20 Best Beaches in India

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Mrunal & Jiten

Best Beaches in India. Blessed with a long coastal line on both the western and eastern sides, India is one exotic destination to enjoy an exhilarating beach holiday.

Several beaches on the East and west coasts of India offer all that a beach tourist desires

• clean visible seawater,
• soft sands,
• pleasant weather,
• delectable food,
• vibrance or serenity and
• water sports of International standards

While there are only a few North Goa beaches that are known to global tourists, there are several other Beaches in India that are hidden but equally enchanting.

Here is an exhaustive list of them…

Tarkarli, Maharashtra                                                                   

The second only to Goa beaches in appeal, Tarkarli beach is one of the safest beaches in Maharashtra, India.

The blue waters here beckon you for scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin spotting or just swishing around in Banana boats. You can even enjoy a tranquil odyssey on the houseboats adrift on the backwaters of the river Karli nearby.

Gokarna, Karnataka

Gokarna is a small holy town in Karnataka. The main beach here is Gokarna Beach. It is also one of the top surf beaches in India. Drop-in for delectable sea fare in any of the numerous shacks on the beach. The live music, and bonfire add to the heady concoction of surf and sand.

Besides the main beach, there are others such as Om beach that are shaped just like the Sanskrit word Om.

Half-moon Beach is another popular one here and gets its name from its unique shape. Reaching here is an adventure as it is accessible only by trekking or by ferry.

The Paradise beach has low hammocks to take you into dreamland in broad daylight!

Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu

This lovely beach is in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The name itself means place of singing waves and you perceive a rhythm in the movements of the waves.

Once here do not miss visiting the historic Thrangambadi Fort built by Danes. You could also take a stroll or enjoy horse rides. Star hotels nearby solve your need for boarding and lodging.

Radhanagar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

This Andaman and Nicobar Islands sandy coastline was named 7th best beach in Asia in the year 2004 by Times magazine. Take a 90-minute flight from Mumbai to Port Blair and catch a ferry before 2 pm to reach this captivating Havelock Island shoreline.

Sunsets in Radhanagar Beach are heavenly and the crowd collects to view this natural beauty. Mornings here are relatively calm and hence the right time for noise-free relaxation.

Bekal, Kerala

The shores of the Arabian sea hold another gem, Bekal, in the Kasaragod District of Kerala. Swaying coconut palms, boats tethered boats swaying in the waves and such sights immediately release those feel-good hormones.

One of the most popular honeymoon destinations in India, it has add-ons like Kerala hospitality, cultural programs, and delicious coastal fare. Book your holiday in Kerala now and enjoy making great memories.

Palolem Beach, Goa

Located in Canacona in South Goa, Palolem is a place to get into party mode.

Luxurious shacks dot the mile-long beach. The northern part of the beach is great for swimming as tides are calm here. The southern part of it is the favorite for tourists who love Kayaking or boat rides

Mandarmani, West Bengal

Best Beaches in India list includes Mandarmani beach located near the city of Kolkatta. The long sand bed is great for jogging, walking, and even driving four-wheelers.

Sunrises are not to be missed here. Only Red crabs keep you company on this wonder sand strip, best visited in the winter season.

Minicoy, Lakshadweep

Do you dream of a holiday in paradise beaches? Here is the right one for you!

Minicoy is a 10.5 km isolated Island in Lakshadweep, One of the largest lagoons, its crystal clear waters are shallow up to at least 1.5 km so perfect for bathing. Beaches on this Island have change rooms to support bathers and other facilities are on par with international standards.

A lovely old lighthouse nearby gives you 360 degrees view of the turquoise expanse on one side and a green expanse on another. Most visitors leave great reviews of the tourist cottages and homes and here.

Rushikonda, Andhra Pradesh

Rushikonda lies in Vizag, a city in Andhra Pradesh.

This seaboard borders lush greenery and green hills and is the best location for water skiing and water surfing. The golden sand beach attracts both locals and tourists for evening walks and jogs.

