BEACHES IN INDIA

BEACHES IN GOA

ANJUNA BEACH

With its fluorescent painted palm trees and infamous full moon parties, Anjuna, 8-km west of Mapusa, is Goa at its most "alternative". Since the 7o's the one reason that lure the people to visit this beach is the dancing and lying on the beach slurping tropical fruit. While browsing in the area have a day trip to the famous flea market.

BAGA BEACH

If you like a little isolation to watch the sun go down, Baga beach is just the place for you. 10-km west of Mapusa, Baga is basically an extension of Calangute; even the locals are unable to decide where ends and the other begin. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the beach with the rest is that this Goa beach is marginally more varied and picturesque.

DONA & PAULA BEACH

At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagao Harbour. 7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village and today's commercialized beach resort makes an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe.

CALANGUTE BEACH

A mere 45 minute bus ride up the coast from Panjim will take you Calangute, Goa's busiest and most commercialized resort, and the flagship of the state government's bid for a bigger slice of India's package-tourist pie. During the 70's and 80's this peaceful fishing village became the favourite haunt of the hippies.

BENAULIM BEACH

Named as Benaulim by the Portuguese, lies in the centre of Colva Beach, 7-km west of Margao. As this place is a like a large fishing joint tourists can easily become gourmets and try out various culinary delights of the seafood. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming, being generally jellyfish-free, while the village area near beach side itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants, serving the most succulent, competitively priced seafood in Goa.

CAVELOSIM BEACH

Sleepy Cavelossim, straddling the coast road 11-km south of Colva, is the last major settlement in southwest Salcete: its only claim to fame. When here do plan a visit to Mabor, South Goa largest, and most obtrusive, package tourist enclave. Crammed together on to a narrow spit of dunes between the surf and estuary, the holiday inns and beach resorts combine to create a holiday camp ambience that has as little to do with Goa as their architecture.

CHAPORA BEACH

Crouched in the shadow of a Portuguese fort on the opposite, northern side of the headland from Vagator, Chapora, 10-km from Mapusa, is a lot busier than most north coast villages. Dependent on fishing and boat building, it has, to a great extent, retained a life of its own independent of tourism. The leisure purpose is very well served by the Main Street, lined with as many regular stores as travellers cafes and restaurants.

CONDOLIM BEACH

Because of good options to stay, many of them tucked away down quiet sandy lanes and offering better value, make this beach site a good first stop if one has just arrived in Goa and are planning to head further north after finding one's feet.

BOGMOLO BEACH

When compared with Calangute Or Colva, Bogmalo still seems a small-scale beach resort, still there's something about seclusion that one finds over here that makes one visit this beach area every time one visit's Goa. Beside this beach site is a reasonably safer site for swimming and have quite good eating joints and shopping options in Goa.

MIRAMAR BEACH

On the way to Dona Paula, 1-km ahead of the confluence of the Arabian Sea and Mandvi River, under the palm shade, is "Gasper Dias" or Miramar Beach and is just 3-km away from the capital city of Panjim.

POLOLEM BEACH

Palolem pops up, as a favourite beach destination in Goa because its crescent shaped bay lined with a swaying curtain of coconut palms, is irresistibly photogenic. Frem accommodation point of view, there are beautiful beach huts and family room to choose from in Palolem.

VAGATOR BEACH

Barely a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator. Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes on peacefully, in the background, in Vagator and Chapora. It is cool rural area, without offering the tourist any big shopping complexes.

VARCA BEACH

If one is staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca. Do check out the row of beached wooden fishing boats 2-km south of Benaulim that belong to its community of Christian fisher folk, whose palm thatched long houses line the foot of the grassy dunes.

BEACHES IN MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra is another coastal state of India with a good number of seaside resorts and beach resorts. One of the major features of the beaches of Maharashtra is a fact that they live essentially safe waters, making them the perfectly ideal family beach sites. 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

Juhu is 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 this place mainly attracts people to get a taste of the famous Mumbai Bhelpuri and Kulfi.

MARINE DRIVE - CHOWPATTY BEACH

Chopwpatty beach is situated in the heart of Mumbai and has got rich historical link ups with the freedom movement. Presently this is the spot where Lord Ganesha's images are immersed after the conclusion of the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.

MARVE - MANORI - GORAI

Lying to the north of Mumbai, are three beautiful and serene getaways, for those who are craving to take a break from the hectic and chaotic city life. Marve is a quaint little fishing village, the nearest and the quietest of the three. Gorai and Manori, a little further away, are more popular for their wonderful all night beach parties.

MADH ISLAND BEACH

Madh Island is a popular picnic spot, dotted with exquisite bungalows and an urban aura. This place has a reputation of being the spot to check out for the most lavish beach parties held outside Mumbai.


