Camping on the Makran coast means pitching your own tent on an open beach with no official campsite, no shop and no water supply. The best-known spot is Kund Malir, within Hingol National Park, about three to three and a half hours from Karachi. Other beaches near Ormara, Pasni and Gwadar are used by local fishermen and by a few groups, and Astola Island is camped on from boat trips out of Pasni. The season is October to March, when it is cooler.
There is no single permit that covers "camping on the Makran coast", so this guide is about where camping is normal, what you must check with the authorities, which places to leave alone, and how to keep the risk low in a province the UK advises against visiting.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Established campsites | None. All camping is informal, on open beaches |
| Most used spot | Kund Malir beach, Hingol National Park |
| Best months | October to March |
| Permit for the highway | None reported, but CNIC checks at checkpoints |
| Permit for camping on the beach | None reported at Kund Malir; check locally, as rules can change |
| Facilities | None: bring tent, food, water, fuel, rubbish bags |
| Cash | Essential; card payments are essentially unavailable |
| Night driving | Not advised; public transport was barred at night in 2025 |
Where do people camp?
Kund Malir. This is the main camping beach, a wide stretch of sand where the Hingol River meets the sea, backed by cliffs. Camping is a popular weekend retreat from Karachi. Travel guides say you can bring your own tent or book a tour company to set up camp with a bonfire and barbecue. There are no formal campsite facilities. Our dedicated guide to camping at Kund Malir covers wind, tides and the night sky there, so we won't repeat it, and Kund Malir beach covers the day visit.
Along the Hingol River and inside the park. Hingol National Park is Pakistan's largest national park. Entry to the park's attractions and a small vehicle fee are collected in cash at a highway checkpoint, and some reports mention permits from the forest office. Fees and rules differ between sources, so check before you go. Our post on Hingol National Park permission explains who to ask. Do not wade or swim in the murky pools of the Hingol River: marsh crocodiles live along parts of it.
Near Ormara, Pasni and Gwadar. Beaches here are mostly used by fishing communities, and travel guides describe infrastructure as minimal. We could not find any published list of approved camping spots in this stretch. Ask a local contact or a hotel owner first, and treat any open beach near a town as someone's working fishing ground. Our guides to Ormara Beach and Gwadar beach describe what each place offers day to day.
Astola Island. Pakistan's largest offshore island has no accommodation, so an overnight stay means camping. Visitors are registered by the Coast Guard before leaving Pasni, and Astola is a marine protected area, so guidance is to follow its rules. See our Astola Island guide for the crossing and the details. It is a bigger commitment than a beach on the highway.
What permission do you need?
For the highway itself, travel sources report no permit for Pakistanis. Bring your original CNIC, because there are checkpoints along the route, and expect to be asked where you are going and where you are staying.
For the beach, we found no published camping permit at Kund Malir. That does not make it unregulated: the beach is within a national park run by the Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department, and the authorities can change fees and rules at any time. If you are unsure, ask at the Hingol park office or the highway checkpoint.
Foreign nationals are in a different position: they generally need a No Objection Certificate for Balochistan and are provided with an escort, which makes unscripted camping unrealistic. Check requirements with a licensed operator.
Beaches to leave alone
Not every beach is an option.
- Turtle nesting beaches. Green and olive ridley turtles nest on the Balochistan coast, at Ormara, Astola and the Jiwani and Daran beaches. Nesting on the Makran coast is reported to start around July, peak in November and decline after February, which overlaps with the camping season. Sea turtles are protected under the Balochistan Wildlife Protection Act of 1975. If you see nests or tracks, move on, keep lights off and keep vehicles off the sand. Our post on Jiwani covers the main nesting area.
- Beaches beside military or port areas. Gwadar port, naval facilities at Ormara and Jiwani, and Coast Guard posts are restricted. Camping near them will bring unwelcome attention.
- Remote beaches off the highway. Reaching them means unmarked tracks, no signal and no help. Do not go without a local guide.
Safety on a remote coast
Beach safety here is about heat, water, tides and distance from help, and also about security.
- Heat. Outside the winter months, heat is the main hazard. Carry more drinking water than you think you need.
- Self-sufficiency. There are no shops or refill points once you leave the highway. Bring tent, food, water, a stove or charcoal, torches, a power bank, a first-aid kit and bags to carry all rubbish out.
- Navigation. There are no trail markers and signal drops away. Use offline maps and tell someone your plan.
- Swimming. The open sea can have strong currents. Avoid swimming alone and keep children close.
- Security. In March 2025, after six passengers were taken off a bus and shot in Gwadar district, the Gwadar administration barred public transport from the Makran Coastal Highway at night, and Balochistan restricted night-time travel on major highways from 6 pm to 6 am. In April 2019, 14 passengers, including naval personnel, were killed on the highway near Ormara. Read is the Makran Coastal Highway safe and the Balochistan night travel ban.
The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan. Pakistani visitors still camp at Kund Malir, but check local news and current police advice before you set out. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because travelling against it can void insurance.
Our practical rules, which follow the official advice rather than add to it: arrive in daylight, camp near other people rather than alone, and drive in daylight both ways. Kund Malir is the only beach where we would suggest camping at all, and our post on whether Kund Malir is safe covers it.
Is camping on the Makran coast right for you?
It suits groups of friends, couples and experienced campers who are comfortable without any facilities, who can drive the coast road in daylight and who have a spare day if conditions change. It is a poor fit for very young children, anyone who needs medical help close by, first-time campers and anyone who expects a fenced, supervised campsite.
If you want the coast without the commitment, a day trip to Kund Malir and an overnight in a hut or a Gwadar hotel is the lower-risk way to do it. Our Makran Coastal Highway guide covers the whole route, and our trip planning page shows how we put one together.
Frequently asked questions
Can you camp on the Makran coast?
Yes, informally. There are no official campsites, and people camp on open beaches such as Kund Malir with their own equipment. Check local rules and permissions before you go.
Where is the best place to camp on the Makran coast?
Kund Malir beach, in Hingol National Park, is the most used spot and the easiest to reach from Karachi.
Do you need a permit to camp at Kund Malir?
We found no published camping permit for the beach, but you need your CNIC at checkpoints and there is a small cash fee at a checkpoint. Rules change, so confirm locally.
What is the best time to camp on the Makran coast?
October to March, when temperatures are lower. Summer is hot, and heat is the main hazard.
Is camping on the Makran coast safe?
Pakistani groups do it, but the UK advises against travel to Balochistan and night travel is restricted. Camp near other people, travel in daylight and check current advice.
Can you camp on Astola Island?
Yes, it is the only way to stay overnight, but you register with the Coast Guard at Pasni and bring everything. It is a marine protected area, so follow its rules.
