Beaches of India

Famous Beaches of India: Anjuna Beach, Marina Beach, Juhu Beach

Major Attractions of Indian Beaches: Sun, Surf and Sand
Major Beach Destinatins: Goa Beaches, Tamil Nadu Beaches,Kerala Beaches,
Water Adventure Sports: Swimming, Scuba Diving, Para Sailing

Popular Beaches in India

Goa Beaches
Goa's beaches are famous the world over
and people from all across the globe visit
the beaches of Goa. Goa beaches carry a
charm that brings back tourists again and
again. Goa needs no introduction as most
people have either already visited it or plan
to visit its lovely natural beaches. Goa's
beaches are so unpolluted that most of its
beaches are full of sea creatures like star
fish and shelled beings. Even though
today Goa is full of tourists it has not lost
its old world charm and the land is very
much green that is complimented by the
fun loving people of Goa.
Some of its beaches have been developed
by fivestar hotels and these beaches of
Goa are so tempting that one hates to go away from them. Goa is famous for its soft white sandy
beaches and water sports like parasailing; candlelit dinners as well as all-night long rave parties;
swaying coconut palms or the tall laterite cliffs; pork vindaloo and fish curry at a beach shack as
well as exotic food at at the star hotels; the Portuguese style white washed churches and
ruinous old forts; and also for roadside pubs, music and revelry.

Some of the best beaches of Goa are:

Anjuna Beach
Fluorescent painted palm trees and infamous full moon parties, 8 km west of Mapusa, most
"alternative", the dancing and lying on the beach, famous flea market.

Arambol Beach
One of the Goa's more far flung beaches Arambol has beautiful rocky bays attracting travelers to
its remote location and uninterrupted and stunning stretch of soft sand.

Ashvem Beach
Ashvem beach is part of Arambol in north Goa. It was discovered like much of the region by the
hippies and is a self-declared topless beach and its wooden shacks are popular with
backpackers.

Baga Beach
Watch the sun go down in isolation, 10-km west of Mapusa, basically an extension of Calangute
wooded headland.

Calangute Beach
Goa's busiest and most commercialised resort. During the 70's and 80's this peaceful fishing
village became the favourite haunt of the hippies.
Benaulim Beach
Sea is safe for swimming generally jellyfish-free, village area near beach side boasts a few
serviceable bars and restaurants, various culinary delights of the seafood, most succulent,
competitively priced seafood in Goa.

Cavelosim Beach
Last major settlement in southwest Salcete, visit to Mabor, South Goa largest, and most
obtrusive, package tourist enclave.

Chapora Beach
A lot busier than most north coast villages, dependent on fishing and boat building, many regular
cafes and restaurants

Condolim Beach
Good options to stay offering better value, a good first stop to head North.

Bogmolo Beach
A small-scale beach resort, reasonably safer site for swimming, quite good eating joints and
shopping options.

Dona Paula Beach

Fine view of the Marmagao Harbour nestled on the south side of the headland that divides the
Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, former fishing village, today's commercialised beach resort, idyllic
spot to relax and sunbathe.

Miramar Beach
Just 3-km away from the capital city of Panjim.

Pololem Beach
A favourite beach destination, crescent shaped bay, swaying curtain of coconut palms,
irresistibly photogenic, beautiful beach huts.

Vagator & Chapora Beaches

Cool rural area, no big shopping complexes.

Varca Beach
Community of Christian fisher folk, palm thatched long houses, grassy dunes.

Kerala Beaches
Kerala the land of green magic offers
some of the best beaches in
India.Kovalam the ‘Paradise of the South’
with its golden glowing sands, crystal clear
waters and swaying coconut trees has
made its mark on the world tourism map. It
is a dream destination for international
tourists who just want to laze around for
rejuvenation and relaxation. Beach holiday
coupled with aryurvedic massages,
Catamaran cruising and colorful corals
make a complete picture perfect holiday.
Adventure lovers go snorkeling and catch
captivating underwater views.Kovalam
offers superb seafood specialties. You can
easily find accommodation here as there are several luxury and budget hotels and cottages to
suit the tourists. Take handicrafts of Kerala as souvenirs and gifts.Kovalam has certain charm
which is simply irresistible.

