside of Clifton in Karachi, Pakistan. Planted using the Miyawaki technique. It now hosts over 800,000 tree saplings of dozens of spe ...

planted to improve the conditions and beauty of the area.

Background

Clifton Beach is considered as the most popular beach in Karachi. It was affected by an oil spill in 2003. A wreckage and cargo of

dhow Dhow (; ) is the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with settee or sometimes lateen sails, used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region. Typically sporting long thin hulls, dhows are trading vessels ...

caused the oil spill and polluted the beach; the crew members of the wrecked dhow were rescued by the

Pakistan Maritime Security Agency The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (reporting name: PMSA) () is a branch of the Pakistan Navy. It is a Navy-managed and Navy-controlled Law enforcement in Pakistan, Marine law enforcement agency whose mission is to provide protection to Pakis ...

]. The beach was closed for three days for removal of hay bales and cargo wreckage in the water. In 2005, the beach was revamped and upgraded.

Gallery

Arabian Sea in Karachi.jpg, Seaview in the evening. View of Arabian Sea from Clifton Beach, Karachi.jpg, A view of Clifton Beach, Karachi. Seaview Boats Karachi.jpg, Seaview Boats Seaview Karachi Camel.jpg, Seaview is crowded even in the afternoon Do Darya karachi.jpg, A view of Restaurants at Do Darya Karachi Do Darya.jpg, A view of Restaurants at Do Darya Karachi Clifton Beach Karachi.JPG, Clifton beach is popular for its camel rides.

Restaurants and entertainment

Events

Attempts At Beautification & Uplift

Background

Gallery

See also

References

Further reading