Beaches in India

Beaches in India

What is the best thing about the beaches? Is it the sweltering sun rays that fall squarely on the sea bed, the sparkling sand that covers the entire beach area or the incredibly beautiful sea that covers almost 71 percent of the Earth's surface? Well, it is a combination of all three of them, which perk up the beauty of beaches in India and make them look naturally appealing. India is gifted with some of the best beaches in the world spread across the coastal lines of Southern India. It embraces as many as 215 incredibly scenic beaches that offer everything from beauty to solace to action and invites people from different parts of the country to get involved in a wide range of beach activities. However, not every beach is commercialized in India…most of them have been simply abandoned due to lack of proper care and maintenance. Recently, Tripadvisor announced the top 25 beaches in India ranked based on reviews by millions of travelers across the world. In case you are planning to treat yourself with an Indian beach holiday, here’s the list of top 25 beaches in India to help you plan your vacation smartly.

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Time to experience some sun, sand, and sea on the exotic coastlines of India

Radhanagar Beach- Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

With some of the finest beaches of the country in its arms, Andaman and The Nicobar Islands is best known for its pristine surroundings and untouched natural beauty. The Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is the most popular tourist attraction of Andaman and Nicobar Island. It has been bestowed with the precious ‘Asia’s best beach’ award by Time Magazine. This exotic virgin beach has white sand and turquoise blue water and a lot of peace and serenity, making it an ideal spot for sea bathing and sun-basking. The beach, however, is off-limits for adventure freaks as no water sports are allowed here and even though swimming is permitted, it is only between 8 AM and 4 PM.

Best time to go: November – April

Agonda beach- Goa

What is that you like the most about ‘Goa’? The long and crowded stretch of beaches, late-night parties, tasty cuisines, or water sports activities. Goa has everything to satisfy the hungry beach lovers. It also has some very serene beaches for people who like to stay away from the beachside hustle and bustle. Agonda Beach is an isolated stretch of sealine located on the outskirts of Goa that helps you to relax amid natural wonders like soft warm sand and turquoise blue water. It has plenty of beachside accommodations, mostly huts for tourists to relax and enjoy the stillness of nature. Agonda is gaining popularity lately and a lot of hotels, souvenir stalls, and restaurants are coming up in the site. It is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Goa.

Best time to go: November- April

Cavelossim Beach- Goa

Another destination for beach vacations in India lies in the serenity of Goa between the beautiful Sal River and the Arabian Sea. Yes, we are talking about the beautiful ‘Cavelossim Beach’ surrounded with a variety of flora including rich palm trees, casuarinas vegetation, and paddy fields. This serene beach in Goa attracts tourists with activities such as sunbathing, sun-basking, dolphin trips, sunset cruise, and shopping. One can select from a wide range of Indian crafts and gift items and carry them as souvenirs to their native land from the colorful bazaars that surrounds this beautiful beach. There are a lot of luxury hotels and beach resorts on Cavelossim Beach and the tourists can easily get accommodation in these hotels to spend some memorable time with their family or friends.

Best time to go: November- April

Mandrem Beach- North Goa

This exotic untouched and virgin beach is the best-kept secret on the north Goan coast that you might find hard to stay away from. Mandrem Beach is a perfect beach destination for people who want to spend a laid back and peaceful day on the shoreline while indulging in activities like yoga, meditation, beach walk, spas, and massage. Unlike many busy and bustling beaches of Goa, Mandrem is a peaceable beach spot, which can make you feel like you have your own beach with very fewer people around. If you love swimming and surfing, then the beautiful waves in the sea will add to your fun factor. Mandrem Beach is one of the best places to visit in Goa and also the most beautiful.

Best time to go: November- April

Benaulim Beach- South Goa

Looking for a place to relax, relax, and relax? Benaulim Beach is where you can go! This exotic piece of nature is the most beautiful site located in South Goa, which is 41 km away from Panji, popular for its history and also beauty. It is said that Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, once shot an arrow, which landed at Benaulim Beach shifting back the hills hence forming the Konkan. This place was named Banavli (ban means arrow) after this incident; however, later the Portuguese changed it to Benaulim. The beach has a special image among the locals who keep visiting it to indulge in various recreational activities such as beach walk, sea bathing sun basking while enjoying drinks and snacks in the nearby beach shacks. The place is equally popular for its delectable seafood, dolphin spotting trips, boat rides, and water sports like parasailing, jet skiing, and windsurfing.

