India Travel

Beaches in India

India beaches have been the perfect destination for the sun-starved traveler from around the world for decades now. The beaches in India offer intoxicating combination of sun, sand and surf with a dose of Indian hospitality. Though beaches all over world are about the three S i.e. Sun, Surf and Sand but beaches in India promise to take you beyond the three S. Ayurveda and Yoga are added attractions on the beaches of India. Relax, rejuvenate and discover a new you on the beaches of India.

Beaches in Goa

Anjuna Beach
If action is at the center of your beach vacation in Goa, perhaps there is no better beach than Anjuna Beach to let your hair down and enjoy. Just eight kilometres away from Mapusa, Anjuna Beach is the hip and happening beach in Goa. Once the favourite haunt of the hippies in the 1960s, Anjuna has not lost is love for full moon parties. Music and dance is what define nightlife at Arjuna Beach. For the one who prefers easy pace; sun, sand and sea offer an intoxicating cocktail.

Benaulim Beach
Beaches in general don't have a mythological tale attached to them. But Benaulim in Goa is exception to this; it is the place where arrow of the warrior saint Parasurama landed when he ordered the sea to recede. Dolphin cruises are what attract many to this beach. The white powdery sand and cool blue waters are another added attraction. The beach gets crowded during weekends, when local visitors throng the beach.

Bogmalo Beach
Swaying coconut palms, warm sand and clean blue waters kissing the beach. This is Bogmalo Beach for you on the coast of Goa. The sun bathing is a popular activity at this beach. The beach is the right place for the one, who loves serenity and quietude. The beach shacks and red brick huts further add to the beauty of the beach. Laze in the warm sand, soak in the beauty of the sun or simply swim your way to fun and frolic in the blue waters at Bogmalo Beach.

Calangute Beach
This one is most popular among the beaches in Goa and aptly known as the queen of the beaches. A favorite among beach lovers, Calangute reflects the true face of Goan beaches. Swaying palm trees, soft powdery sand and blue waters of the Arabian Sea kissing the beach, offer a wonderful vacation spot. Saltpans and ancient monuments further add to the beauty of the beach. Of late Calanguate has become a shopping beach destination. With Kashmiri-run handicraft stalls, Tibetan shops and dotting the beach. You can also shop for handicraft items from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Chapora Beach
Picture this: Fishermen heading for the sea, women selling fish and the traditional wares. Elsewhere: Some locals building boats, others busy in their daily chores. Tourists: Enjoying the lazy pace of life at the beach lazing on the soft sand. Welcome to Chapora Beach. Just 10 kilometres from Mapusa, Chapora Beach unfolds a page of rustic Goa.

Cavelossim Beach
Beautifully tucked between the Arabian Sea on the one side and the Sal River on the other, Cavelossim Beach is a beach beauty in South Goa. Dolphin trips, paddy fields and sun set cruises on the river Sal are what make Cavelossim Beach different from other beaches in Goa. Relax and sun bathe on the soft sands of the Cavelossim Beach.

Colva Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Goa, Colva Beach is about six kilometres from Margao. A complete beach destination, Colva is quite popular for its long stretch of white sands and swaying palm groves. A stream runs through the beach, which further enhances the beauty of the beach. The church of Our Lady of Mercy is the major attraction here. Good accommodation options further help in enjoying the beach ambience.

Candolim Beach
Stroll on the soft sandy beach as cool blue waters kiss your feet. Polish off plates of the fresh seafood at the beach shack restaurant and soak in the beauty of the tropic sun. Welcome to Candolim Beach. The beach has much to offer besides the sun, sand and surf. Fort Aguada nearby makes a wonderful trip back in time.

Dona Paula Beach
Lover's paradise is what they say about Dona Paula Beach. But it is more than just that. An excellent place for water sports and an exciting shopping beach destination, Dona Paula Beach loves action. Be it lover frolicking in the waters or a water scooter zooming past the surfers, Dona Paula Beach is about living life to the hilt.

Majorda Beach
The white soft sand and blue waters of the Arabian Sea offer a picturesque sight at the Majorda Beach. Besides a favorite haunt of the sun-starved tourists, Majorda is a gourmet's delight. Famous for its baked breads, Majorda is the place where you can enjoy fine European breads. A trip to Majorda is incomplete without enjoying seafood delicacies.

