From mangrove forests to centuries-old temples, Pakistan’s southern coast holds the key to unforgettable eco-tourism and cultural experiences.

Pakistan is blessed with over one thousand kilometers of coastline, rich in natural, historical, and religious sites that hold immense potential for fostering coastal tourism. However, there is little information available about this picturesque southern region of the country. This is evident from the fact that the majority of Pakistanis prefer spending their vacations in northern Pakistan. While a few TV channels have begun highlighting Pakistan's tourism potential, most of their programs are filmed in central or northern regions. Consequently, the vast potential of coastal tourism in Pakistan remains largely unexplored and untapped.

At GhoraBari, near the town of Keti bandar, a beautiful estuary marks the confluence of the Indus River and the Arabian Sea, surrounded by lush green pastures.

Pakistan’s coastline can be divided into two sections, using Karachi as the reference point. To the east lies the Sindh Coast, a stunning blend of mangrove forests and creeks weaving through the landscape. Pakistan is home to the fifth-largest mangrove forest in the world, which begins at Korangi Creek, near Karachi, and extends to Sir Creek in the east, where the maritime boundary between Pakistan and India remains disputed.

The Makran Coastal Highway runs along the entire coastline, offering a delightful travel experience. Numerous exquisite sites, including Hingol National Park, mud volcanoes, Hinglaj Mata’s temple, centuries-old graveyards, ancient forts, a World War II airbase, water cisterns, Victoria Hut, and a wooden boat-building yard, are among the renowned attractions of the region.

At Ghorabari, near the town of Keti bandar, a beautiful estuary marks the confluence of the Indus River and the Arabian Sea, surrounded by lush green pastures. During winter, numerous migratory birds flock to this area, adding vibrant colors and life to the enchanting region. The mangroves are denser near the Indus but become sparser as one moves farther away, particularly in the eastern direction. The creeks form a unique ecosystem, and together with the mangroves, they create an excellent habitat for a rich variety of marine resources.
The creeks area is home to high-quality fish, prawns, and lobsters. A unique type of fish called mudfish, which can survive both on land and in water, is abundant here and is primarily used by fishermen as bait. Since the creeks are tide-dependent and their orientation changes significantly between high and low tides, navigating them requires caution. According to local wisdom, each creek has one steep bank and one gentle bank. The steeper bank always provides sufficient depth for boats, even during the lowest tides.

A special breed of camels, known as ‘Kharai’ camels, is also found in the creeks area. These camels feed on saline vegetation and can swim across miles of creeks to graze on mangroves. The mangroves produce a unique type of honey that is exceptionally pure, rare, and consequently expensive. This honey is made exclusively from mangroves and contains no syrup from other plants, making it the purest form of mangrove honey.
The islands within the creeks area feature mausoleums, and their anniversaries are celebrated with great enthusiasm. These week-long celebrations attract people of all ages, who travel daily by boat to attend. Temporary bazaars are set up for the festivities, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Several towns in the region connect the creeks to the mainland, offering reasonable accessibility. Numerous fishing jetties also serve as potential starting points for tourists. The creeks act as waterways for mobility within the area and present significant opportunities for eco-tourism, religious tourism, and local trade.  
To the west of Karachi lies the breathtaking Makran Coast, a hallmark of scenic beauty. Virgin sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and muddy mountains create an epitome of enchantment. The Makran Coastal Highway runs along the entire coastline, offering a delightful travel experience. Numerous exquisite sites, including Hingol National Park, mud volcanoes, Hinglaj Mata’s temple, centuries-old graveyards, ancient forts, a World War II airbase, water cisterns, Victoria Hut, and a wooden boat-building yard, are among the renowned attractions of the region.
However, the area boasts many other unique features that deserve attention. These include moving sand dunes, hammerheads (land formations shaped like a hammer extending into the sea), numerous bays and beaches, turtle nesting sites, wind-carved rocky structures, and communities descended from Portuguese and Turkish armies, whose distinct features set them apart from the local Makranis.
The region has excellent trafficability due to a well-developed road network, and all key locations are easily accessible. Cellular coverage is also available along the Makran Coastal Highway and in nearby towns and cities. The last Pakistani town on the Makran Coast is Jiwani, located on the shores of Gawatar Bay, where the maritime boundary between Pakistan and Iran is delineated.

The area boasts many other unique features that deserve attention. These include moving sand dunes, hammerheads (land formations shaped like a hammer extending into the sea), numerous bays and beaches, turtle nesting sites, wind-carved rocky structures, and communities descended from Portuguese and Turkish armies, whose distinct features set them apart from the local Makranis.

The important cities and towns along the Makran Coast include Gadani, Sonmiani, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Pishukan, Ganz, and Jiwani. Gwadar Port, often referred to as the jewel in the crown of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is also situated along the Makran Coast.
Overall, the region offers excellent opportunities for historical, religious, adventure, and environmental tourism. However, despite these prospects, tourism in the area has not flourished, primarily due to a lack of facilities and perceptions of insecurity. While the former is largely true and requires serious attention, the latter is mostly a misconception. The area is generally secure, and the local population is friendly, cooperative, welcoming, and peaceful. They are predominantly fishermen by profession and strongly desire stability in their region. Security issues, when they arise, are almost always instigated by external elements.
Observing the activities of miscreants in the area, it is evident that they avoid harming locals, as it undermines their narrative. This limitation can be strategically exploited by the government to its advantage. Employing locals in tourism activities would naturally restrict the miscreants from carrying out their nefarious designs. Such involvement would not only boost tourism but also stimulate the local economy, contributing significantly to the government's ongoing economic initiatives.
Tourism, in itself, will attract people to these remote areas, and their increased presence will inherently enhance security. Pakistan's geographical location offers the Central Asian Republics (CARs) the shortest access to the sea. As landlocked nations, the people of CARs have limited or no experience with the sea or coastlines, making visits to Pakistan's coastline a uniquely thrilling experience for them.
The tourism potential along Pakistan's coastline is immense, but it remains largely untapped as a source of economic growth. This potential can also be leveraged to attract foreign tourists, though it is essential for Pakistanis to explore and promote these places first. There is an urgent need to develop the necessary facilities to accommodate tourists, which, in turn, will generate substantial revenue for the national exchequer.