Best time to go: November to April

Candolim Beach, Goa

The white sandy Candolim Beach of Goa is one of India’s best beach holiday destinations for honeymoon couples as it offers everything from water sports to fishing to yoga and meditation to massage to colorful bazaars to luscious seafood; and of course there are the famous beach parties as well. This beautiful beach destination looks even more appealing with large scrub-covered dunes in between the seawater and shore, a church, and a lighthouse, which has been a part of the attraction here. Candolim Beach is also recognized for the presence of Aguada Fort, built by the Portuguese way back in 1912 for fortifying against the Dutch and the Maratha invaders. It has a good number of hotels, beach resorts and some very soothing spa and massage parlors.

Best time to go: November to April

Puri Beach- Orissa

One of the major attractions of Orissa, Puri Beach continues to be a sacred venue for an endless number of pilgrims who visit the place to pay homage to Lord Jagannath. This beautiful palm-fringed beach lies on the fine white sands and rolls in from the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the favorite spots for both Indian and foreign beach lovers. Located at a distance of 35 km from the Sun Temple and 65 km from Bhubaneshwar, the beach at Puri offers a unique opportunity to witness the beautiful sunrise and the sunset at the same place. The visitors can see a fishing village along the coast and enjoy seafood prepared with a rich catch like prawn, pamphlets, and other exclusive fishes.

Best time to go: any time of the year

Varca Beach- Goa

Another addition to the list of most exotic beaches of Goa is Varca Beach, which is located at a distance of 2 km from Benaulim Beach. This soft sandy beach is one among the popular beaches to visit in India and is marked by some wooden boats, fishnets, and shacks offering tourists a wonderful time. Unlike other beaches of Goa, Varca is less crowded with plenty of food joints serving a wide variety of delicacies, including seafood. It is the perfect destination for people who are looking for tranquility and serenity while having the most delicious cuisine at a beach restaurant or watching dolphins and enjoying drinks.

Best time to go: November- April

Elephanta Beach, Havelock Island- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Popular for activities such as snorkeling, sun-basking, sea bathing, beach walking, etc. the beautiful and virgin beach destination Elephanta is located in Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This sparkling beach spot embraces some of the vibrant coral reefs that push out sapphire-colored waters with mild waves, making the experience even more delightful. Elephanta Beach looks its best during springtime when nature is in full bloom and snorkeling becomes even more enjoyable. Most people visit this beach to relax; some to enjoy a picnic lunch with family and friends, and many simply to watch the colorful corals under the seawater. Now, it depends on you….which activity you would like to carry out during your beach vacation.

Best time to go: October- May

Yarada Beach, Visakhapatnam- Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh too is gifted with many exotic beaches that share their shoreline with Bay of Bengal, similar to Orissa. Yarada Beach is one of the many beautiful and unspoiled beaches of Andhra Pradesh, which aren’t famous for parties or water sports activities but for their beauty and serenity. Unlike Goa and Kerala, Andhra doesn’t have many late-night beach parties or five-star properties, but it has the second-largest coastline and the longest beach road in the country. Located at a distance of 15 km from Visakhapatnam, Yarada is a pristine and uninterrupted coastline, which leads to Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse which sits atop Black Mores Hill.

Best time to go: October- March

Arambol Beach- North Goa

Considered to be a heaven for the hippies, Arambol Beach embraces some of the best natural attractions even when there are no resorts or classy hotels on the beachside. The place is untouched and serene with just a few basic guesthouses and some standard hotels and huts on the sealine. The visitors love it this way and feel happy indulging in simple activities like swimming, sun-basking, beach walking, etc. Other attractions at Arambol Beach are paragliding from the cliffs that surround the beach, dolphin watching boat trips, and shopping from colorful beach bazaars that sell clothes, bikinis, junk jewelry, and handicrafts. One can also find some good cafes along the beachside, which offer tasty delicacies from Italy, Goa, and India.