GANAPATIPULE BEACH

If one prefers a beach with a religious flavour, then Ganapatipulle is the best resort. Set along the western cost of Maharashtra, this place is one of the 'Ashta Ganapati' pilgrimage sites of India.

MURUD - JANJIRA

Alibaug is the headquarter town of the Raigad district and a convenient base for the nearby beaches. A former capital town of the Siddis of Janjira, Murud today is popular for its alluring and spacious beach fringed with palm trees. Situated just a few kilometres away from here are two undiscovered beach sites of Kashid and Nandgaon.

BASEEIN BEACH

Located 77-km away from Mumbai, during the 17th century Bassein served as an important shipbuilding center. In 1739, this was the site of the Portuguese defeat at the hands of the Marathas. Having a similar backdrop to that of Goa, this beach serves one of the best choices to take some time off from the hectic schedule of city life.

DAHANU - BORDI BEACHES

Dahanu-Bordi, with a beautiful seaside are situated in Thane district. A notable vast streach unspoilt beach and the coastline that's 17-km long. The unique feature of Dahanu is the Chickoo (fruit) orchids spread over a large area.

KIHIM & MANDWA

About 20-kms from Alibaug and easily accessible from Mumbai, Mandawa is a beautiful and clean beach. Those searching for quite surroundings, the nearby Kihim beach with its unspoilt and isolated ambience is a lovely place.

SHRIWARDHAN - HARIHARESHWAR

Shriwardhan Bay located in Raigad district makes an irresistible beach site as it's blessed with gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters, which attracts beach lovers in large numbers. It's also a splendid place for seafood lovers where one can relish tempting seafood of numerous varieties.

VENGURLA - MALVAN

In the Southern part of the Maharashtra coastline is situated a beach famous for its long stretch of shimmering sand, lined with thick cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves. Near the beach site are the Vengurla rocks, also known as Burnt Islands.

BEACHES IN ORISSA

The long coastal belt of Orissa offers some of the finest white sand beaches in the world. The Puri beach is the main venue for countless pilgrims, and makes one of the major religiously sacred beach side spots of India. The seaside beach resort of Chandipur is another favourite seaside holiday hideout among beach lovers. Gopalpur-On-Sea, an ancient seaport, is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches one should definitely visit, when taking touring Orissa's beaches.

GOPALPUR ON SEA

This place is considered to be a favourite spot lying on the Bay of Bengal for sea and water sport lovers. Have a nice walk or a jog in early morning hours on this golden beach of Orissa India, which is also an ideal place to swim or laze around.

CHANDIPUR BEACH

Chandipur is another famous beach resort of Orissa situated 16-kms away from Balasore, providing a memorable experience to the visitors along its shores. It is a unique sea beach where seawater recedes about 5-kms during low tide and advances to the shoreline again during high tide, each day.

KONARK BEACH

Konark is the world famous site of the most exquisite Sun temple one can ever come across. While visiting this religiously and historically famous site, do check out the lovely bliss and serenity of its beach.

PARADEEP BEACH

Paradeep is a major seaport of India's trade activities with a fine sea beach that offers evergreen forests, a huge estuary of the Mahanadi with islands and creeks, a good marine drive and beach. Known as 'Tulasi Kshetra' it is also famous for its temple site of Lord Baladeva.

PURI BEACH

Puri is one of the three major spots of the Orissa Golden Triangle and one of the four major holy places in India. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, it has one of the finest beaches in the world.

BALIGHAI BEACH

8 km from Puri, this is a casuarina-fringed beach with a Sea Turtle Research Centre situated nearby. Love the tranquility of the beach side! Then this is the place that can surely turn a casual trip into an unforgettable vacation along the coastline of Orissa.

BEACHES IN KERALA

Kerala beaches may be take a backseat because of the backwaters, but entire 900-km length of the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms that definitely merit a visit in every tourist itinerary. Touring the beach sites of Kovalam can make any beach holiday a delightful one, as Kerala's beaches are renowned for the gentle surf and blue waters. Beach travel has never before been so exciting!

KOVALAM BEACH

Kovalam village is small village situated on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline. This sleepy town suddenly caught the attention of tourists from all over the world when its fabulous beaches were discovered. Kovalam beach can be divided into three parts. The most popular among the three beaches is the southern most known as the Lighthouse Beach. Middle one is called Hawah, which acts as a base for the local fisherman every morning. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times and the tourist inflow.

MORARI BEACH

Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala.

KUMARAKON BEACH

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live There in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

FORT KOCHI BEACH

Ofcourse, the main attraction on this beach site is the historic fort, still it's a must for every visitor to take up a leisurely walk through the lanes of the city of Kochi and get familiar with its eventful colonial history and European regimes who ruled it.

KAPPAD BEACH

Kappad beach came into historic books, when Vasco da Gama landed on its shores on 27th May 1498 with 170 men in three vessels 500 years ago, thus discovering a sea route to India. A pillar with inscription "Vasco Da Gama landed here, Kappakkadavau in the year 1498" stands on the beach. The beach here is very calm with a stretch of rocks projecting into the sea.

