With more than 7,500 kilometers of coastline, India is dotted with many beach destinations on both the Arabian Sea coast and the Bay of Bengal Coast, apart from the island destinations. Some of these beaches have huge facilities and are ranked among the top beaches of the world. Beaches in India have attained worldwide acclaim for the scenic beauty and activities they offer. Gleaming sun, unending stretches of sand, salubrious climate and sweeping view of majestic sea make the atmosphere on the Indian beaches euphoric.
Table of Content
Beaches of India
- Beaches in Kerala
- Andaman Beaches
- Beaches in Goa
- Beaches in Maharastra
- Beaches in Tamil Nadu
- Lakshadweep Beaches
- Beaches in Odisha
Beaches in Kerala
Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha Beach is located on a thin strip of land which is located between the Arabian Sea and the Punnamada Backwaters. Due to the maze of canals, bridges and backwaters, this place is also called as Venice of the East also. This beach is very popular among tourists as it has almost everything from solitude to exciting water sports on offer.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach is situated on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline. Today Kovalam beach has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam Beach is ideal for kayaking, swimming, surfing and skiing. One can have Ayurvedic massages and oil baths or learn in detail the methods of doing Yoga and meditation taught by experts.
Andaman Beaches
With a great location, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are one of the unspoilt and untouched beaches which make it an ideal holiday destination. There are many beaches on the island but lesser resorts which make the tourists come here for originality of the place. The blue waterfront is simply a great sight. Radhnagar Beach is one perfect spot for an environment lover and is unpolluted. Harminder Bay beach is located 100 km from the city of Port Blair and is a beautiful place to be and enjoy.
Beaches in Goa
Anjuna Beach
Anjuna beach is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. It was in the late 1950s to mid-1960s that Anjuna beach was “discovered” by the hippies. It became popular for its Trance Parties and the Hippies who tried to combine the spiritual traditions of the East and the art, ideas and music of the West. The main attractions of Anjuna Beach are the magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920, the Mascarenhas Mansion, and the Chapora Fort.
Baga/ Calangute Beach
Baga Beach is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea, 10 km west of Mapusa, is basically an extension of Calangute beach. It is located by the Arabian Sea on the west coast of Goa. The scenery of this beach site is more varied, unspoiled and scenic. Baga beach is quite famous among western tourists who love its water sports and fishing expeditions.
Beaches in Maharastra
Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is spread across a stretch of 6 kms up north in Juhu Vile Parle area of western suburbs in Mumbai. The Juhu Beach in Mumbai is one of the most famous Indian beaches. This beach is known to be the one of the most-visited beaches of India. It is located approximately 18 km from the city center and is a desired location for most film shootings. This place is known for its spectacular sunset view. Juhu Beach is frequently visited by lot of people round the year.
Beaches in Tamil Nadu
Kanyakumari Beach
A unique beach where the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean happens is the Kanyakumari Beach. One cannot sunbathe on the sands of the Kanyakumari beach as the shore is rocky and an artificial wall protects people from going afar.
The sand of Kanyakumari Beach is famous for its softness and various hues. There is a lighthouse at Kanyakumari Beach from where panoramic views of the sea are available.
Marina Beach
Marina beach is a sandy beach which is located along the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean along the city of Chennai in India. The beach is located along the 12 Km shoreline and is claimed by the locals to be the longest or the second longest beach in the world. The Marina beach is famous for its beauty and jolly ambience and also rich ecosystems. An aquarium, situated near the beach, comprises of some of the most astonishing and splendid range of tropical sea and fresh water fish. It gives you a chance to be familiar with the aquatic life and see what God has blessed the sea life of Chennai with.
Lakshadweep Beaches
The island of Lakshadweep has some ten beaches which are open for the people. The natural state of these beaches has been preserved by Mother Nature and then by the authorities. There are twenty seven beaches in all in Lakshadweep but seventeen out of them are closed. The ten beaches that are open to public are the Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy beaches. The tourists who come here to enjoy can lie down lazily and have some peaceful time. Also, those interested in some adventure can take up water sports like rafting, snorkelling, para-sailing, para-jumping.
Beaches in Odisha
Puri-Konark Beach
The beach is a long coast line from the Puri town to nearby famous Konark temple. The marine drive of 30 kilometers stretch is full of casuarinas forest on both sides of it. The beach at Puri (Swargadwar) is famous amongst domestic pilgrims, as it is believed to be the entry gate to the divine heaven. From the outskirts of Puri the entire stretch to Konark (Chandrabhaga) is virgin and has crystal clear water with golden sand. The stretch has now come up with a number of private resorts making it popular for international tourists.
The beach is also famous for the world famous sand art. World-famous sand artist Sudarshan and many other sand artists can be seen giving artistic touch to sand crafts on the beach. Hotels and Restaurants Association of Puri organizes Puri Beach Festival during November every year that brings artists from various corners of World to a joint platform. The Festival is being organized every year since last 18 years.
Gopalpur on the Sea
Barely 16 kilometers from the nearest railhead Brhamapur, Gopalpur on the sea is an upcoming beach destination in the state. Known for its lower elevated (1 m height) and unpolluted beach and folk culture Gopalpur also has a sea port. The district hotels and restaurant association of Ganjam since 1996, has been celebrating beach festival in the month of December every year.