Palolem Beach
Palolem Beach also called the 'Tiny Bay of Goa' is a beautiful beach destination. The sea is calm and the water is shallow, which makes it easier to swim. Swaying palm groves look like a green canopy on the white sands. Sun bathing is a popular activity at the Palolem Beach.

Vagator Beach
A picture post card with white sandy beach, swaying coconut palms, blue waters and Portuguese style bungalows in the backdrop is what best describes the Vagator Beach. The beach is lined with coconut groves and is an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate.

Varca Beach
Just two kilometres from Benaulim, Varca Beach is known for its soft sand and serene atmosphere. Palm thatched roofs and fishing boats line the beach that offers a wonderful photo op. A number of beach shacks that dot the beach offer sumptuous Goan food. Boat trips and dolphin watching are other exciting activity that you can enjoy at Varca Beach.

Velsao Beach
A treasure trove of natural beauty, Velsao Beach in the south of Goa is a wonderful beach destination. Away from the maddening crowd, Velsao Beach offers a classic combination of sun, sand and surf with a tranquil atmosphere to let your hair down. An exciting place to relax and unwind.

Beaches in Tamil Nadu

Mahabalipuram Beach
Though Tamil Nadu is famous for its temples, there are beaches in the state that are equally captivating. Mahabalipuram Beach is one such beautiful beach that attracts tourists from all over India and abroad. Shore Temple is another highlight of the beach. On Saturdays, you can also enjoy dance or music performance at the temple.

Beaches in Maharashtra
Ganapatipule Beach
Named after the elephant headed God, Ganesha and Pule (means sand dunes), Ganapatipule is one of the pristine beaches in Maharashtra. The golden beach offers wonderful opportunity for water sports. The beach is quite safe for swimming. A trip to Ganapatipule is incomplete without a visit to the Ganapati Temple there.

Beaches in Kerala

Kovalam Beach
One of the popular beaches in Kerala, Kovalam is an exciting beach destination. The golden sands and a canopy of coconut groves is what attract tourist to this beach just 16 kilometres away from the capital city Thiruvananthapuram. An excellent infrastructure has made it quite popular among both domestic and foreign tourists. Ayurvedic massage and Catamaran cruises are two activities that are a must at Kovalam.

Beaches in Gujarat

Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach
One of the finest beaches in Gujarat, Ahmedpur Mandvi is an ideal spot for water sports lovers. You can enjoy skiing, surfing, Para sailing and water scooting. For the less adventurous one, a quiet stroll along the beach is a wonderful thing to do. One can also enjoy the scenic beauty or explore the fishing hamlets near by.

Porbandar Beach
As the birthplace of Mahatama Gandhi, Porbander in Gujarat is quite popular. But many may not know that Porbander has a beach as well. Located between Veraval and Dwarka, Porbander Beach is perfect getaway just to unwind and relax. You can also visit beach villas near the beach.

Beaches in Orissa

Puri Beach
The playful waves on the Puri Beach seem to welcome you as they rush to the shore to greet you. Though Puri see the continuous influx of tourists throughout the year, it's better to time your vacation around the famous Chariot festival in the month of November, when Gods come on the streets of Puri. However, you can visit the beach any time. It is always bustling with tourists and locals alike. Women in their traditional dress line the beach selling shell and crystal jewellery. Others haggle to get an ideal bargain for the shiny fish or a fresh caught prawn.

Andaman and Nicobar Beaches

Andaman and Nicobar beaches are not only about sun and sand but the beaches here also offer an exciting opportunity to enjoy an exotic marine life. Crystal clear waters and soft white sands are what punctuate the beautiful beaches in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Andaman and Nicobar is an archipelago of about 572 emerald islands.

Daman & Diu Beaches
The tranquillity is what symbolises the beaches of Daman and Diu Islands. The twin islands are a perfect example of a place where history and nature meet. Daman was the Portuguese colony for over four centuries and joined the Indian Union in 1961. These twin islands of Daman and Diu attract tourists from all over the world and offer peace and solitude to city-jaded souls.

Lakshadweep Beaches
If you are looking for a beach destination, which is different from the rest, Lakshadweep is the place to visit. Lakshadweep is surrounded by water on all the four sides and is made of 36 islands. The turquoise blue and a rich marine life is what attract tourists to the beaches in Lakshadweep.