Best time to go: November- March

Dhanushkodi Beach, Rameswaram- Tamil Nadu

There is not much to see in Dhanushkodi other than the beach and sand, which stretches across a wide range covering the maximum area of the place. Bordered by the Bay of Bengal from one side and the Indian Ocean from the other, Dhanushkodi located 20 kilometers away from Rameshwaram, gives a visual treat to tourists with the incredibly beautiful views of the turquoise blue sea. Dhanushkodi Beach is the closest point from Sri Lanka and it is also believed to be the same place where Lord Rama along with Lord Hanuman and his army built the famous ‘Setu’ bridge to reach Lanka. Once a flourishing town Dhanushkodi was devastated by a cyclone in 1964, washing away the entire village, but, the tourists still, visit this place to see the remains of the town and enjoy the the indescribable beauty of its beaches.

Best time to go: October to April

Palolem Beach- South Goa

Enclosed by thick coconut palms and surrounded by clear sea blue water, the picturesque Palolem Beach is undeniably the state’s most beautiful beach. Mostly covered with beach huts, boats, and fishnets, this beautiful sealine stretches across miles and looks shady and semi-circle shaped with a diverse variety of flora. This beautiful beach spot offers different atmospheres to diverse tourists- It has the most serene and pristine north stretch for quieter and laid back people, crowded and action-packed beach center for families and backpackers, and party filled south zone for hippies and partygoers. Other than this, people can indulge in dolphin spotting, fishing, boat riding, shopping, and massaging activities at Palolem Beach.

Best time to go: October to March

Colva Beach- South Goa

Colva Beach is the oldest, largest and most beautiful beach of South Goa and consists of soft white sand bordered by coconut palms that stretch from Bogmalo in the north to Cabo De Rama in the south. This stunning shoreline used to be the resting area for Margao's high society during the colonial days but has now transformed into a fun-filled the destination for rave parties and nightlife welcoming livelier and a vibrant crowd of the city. Another important attraction at the Colva Beach is the ‘Menino Jesus’ statue situated at the local church of Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Piedade (Our Lady of Mercy) founded in 1630.

Best time to go: October- May

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Kannur- Kerala

The only drive-in beach of Asia, Muzhappilanged offers a smooth drive of 4 km between Thalassery and Kannur, which is parallel to National Highway NH-17. Tourists visit this amazing beach spot especially in the the month of April when locals organize a festival to attract travelers and young adventure enthusiasts to perform car stunts and bike stunts such as drifting and wheeling on the beach. Driving is safe at Muzhappilangad Beach as it is surrounded by black rocks, which safeguard it from stronger currents of the sea. This serene beach is one of the popular beaches in Kerala that is known for its tranquility and picturesque sea view, which makes it a perfect spot for tourists to swim, take sun bathe, and to simply walk around.

Best time to go: September to March

Ganpatipule Beach- Maharashtra

Spread across the Konkan Coast, the exotic and unspoiled Ganpatipule the beach is one of the spectacular sights of Maharashtra that invites an endless number of peace-seekers, beach-lovers, and pilgrims every day. A great center of attraction of this stunning beach is the temple of Swayambhu (self-originated) Ganesh, visited by many tourists who make it a point to pay respect to this great deity whenever they visit this beach spot. Ganpatipule has abundant flora, including mangroves and coconut palms, which adds to the beauty of the place.

Best time to go: October- February

Chapora Beach, Candolim- Goa

Chapora Beach is a beautiful extension of Candolim Beach along the The Arabian Sea that starts from Fort Aguada and ends at Chapora Beach. Situated at a fantastic site in North Goa, Chapora is famous for the birth of Abba Faria, one of the Goan freedom fighters and Father of Hypnotism. Many visitors come here to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place naturally beautified with white sandy beaches, scrub-covered dunes, and a peaceful and quiet environment. Water activities like parasailing, water-skiing, surfing, and fishing are quite common at this beach, which attracts countless tourists every day. This is also a perfect place for idyllic activities like Yoga & meditation.

