With one of the world’s longest coastline at its disposal, India has incredibly
scenic beaches that offer everything from solitude and sunbathing to parties
and adventure, there are some beaches that you shouldn't miss out.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
A long stretch of white sandy beach running alongside the Malabar
Coast—Kovalam beach has been Kerala’s most popular destination for years.
Located16 km from Trivandrum, the beach is a union of three coves, namely the
Hawa Beach, the Lighthouse beach and the Samudra Beach. Named after the
lighthouse perched atop the Kurumkal Hill, the Lighthouse beach is the one most
frequented by tourists.
Palolem Beach, Goa
Enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms in south Goa, Palolem Beach,
known for its dolphin-spotting tours, is arguably the state’s most idyllic
beach. Its southern end tends to be much busier while the northern stretch is
comparatively quieter being surrounded by a picturesque island that you can
walk out to during low tide.
Baga Beach, Goa
For those who like long sandy beaches packed with lively shacks and a party
atmosphere, Baga beach in north Goa is the perfect destination. Water sports,
para sailing, dolphin sightseeing, beach shacks, bars and clubs—you’ll find
them all here! The crowd here is young and lively, the music loud, and the
atmosphere runs from cheerful to crazy.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Bestowed with the precious award of ‘Asia’s best beach’ by Time Magazine in
2004, Radhanagar beach is undoubtedly one of the most tranquil beaches of the
Andaman Islands. Fine white sand and turquoise blue waters are the hallmark of
this beautiful stretch and the beach, situated on Havelock Island, is most
commonly known as Beach No 7.
Varkala Beach, Kerala
Lying along the edge of stunning cliffs, Varkala Beach is located an hour’s
drive north of Trivandrum in Kerala. A haven for sun-bathing and swimming, the
beach offers picturesque evening views that extend over the Arabian Sea. The
beach is believed to have medicinal and curative properties and a dip in its
waters is believed to purge the body of all impurities.
Tarkarli Beach, Malvan
A long coastline and pristine clear waters make this beach ideal for a
romantic escape. Located at the confluence of the Karli River and the Arabian
Sea, the Tarkarli beach is popular because of its clear waters, where on a
fairly sunny day one can see the seabed up to a depth of 20 feet.
Arambol Beach, Goa
Approached by a winding road that leads through a groove of cashew trees,
Arambol beach is Goa’s hippy hangout in the northern part of the state. At a
visible distance near the shore of the beach is a scenic freshwater pond which
is perfect for swimming.
Varca Beach, Goa
A seemingly endless strip of sand, Varca beach is a quiet, calm and almost
entirely hawker-free beach. Situated about 2 km from Benaulim, the beach is
marked by a number of wooden boats, belonging to the fishermen of the city.
Known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, Varca makes it easy for
visitors to spend some time on the beach in solitude.
Marari Beach, Kerala
Little known Marari Beach, not far from Alleppey, is perfect for those
wanting to explore the Kerala backwaters along with its many beaches. With
golden sands and palm trees, the beach is great for sea surfing, water skiing,
parasailing and deep-sea fishing. The name Marari originates from
'Mararikulum', a small and sleepy fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast.
Mandarmani Beach, Kolkata
About 180 km south of Kolkata, Mandarmani is a sleepy fishing village that
is home to a heavenly beach stretching nearly 15 km, making it one of the
longest drivable beaches in India. It is also one of the most unpolluted
beaches in the country, and supports countless colonies of red sand bubbler
crabs.