MOPPILA BAY

A natral fishing harbour situated near the St. Angelo's Fort, Mopila Bay has got quite a modernised fishing harbour look, built with assistance under the Indo-Norwegian pact. The ruined fort and temple sites are still counted among the main attractions of this harbour site.

MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH

Muzhappilangad, is considered to be one of the longest beaches in Kerala, located 15-kms south of Kannur. This beach is also the only drive-in beach in India.

PAYYAMBALAM BEACH

Located near the Kannur town is Payyambalam beach, one of the beautiful beach sites in the state of Kerala. If you prefer to surfing in calm and peaceful waters, then this place is just for you.

TANUR BEACH

Among the earliest Portuguese settlements in India, comes a small coastal fishing town of Tanur. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited this place in the year 1546 AD.

THANGASSERY BEACH

Located 5-kms from Kollam town is the Thangassery Beach, which is a sea side village of historic importance. The rural settlement has the ruins of an old Portuguese Fort and churches built in the 18th century. The 144 feet high Thangaserry Lighthouse is open to visitors from 1530-1730 hours every day.

THIRUMULLAVARAM BEACH

Roughly 6km north of Kollam, Thirumullavaram is a beautiful beach that's well linked by road and with good facilities. This beautiful beach filled with coconut palms is ideal for an early morning walk as one can see fishermen gliding into the sea for the days catch. The beach has good bathing facilities.

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

Andaman & Nicobar is the most unique Island state of India and its because of this geographic location the beaches and coastal areas of these islands are still untouched and unspoilt, making it an ideal beach holiday destination. Even if there aren't many beach resorts present on these tropical islands, still the climate and isolation has given these islands a prominence among the best tropical beach islands and a paradise of exquisite marine life.

CORBYN'S COVE & CHIRYA TAPU

One of the most picturesque sea-beaches, it is ideal for sea bathing and sun-basking. The Waves Restaurant, the Peerless Resort nearby and the Hornbill Nest Guest House at a stone's throw, provide a kaleidoscopic view of the blue waterfront.

RADHANAGAR BEACH

Radhanagar and Vijaynagar Beach in Havelock are real exposures of unpolluted nature of Andman & Nicobar Islands for an environment lover. Vijaynagar beach is just infront of Dolphin Yatri Niwas and Radhanagar beach is 7-km away from Dolphin Yatri Niwas.

HARMINDER BAY BEACH

These beautiful beaches are situated at Hut Bay Island at a distance of 100-km from the city of Port Blair and are connected by Inter Islands shipping services.

KARMATANG BEACH

Karmatang beach, at turtle nesting ground is being developed as tourist complex in Andaman Islands. Situated at Mayabunder, northern part of Middle Andaman, 240-km by road and 136-km by boat from Port Blair.

RAMNAGAR BEACH

A sandy beach of Andaman situated at Diglipur Island. It is connected by two daily boat services from Mayabunder and from Port Blair twice a week.

BEACHES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

The state of Andhra Pradesh is home to some of the most scenic beaches in India. Boasting with a long stretch of nearly 1000-kms of naturally enriched coastline, out of the twenty-three districts of Andhra Pradesh, eight are having direct access to the sea with breathtaking beauty of blue waters. The beaches of Andhra's coast here are pure and unspoiled an ideal for a beach holiday. The sands soaked with golden sunshine are ideal if you are seeking a healthy tan in the most natural surroundings..

BHEEMUNIPATNAM BEACH

The most attractive feature of Bheemunipatnam is its beach, which is perhaps matchless for its beauty all along the east coast. Considered to be one of the safest beach sites in Andhra Pradesh state, this beach site has got one of the finest sea resorts of India, known as Bheemli.

RAMAKRISHNA BEACH

The combination of both Ramakrishna Beach And Lawson's Bay present a very picturesque site. It presents quite a contrast with its long and calm water stretches from the busy city life of Vishakhaptnam.

MANGINAPUDI BEACH

Manginapudi deserve to be a must visit place because its blessed with some of the most mesmerizing scenic sites and partly from being a historic port city. It's also a popular health resort as well as an ideal picnic spot in Andhra Pradesh.

MYPAD BEACH

The brilliant coastline of the Nellore district makes its beach sites one of the most luring sites for beach lovers. Mypad is one such beach, whose lush green environment and sun kissed sands will really make you think that why they call the long strolls on the beaches are the most memorable ones.

RISHIKONDA BEACH

Rishikonda is a golden, unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea, 8 km from Vizag and an ideal for water sports lovers, especially swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers.

VODAREVU BEACH

Vodarevu makes quite a nice weekend hideout and has got quite a good share of tourist inflow, mainly because of its tranquil setting.