Auroville Beach, Pondicherry

If you are someone coming to India in search of inner peace, Auroville is the right place to land. The beach is located just 8 minutes by car from Aurobindo Ashram, a center for Yoga Meditation and tranquility.  

The beach is as serene as the Ashram on weekdays. Give a visit here during the winter season, watch the dreamy sea waves move in a rhythm that gently eases you into a state of mellowness.

Once here also check out the Botanical Gardens, Spa, wellness, and massage spots.

Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

There is another gem in Pondichery that only a few know. Serenity is sandy at places and rocky in a few spots. 

Your camera may go click, click, click, recording the mesmerizing views of nature here.

Laze on the beach or walk into the town for shopping. Pondichery was a Portuguese colony at one point in time in history and one can see glimpses of it in the town.

Covelong Beach, Chennai

The Bay of Bengal borders India on the east and has multiple sandy shores that are great spots to go foot lose.

Come to Covelong which was the first to start a surfing school in India. Nowadays there are numerous surfing schools that offer their facilities to both amateurs and professionals to tame the waves with expert knowledge.

Covelong is connected to the Metropolitan city of Chennai by Road and local trains. A Crocodile Farm is a nearby attraction.

Mahabalipuram Beach, Chennai

Fifty-eight kilometers from Chennai is another shimmering sea seaboard called Mahabalipuram. Bicycle rides are popular on this beach and so are swimming and sunbathing.

The azure waters are great for scuba, banana ride, and motor gliding. Kids will surely love camel and horse rides here.

There are a lot of avenues for beach shopping. The Shore temple and its architectural marvels nearby are an added attraction. Dance Festival between December and January attracts cultural tourists in huge numbers.

Ganapatipule Beach, Konkan

This beautiful beach is 375 km away from the city of Mumbai. It is a place where the whole family can enjoy. Adventure tourists prefer paragliding, motorboats, pedal boats, and water scooters.

There are various trials that trekkers can take towards this beach.

Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Juhu is one of the popular beaches in Mumbai. This 6 km long beach is crowded on weekends and holidays. It is a popular spot for the Bollywood movie industry. Food courts on the shore serve yummy street food.

Some nearest Mumbai suburbs are Andheri, Santa Cruz, or Vile Parle.

Mandvi Beach, Gujarat

Mandavi is next on the record of incredible Beaches in India. It is located in Kutch, Gujarat.

The town is a busy port. When the Sun is dipping in the horizon, colorful stalls open serving yummy street food to hungry foodies. Nil garbage here is a plus. Camel rides and ATV zorbing are immensely popular here.

The best time to visit here is in the month of December.

Agati Island, Lakshadweep

This place is a Couples getaway! A Coral atoll in Lakshadweep, can be reached by air from Kochin.

The waters are a sensory pleasure and seafood is a tongue tantalizer. Underwater fishing and scuba diving and kayaking are in high demand.

Admit permit is mandatory so plan in advance for this trip.

Konark Beach, Odisha

It is also called Chandrabhaga beach. Very near the popular Konark temple and among the top beaches, Konark beach has the Blue flag certification. It means that it is an environment-friendly beach that is clean and has amenities of international standards.

Beach tents with amenities attract visitors who spend their time admiring the rising and dipping sun.

Wandoor Beach, Port Blair

Wandoor has azure waters on one side and forest on the other. It is accessible only through a road in the forest. This beach serves as an entrance gate to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine national park.

The beach is 15 km long with normal currents and perfect for bathing and swimming. Calm and tranquility with sparse crowds, this is the place to lay on the beach, open a book and forget the world.

Yarada Beach, Visakhapatnam

Bring your stress to this beach and throw it in the sea as this beach is known to relax both your body and mind. This is one of the special Beaches in India to view the glorious sunrise and sunsets.

Families, couples, or solo, it is suitable for any type of tourist and the memories you take back may never fade.

Remember pets are not allowed and swimming is not advised because of the strong currents. The time to visit here is November to February.

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