Giant oyster rocks
(Mohammad Imran, karachi)
The Clifton Oyster Rocks are a
series of atolls located off the coast of the Clifton neighborhood of Karachi.
The islands were under the control of the Pakistani Navy until 2006, when the
Karachi city government decided to include the island as part of its plans to
renovate the city. As part of these plans, the Port Fountain was constructed at
the base of the northern island. It shoots water up to 620 feet in the air, and
is the second-tallest fountain in the world.
There is a cluster of rocky islands around Karachi's Southern coastal line which
are dubbed as Oyster Rocks. These rocks can be reached from Kemari jetty by
hiring a boat, preferably in advance, and can provide an excellent outdoor
excursion around Karachi, a city usually considered a commercial hubbub with
little natural outings.
Views from the top of the cliff and on the way to the rocks are great. On one
side, city's skyline can be seen while on the other side the endless waters of
Arabian Sea provide a great view. Winters are best suited for this activity when
one can hike to the top in the daylight while people also go there around
summers to spend a cool evening.
Modus operandi involves hiring a boat for 10-15 people on lump-sum basis;
ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 for the whole boat for 4-5 hours. The deal
includes fresh seafood menu which is cooked on board while the boat is anchored
in the open seas. Menu usually includes fried crabs, prawn masala, Fried fish,
and a couple of potato varieties to complement plus tea and soft drinks. Fishing
and a trip to the nearby Manora Island can also be clubbed within this deal.