India is a land of beauty filled with gorgeous landscapes, astounding beaches and striking mountains. However, when we think of India’s beaches, our mind automatically wanders to Goa.
But our country has a plethora of beaches to its name that remain less explored and unknown to the public.
From those that are known for their calm and serene ambience to those that hold the biggest parties, here’s where you should go next.
Here are the Most Popular Beaches to Visit In India For Holidays & Fun:
Kovalam, Kerala
Not too far from the capital city of Trivandrum, Kovalam is easily the most developed among Kerala’s beaches. Nestled in the golden sand amid sapphire blue waters and palm trees, you will find tourists from various corners of the world here.
Made up of two coves – Hawa and Lighthouse, the latter is the bigger with a series of open-air restaurants. The lighthouse of the beach is open to tourists wherefrom you get a spectacular view of the sunset. Many water sports including surfing are also very popular in the beach.
How to reach: The nearest airport to the beach is Trivandrum International Airport, located 10 km away while the nearest railway station is Thiruvanthapuram Central wherefrom the beach is 16 km away.
Best time to visit: Ideal months to visit the Kovalam beach are the winter months of November to February. Kerala becomes extremely hot and humid during the summer seasons and thus sees a marked drop in the number of tourists.
Gokarna, Karnataka
If you can’t wait to sink your feet deep in sand and feel the cool waters of sea wash over them while enjoying a certain degree of solitude, Gokarna is probably the place you are in search of.
A small, Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka, Gokarna is paradise for beach lovers with 4 calm and secluded beach to its name. The land of breathtaking scenery and pristine beaches, Gokarna is a relatively newfound tourist attraction.
The beaches Kudle and Om – located a little away from the town, almost gives you feeling of a private beach. Clad in coconut and palm trees, Gokarna is the place to relax and rejuvenate. The place is also popular among pious pilgrims owing to the presence of the famed Mahabalswara Temple.
How to reach: The best way to travel to Gokarna is via train wherein the nearest station is Ankola, 20 km away from Gokarna. From the station you may travel via taxi or auto-rickshaw. If you are planning to travel by air, the Dabolim airport of Goa is the closest.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Gokarna is October to March when the temperature average is 32 degree Celsius.
Palolem, Goa
The most popular beach in South Goa, Palolem Beach is undeniably the state’s most striking beach. Enclosed by a forest of coconut and palm trees, this mile-long beach represents somewhat of a semi-circle.
Although quite lively it gives of a relaxed vibe and makes you feel like you’re far away from the concrete jungle. From hippies to families, everyone can find a place for themselves on the golden sand beach of Palolem.
The north side of the beach attracts families for its serene atmosphere and gentle waters while the middle and southern sections are for travelers who are into parties.
The beach offers some water activities like kayaking, fishing or dolphin spotting. You may also hike your way up to the Butterfly Beach.
How to reach: People choosing to travel by flight must take a flight to Dabolim airport of Goa and for those traveling via train should choose to get down at Madgaon. Taxis are available in abundance from both, airport and station to reach Vasco Da Gama.
Best time to visit: November to February would be the ideal time to visit Palolem.
Tarkarli, Maharashtra
A quaint and charming hamlet in Southern Maharashtra, Tarkali is a white sand beach known for its sparkling sea water, coral reefs and a sea fort named Singhudurg. The beauty of the area remains untarnished and unfiltered as the area remains a secret from majority of the world.
It will teach you how to make the most of life by enjoying it one day at a time. Delightful little homestays are located right on the beach which are run by amiable locales with unhurried lifestyles.
So visit this quiet beach, get in touch with Mother Nature, walk the land of pristine white tranquil beaches and gorge on delectable Malvani food.
How to reach: One may board various trains from major cities such as Mumbai, Pune or Goa to reach Tarkali. The nearest station to the destination is Kudal which is 45 km away.
Best time to visit: The winter months are the most favourable time to plan a trip to Tarkali.
Agonda, Goa
Looking for a much needed break from the boisterous city life? Come rejuvenate yourself in Agonda. This 2 mile long stretch of a beach is lined by small huts so you may easily find accommodation in any of them.
Live right on the beach and wake up to the sound of the sea water hitting the shore, start your day with a swim in the sea, eat food from the tiny shacks lined on the beach, and spend your trip simply enjoying being alive.
