CLIFTON’S oyster rocks are a series of atolls located off the coast of Clifton in Karachi. The islands were under the control of the Pakistan Navy until 2006, when the Karachi city district 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 oyster rocks. These rocks can be reached from the Keamari jetty by hiring a boat, preferably in advance, and can provide an excellent outdoor excursion around Karachi, a city usually considered a commercial hub with little natural surroundings.

Views from the top of the cliff and on the way to the rocks are great. From one side of the boat, you can see the city’s skyline, and from the other, you can view the endless waters of the Arabian Sea.

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.

The modus operandi involves hiring a boat for 10 to 15 people on a lump sum basis ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 for the whole boat for four to five hours. The deal includes fresh seafood menu which is cooked on board while the boat is anchored in the open seas.

The 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.

SAADUDDIN KHAN Karachi