Bekal Beach
Kovalam Beach
Varkala Beach

Beaches of Daman and Diu

Daman lies on the coastal side of Gujarat in India and is not far from the Indian metro, Mumbai.
Earlier a Portuguese enclave, its bounded on the north and south by the Bhagwan and the
Kalem rivers respectively. Daman is a picturesque port town and a popular getaway for the
locals.

Devka beach is the most popular beach in Daman. Daman, the capital of the union territory of
Daman and Diu, offers great hospitality to visitors with modern restaurants serving exquisite sea
food and accommodation to suit every pocket. The beaches of Daman has plenty of gentle
winds, soft sands and monumental churches, forts along with enchanting coconut grooves,
stately palms and dreamy villages.

Diu on the other hand is an island and cut off from mainland India, and that is where its charm
lies. The island of Diu, lies in the Gulf of Combay near Veravd port off the Saurashtra Coast of
Gujarat. An erstwhile Portuguese colony, Diu is connected to the mainland by a narrow channel
on the north. The untouched tropical beaches of Diu offer out-of-this-world golden beaches,
palmgroves and monuments of yesteryears. Nagoa, Ghoghla, Jallandhar, Gomatimata and
Chakratirth beaches are the popular beaches of Diu.

Tourist spots include Div Fort, St Paul's and St Thomas churches, temples of Dwarka, Somnath,
Palitana and Sansan Gir Sanctuary.

The best part is that Diu is only an hour's flight from Mumbai. Any time is a good time to visit the
world class beaches of Diu. Even though an Island, trains and roads connect the island with the
mainland. Diu is one of the most beautiful places in India.

Devka & Jampore Beach

Nagoa Beach

Lakshadweep Beaches
Lakshadweep is a small palm covered cluster of islands in the Arabian Sea. It has beautiful and
almost untouched beaches. The lovely white coral beaches of Lakshadweep with turquoise
waters are unmatched in the world. Being an almost isolated place one can relax to the hearts
content. The marine life and the coral reefs are simply stunning.

Foreign tourists can visit only Bangaram, Agatti and Kadmat for which special permits are
required, whereas Indian tourists can make day trips to Kalpeni, Minicoy and Kavaratti too.
Bangaram Island Beach
Lakshadweep Photo Gallery

Orissa Beaches
Orissa is famous for its beaches in Puri
and for Gopalpur on sea. Puri is a tourist
destination and is specially crowded at the
time of the Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra.
The Puri Rath Yatra is an annual function
that attracts people from all over the world.
Puri beach is very popular among the
tourists that throng puri. It is also a popular
domestic destination all through the year.
There are some other beautiful beaches
which are most sought after by the
tourists. Konark beach located three km
from famous Konark Sun temple is a
beautiful beach which is much quieter and
cleaner. You can take bus or taxi from Puri
to Konark which usually takes one hour.

Gopalpur-on-sea is a must see beach with its soft sand and blue waters. It is peaceful and much
quieter than the Puri beach where you can spend some quality time. The best time to visit is
from November to January. Most of the hotels and restaurants offer local cuisine and discounts
in the off season. An excursion to hot springs at Taptapani (45km) is must for every itinerary. It is
well connected from Behrampur (18 km) and Bhubneshwar by road and railways.

Puri Beach

Beaches in TamilNadu
Tamil Nadu the ‘cradle of Dravidian culture’ has fabulous beaches along its long coastline with
delightful fishing villages, resorts and water sports facilities.Some of these like Marina and Elliot
beaches are situated in Chennai the
capital of Tamil Nadu.

Covelong Beach
Elliots Beach
Kanyakumari Beach
Mahabalipuram,Tamilnadu
Marina Beach
Rameshwaram

Andaman Beaches
The Andaman Islands has some of the
best tropical beaches in the world. Its deep
sea coral reefs are full of colour and
beauty. Andaman has pretty green
beaches lined with coconut palms and
offers serenity with pleasure. Various
sports facilities like snorkeling, boat rides and deep sea diving are available for the tourist.