If you fancy a boat trip you may visit the Butterfly or Honeymoon beach. If you want to scout the region, you may visit the offbeat location of Cabo De Rama Fort, the ruins of the Portuguese fort are lovely to explore.
How to reach: If you are travelling via train, you will want to get down at Marago wherefrom you will be able to visit the beach at price of 800 rupees in a cab. If you are choosing the train, you must land at the Dabolim airport wherefrom the journey to the beach will cost you approximately 2000 rupees.
Best time to visit: The weather at Agonda remains relatively warm throughout the year with the monsoon season kicking in June to August wherein the beach becomes deserted. Tourist season is from October to March.
Varkala, Kerala
Varkala beach also locally popular as the Papanasam beach, is located at a 45 minutes distance from Kerala’s capital, Trivandrum. Although Kovalam has now been heavily commercialized, the Varkala beach remains relatively peaceful and is a haven for swimming and sun-bathing.
The seemingly endless stretch of blue seawater blending into the limitless sky, makes it the ideal location to simply gaze at the horizon or catch beautiful sunsets.
The beach is bordered by red laterite cliffs, tall coconut trees and shacks on one side while the other has views that extend over the Arabian Sea. Nestled at the bottom of this cliff is the clean and secluded 500 m stretch of the Varkala beach.
It has only recently garnered much attention among tourists for its heavenly blue waters, long sandy beach and soothing freshwater mineral springs. Kerala has a host of beaches to its name but Varkala still remains unexplored and thus less crowded which further exemplifies its beauty.
If you want a relaxing day at the beach, to swim, play volley ball or practice yoga, Varkala beach is your ideal location. The perfect place to sit back and relax.
How to reach: The Varkala beach is located at 10 minute distance from the Varkala town. If you are traveling via air, you may land at Trivandrum or Kochi which are approximately 1 hour or 4 hours from the beach, respectively. If your choice of travel is train, there are about 20 Indian railways that stop at the station. You may take an auto-rickshaw from the train station to the beach which will cost you around 100 rupees.
Best time to visit: Varkala has a very hot and humid climate area which sees intense downpour during monsoon. The best time to visit the place would be Late December to March as the temperature remains quite pleasant around the time.
Radhanagar beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Once upon a time crowned to be Asia’s Best Beach by the popular TIME Magazine, no list of popular beaches is complete without the inclusion of Radhanagar Beach or Beach No. 7.
Situated on Havelock Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the exotic beach is famous for its still turquoise blue waters and fine white sand.
The astounding beauty of the place is widely popular among the couples owing to its romantic vibe and ideal location. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar have many beaches to its name but none as gorgeous as the Radhanagar beach.
How to reach: From Port Blair, private and government owned ferries are available to Havelock Island. From the drop location you must avail a cab, auto or rickshaw to travel 12 km to the beach.
Best time to visit: October-May is the ideal time to plan a trip to the serene beaches of Radhanagar.
Muzhappilangad, Kerala
Renowned for being Kerala’s only and Asia’s longest drive-in beach, Muzhappilangad is easily one of the best beaches in the world. This crescent-shaped beach is located between Kannur and Thalassery in the northern Kerala.
The beach lets you ride 4 km in its sand with the gorgeous view of the Malabar Coast keeping you company. The shacks along the coast offer authentic Malabar delicacies.
The beach remains protected by black rocks that protect the waters from turbulent currents and keeps the surf gentle, thus making it ideal for a swim. One may also participate in adventure sports like paragliding or parasailing.
How to reach: It is best to travel via train to Kannur wherefrom the beach is about 16 km.
Best time to visit: The months between October-May.
Yarada beach, Andhra Pradesh
A virgin beach of India in the Yarada village of Andhra Pradesh, the Yarada beach is a thing of beauty. Quite far from the nearest city of Vizag, the route to the beach is surrounded by lush green forest and the loyal company of the Bay of Bengal.
You can enjoy a beautiful picnic in the secluded shores of the beach where you can see mountains colliding with the sea. Don’t forget to stick around for the sunset!
How to reach: Yarada beach is a 15 km drive from Visakhapatnam.
Best time to visit: The best months to visit the scenic beach would be November-February.
