Beaches of India

With over a 7,500 km coastline, India has some of the best beaches in the world. The golden sands and tropical warm waters offer the perfect culmination to an exciting holiday. Besides sandy beaches and aquatic adventures, these beach destinations also offer a myriad of experiences including cultural insights; culinary delights; soft adventure activities; and wellness therapies. Here are some of the most popular beach destinations in India.

Goa

India’s smallest state, Goa has over a 100 km of coastline. A perennial favourite with sun worshippers, Goa is renowned for its golden beaches fringed with coconut palms, and for its colourful nightlife. Formerly a Portuguese colony, Goa is an intriguing melting pot of Indian and European cultures, which is reflected in its colonial architecture and unique cuisine. The old quarters of Goa (also called Velha Goa) have some magnificent churches; basilicas; and ochre-hued colonial style mansions. Goa has a wide range of accommodation options from modest guest houses to exclusive luxury resorts.

Kerala

The southern state of Kerala has several excellent stretches of sandy beaches lined with coconut groves. The most popular of them is Kovalam with its three spectacular crescent beaches. It is also a good base to explore Thiruvananthapuram’s grand temples and palaces, or Kanyakumari, at the southernmost tip of India. Marari (or Mararikulam) near Kochi is another excellent beach town with a thriving fishing community; a charming village; and ancient temples. The famous backwaters of Kerala can be accessed just under an hour’s drive from Marari. In between Marari and Kovalam is Varkala, a popular beach with dramatic red cliffs. Varkala is one of the best places for surfing in India. If you are looking for more secluded beaches, travel north to Nileshwar or Bekal, a less touristy part of Kerala. There are some pristine, less crowded beaches with only a handful of luxury resorts.

Andaman Islands

An archipelago of over 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Islands are renowned for their mangroves; dense rainforests; and palm-lined white-sand beaches. Once an infamous penal colony of British India, these islands have remained largely cut off from modernisation and mass tourism. Their remote location; secluded beaches; and crystal-clear waters make Andamans one of the most sought-after beach destinations in India, today. Covered by the primaeval lush green tropical forest, the archipelago supports a profusion of wildlife, including some extremely rare bird species, but the principal attraction lies offshore, around the pristine reefs that ring most of the islands. Andaman Sea has some of the world’s richest and unspoilt coral reefs that attract manta rays; moray eels; dugongs; white-tip reef sharks; and a wide variety of marine fishes. Port Blair has the only airport in the Andamans with flights from Chennai; Vishakhapatnam; and Kolkata. Generally, a night halt is required at Port Blair before travelling to the other islands. The most notable landmark of Port Blair is the seafront Cellular Jail, a stark reminder of the bleak colonial past. Havelock Island is the most beautiful and popular island in the archipelago and has the best accommodation options in the Andamans. Havelock Island is accessed from Port Blair by a ferry. The Radhanagar beach of Havelock Island is often rated as the best beach in India. Havelock Island offers excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities all year round. Its several shallow, sheltered diving sites are excellent for beginners. Only about 37 islands of Andamans are permanently inhabited, mainly by indigenous tribes. These tiny islands have untouched beaches; abundant marine life; rich birdlife and are perfect for a day trip from Havelock or Port Blair. Some of the most popular islands are the Neil Island; Long Island; Ross Island; and Baratang Island. Neil Island’s southern coast has a drop-off into the deep waters not too far from the coast and offers thrilling diving opportunities with a chance to see big marine animals.