Among the best sites to visit are Corbyn's Cove near Port Blair, Snake Island and Chiriya Tapu a
tiny fishing village with beautiful beaches and mangroves. Other tourist sites to travel to are
Cinque Island that is rich in corals with unspoilt beaches where one can go for snorkeling.
Havelock Island on the other hand offers white sand beaches, turquoise waters and good
snorkeling where one can see stunning coral reefs with colorful marine life including dolphins,
turtles and many fishes.

One can also take day excursion trips from Wandur head for the exotic islands of Grub, Red
Skin and Jolly Buoy through mangrove creeks. One can observe the marine life and amazing
corals, hire glass bottom boats and snorkeling equipment or laze around on these unspoilt
beaches. A fragile nature of the ecosystem here has prompted the government to declare this
area as a Marine National Park encompassing 15 major islands and several islets.

The Andaman Islands offer some excellent diving sites at Cinque Island, North Passage Island,
Wandoor, Rutland Island and Snake Island. The greatest range of options is on Havelock Island
where sites include Mac Point, Aquarium, Barracuda city, Turtle Bay, Seduction Point, Pilot Reef
and Minerva Lodge. Snorkeling is popular with tourists and is therefore snorkeling gear is
available at most hotels.

To travel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and its beaches one needs a special permit from
Government of India. These permits allow day trips to Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Ross
and some other islands. There are daily flights from Chennai to Port Blair. One can also travel by
sea from and to Port Blair and Chennai or Kolkatta.

Accommodation and travel on the Andamans is no problem with availability of good hotels and
transport systems ranging from bicycles, motorcycles and scooters and also ferries.

Beaches in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is another coastal state of
India with a good number of seaside
resorts and beach resorts. If one has a
special interest in forts and their history,
check out the costal fort sites of
Maharashtra, the perfect place to start on
an enlightening heritage tour.

Juhu Beach - one of the largest and

frequently visited tourist beaches of India
on the shores of Arabian Sea, mostly
famous as the best hangout zone of
Mumbai city, famous Mumbai Bhelpuri and
Kulfi.

Marine Drive - Chowpatty Beach -

situated in the heart of Mumbai, rich historical link with the freedom movement, the spot where
Lord Ganesha's images are immersed after the conclusion of the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.

Madh Island Beach - a popular picnic spot, dotted with exquisite bungalows and an urban aura,
the most lavish beach parties held outside Mumbai.

Marve-Manori-Gorai - three beautiful and serene getaways. Marve is a quaint little fishing
village, the nearest and the quietest of the three. Gorai and Manori, a little further away popular
for all night beach parties.

Ganapatipule Beach - a beach with a religious flavour, one of the 'Ashta Ganapati' pilgrimage
sites of India.
Murud - Janjira - a convenient base for the nearby beaches, former capital town of the Siddis of
Janjira, popular for its alluring and spacious beach fringed with palm trees, two new beach sites
of Kashid and Nandgaon nearby.

Baseein - served as an important shipbuilding center, the site of the Portuguese defeat at the
hands of the Marathas, a similar backdrop to that of Goa, one of the best choices to take some
time off from the hectic schedule of city life.

Dahanu-Bordi Beaches - a beautiful seaside in Thane district, vast stretch of unspoilt beach,
coastline 17-km long, Chickoo (fruit) orchids.

Harnai Beach - A very secluded beach site usually the most visited hotspot for the people of
Mumbai and Pune.

Kihim & Mandwa - a beautiful and clean beach, unspoilt and isolated ambience.

Vijaydurg - Sindhudurg - once naval-bases of the Great Chattrapati Shivaji, picturesque

beaches, Vijayadurg fort built by Shivaji in the 17th century.

Shriwardhan - Harihareshwar - an irresistible beach site blessed with gentle winds, soft sands
and inviting waters, attracts beach lovers in large numbers, a splendid place for seafood lovers

Tarkarli - a secluded golden beach with aquamarine waters.

Velneshwar - beach is clean and natural and is lined with coconut trees, swimming and other
water sports, beach is free from rocks.

Vengurla - Malvan - a beach famous for its long stretch of shimmering sand, thick cashew,
coconut, and jackfruit and mango groves, Vengurla rocks, known as Burnt Islands.