Best time to go: October- May

Cola Beach, Canacona- Goa

Just a ride away from Agonda Beach, you will find a breathtaking beach surrounded with a fresh sweet water lagoon and vast stretches of white sand with palm trees. Yes we are talking about the beautiful Cola Beach, also known as ‘Khola’, which lies along the stunning coastlines of South Goa. This picture-perfect beach of Goa is good for people looking for peace and tranquility or who wants to run away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The private stretch of the beach is for people who want to sunbathe uninterruptedly and swim in the clean seawater.

Best time to go: November-April

Utorda Beach, Goa

The long and shiny golden sandy beach of Utorda is located near the famous Colva Beach and is a link between the Arrosim Beach to the north and the Majorda Beach to the south. This beautiful sandy heaven has some amazing resorts and restaurants that offer exotic seafood and delicious beach snacks & drinks. Tourists can enjoy activities like swimming, sun-basking, and beach walks on these beautiful sealines, safeguarded by locals who enjoy sumptuous food while indulging in beach activities. This relatively untouched and unspoiled beach of Goa gives quite a relaxing atmosphere for everyone visiting this place.

Best time to go: November- April

Morjim, Pernem- North Goa

Nestled in the middle of lush green locales and surrounded by serene natural beauty, Morjim in North Goa is very different from other popular beaches of Goa like Baga, Candolim, Varca, and Colva, which are mostly crowded and packed with abundant beach opportunities. Located in Pernem district of Goa, Morjim is renowned as the nesting place of Olive Ridley turtles and is visited by environmental students and experts who want to study about the natural features of these nests. Morjim is referred to as ‘Little Russia’ by many locals due to the concentration of many Russian expatriates visiting and residing here. So, if you are planning a beach holiday in India, Morjim in Goa can be the best option for you.

Best time to go: November- April

Cansaulim Beach- South Goa

Located at a distance of 15 km from Margoa in Mormugoa taluka of South Goa, Cansaulim Beach is known for its scenic beauty and incredibly clean and tidy surroundings. The golden sandy beach of Cansaulim is partly covered with palm groves and partly occupied by hotels and restaurants that serve some very tasty dishes and drinks. With a perfect blend of food joints and affordable accommodation options, Cansaulim gives a refreshing feel to people in search of solitude. This spot is also popular among honeymoon couples looking for a peaceful place to create the best moment of their life.

Best time to go: November-April

Vagator Beach- Goa

Unlike the calm and serene beaches that we have been writing about in this list, Vagator Beach is a little bit crowded with plenty of bars and shacks build to cater to the need for people visiting here. The golden sandy beach of this place is dark in color thanks to the red cliffs that line the seashore and makes it even prettier. Further, the palm trees, secluded coves, and many party spots make Vagator one of the most pleasurable beach destinations of Goa. It has some of the best hotels and resorts lying adjacent to the cliff, making it one of the best beaches for luxury holidays in India.

Best time to go: October- May

Marari Beach- Kerala

Lying in the arm of God’s Own Country ‘Kerala’, Marari Beach is the perfect destination for people who want to explore the backwaters of Kerala while enjoying the serenity of the beach. Located at a short distance from Alleppey and around 60 km from Kochi, Marari Beach offers a calm and scenic atmosphere to tourists to relax and unwind. Kerala receives rain almost throughout the year,, making places like Marari filled with rich vegetation. It also opens several getaway options for the travelers such as Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, traditional coir-making units, and Kerala backwater canals for the travelers to explore. To plan a perfect holiday trip to Kerala, you all must consider visiting this delightful beach destination once in your life.

Best time to go: September- March

Ramakrishna Beach, Visakhapatnam- Andhra Pradesh

One of the most popular spots of Visakhapatnam, Ramkrishna Beach, also known as RK Beach lies at a distance of 5 km from the main city. The uninterrupted sealines, soft golden sands, and the multiplicity of beach shacks offering scrumptious seafood and other local delicacies make this beautiful beach spot one of the best attractions of Visakhapatnam (Vizag). People, especially families, from different parts of the country visit this site to enjoy beach activities such as sea bathing, sun basking, water sports, and beach walking. Several fine tourist spots like the Aquarium, Kali Temple, Visakha Museum, Submarine Museum, and the water Memorial surrounds the Ramakrishna Beach.

Best time to go: November- April