Karwar, Karnataka | Having been to Goa more times than I can count, I had grown used to its infectious energy, the beach shacks buzzing with music, streets throbbing with scooters, and sunsets shared with hundreds of fellow travellers. But on my last trip, I craved something different. I longed for silence and a kind of place where the sea whispers instead of roars.
That's what led me to Karwar, a small coastal town just two hours south of Goa. Tucked quietly between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Karwar felt like a gentle exhale after the chaos. What I found there wasn't just a quieter version of Goa but a destination with its soulful rhythm, and my stay at Cintacor Island Resort added to the charm. Accessible only by boat, the resort is nestled on a private island, surrounded by pristine waters and rocky cliffs. With its wooden cabins perched above the sea and sunsets that felt entirely my own, it was the kind of off-grid escape that invites you to slow down, unplug, and simply be.