Dhanushkodi Beach, Rameswaram
The quintessential gateway beach from the frantic and fanatic city life, Dhanushkodi Beach is a visual treat. 20 km away from the main town of Rameswaram and known for its religious significance, the Ram Setu is said to be visible from the beach.
Easily given a miss by the tourists due to its hard to travel to feature, Dhanushkodi is India’s hidden gem.
How to reach: From Rameswaram, you can easily get various local transport to the beach.
Best time to visit: The winter months of October to February.
Chandipur, Odisha
One of the world’s most unique and unusual beach, Chandipur lures in tourists by troves. Why is it so unique, you ask? In Chandipur, you can walk on water! More or less. Twice a day, the sea at Chandipur disappears or technically recedes up to 5 km during low tide and once again fills back up during high tide.
Once the waters have receded you can take your own sweet time to explore the seabed, ride a bike, acquaint yourself with the red crabs, and collect sea-shells for souvenirs.
How to reach: After landing at Bhubaneswar, one may either opt for a bus or train facility to reach the shores of Chandipur.
Best time to visit: Chandipur is best enjoyed during the winter seasons.
Arambol, Goa
Resembling one of those cliché movie tropes, the Arambol beach underwent major transformation from becoming a drowsy fishing village to the most happening beach of Goa.
Majorly a safe haven for hippies, Arambol has begun attracting much crowd with its live music, alternative therapies like yoga, reiki and meditation. The beach is also popular for its sweet water lake with shallow waters that is great for swimming.
The sand here is said to have healing properties as well. To maintain a semblance of its previous façade, the beach is devoid of any classy resorts and consists of only simple guesthouses.
Arambol is not a place of serenity on most occasions but a lively gathering of people of different cultures. Every soul has a home in Arambol.
How to reach: Arambol beach is located at a 2 hour driving distance from Dabolim airport.
Best time to visit: The ideal time to take a trip to Arambol would be October to February when the weather is cool and pleasant.
Mandarmani beach, West Bengal
An up and coming beach resort town located near Kolkata, West Bengal, this 8 mile long stretch of beach makes for the perfect weekend gateway. With picturesque sceneries, calm waters and exquisite resorts, Mandarmani has every potential to become the next beach hotspot.
The sandy beaches are also home to profuse sea animals like jellyfishes, red crabs or starfishes. Every resort here is beach-front with lawns, pools and offers a wide range of delectable seafood.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Mandarmani is Kolkata which remains well connected to the beach. To travel via the road one has to choose the Kolkata-Digha route.
Best time to visit: October to February would be ideal to fully experience Mandarmani.
Minicoy, Lakshadweep
Minicoy or locally called Maliku, is one of the 36 islets of the group of islands in Lakshwadeep. Located amidst the expanse of the Arabian Sea, the small coral island is known for its bright coral reefs, powder white sand, postcard-perfect beaches and absolute solitude.
This charming little beach is still inhabited and remains undisturbed making it the ideal romantic gateway. You can also partake in scuba diving or snorkeling to explore the seabed and coral reefs. If you are looking for a place to appreciate the untarnished beauty of nature, you will find your match in Minicoy.
How to reach: There are no direct flights from Kochi to Minicoy. You may fly to Agatti Island and then travel to the island.
Best time to visit: Possessing a tropical climate, Minicoy remains warm through the year. It is best to visit the island in the months of September until May. November however exhibits the most favourable weather.
Kalapathar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
One of the most popular beaches in Havelock Island, Kalapthar is a scenic beach with silky white sand and huge chunks of black rocks and aqua green sea. Owing its name to the black road that runs parallel to the beach, the drive to the beach makes for a mesmerizing journey.
With great dense forests shrouding the beach and black rocks in contrast with the white sand, the Kalapathar makes for a must visit beach. The ocean is however not perfect for swimming or other water sport activities.
How to reach: One has to reach the Havelock Island by taking a ferry from Port Blair. To reach this gorgeous beach a cycle or bike, or other four wheelers can be booked.
Best time to visit: October-May are the perfect months for a trip to the Kalapathar Beach.
Conclusion
A strange quality of any beach is that when you sit on its sandy shores, your real life problems seem very small. The salty air, endless blue waters and gorgeous sunsets are the ideal location to rejuvenate, relax and find yourself.
So, plan your trip to any of these aforementioned beaches and feel your troubles start to dissipate.
