Top Beaches In India

With a coastline that stretches more than 7000 kms, from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, the Indian landmass offers tourists a plethora of beautiful beaches. Some are white sandy shores, some pebbled, some are fringed by palm trees, others pop out of swamps and mangroves. You will find varied beaches in India, from Agonda Beach in Goa to Havelock Island Beach in Andaman, Kovalam in Kerala to Juhu Beach in Mumbai. Here's our list of the top beaches in India.

If sun baked white sands and surf friendly shimmering waters are what you crave for, Agonda is where you should head. This enchanting beach, considered one of India’s most beautiful is located in southern Goa, only 47 miles from Panaji. If solitude is what you seek, this is a great place to unwind.

Supernaturally beautiful, this island is a part of the enthralling archipelago of Andaman Islands and is the preferred choice of beach lovers. Its magically clear waters and fine warm sands have lured tourists from around the world. The pristine beach is home to a variety of flora and enthusiasts love it for its serene secluded location. 

For the more boisterous amongst tourists, Goa offers Anjuna beach, famous for its psychedelic and trance parties. It is located in a small village in northern Goa, and has earned its reputation as the freak capital owing to its magical dancing nights. You would be very lucky if you happen to arrive on a full moon night, for it is then that Anjuna beach shows its intoxicating enthusiasm. It is also famous for its reddish lateritic rocks and a safe sun bathing environment.

This is one of the finest beaches in the Indian coastline and is often referred to as ‘paradise of the south’. And it’s not without reason. With its clear azure skies, idyllic sea waters, and soft whitish sands this is pastoral relief for tourists from India and around the world. There is a multitude of interesting activities that one can do here. From getting therapeutic massages to indulging in water sports, tourists can delight themselves at the sun kissed beach of Kovalam amidst the swaying coconut trees. 

Being a part of the Andaman Islands, this beach is a favorite amongst foreign tourists in India who wish to unwind in a remote alienated place and become one with nature. Visit it for its lush green vegetation and gorgeous landscape.  And while you are there indulge in outdoor activities like snorkeling in shallow waters or cycling along the sandy beaches. Its marvelous clean waters will wash your spirit clean while you sun bathe away to glory. Only 40 kms off from Port Blair, its fascinating tranquility is reason enough for you to experience it.

In the middle of the chaos of the buzzing city of Mumbai, lies the much popular Juhu beach. Arguably one of the most popular beaches of Maharashtra, Juhu does not delight with its sand or surf. With the constant hum drum of hawkers selling typical Indian street snacks to the hordes of people that visit it, Juhu beach will surely astonish you. This is quintessentially Indian in its offering and tourist friendly too. Visit for the experience and not for sun, surf or sand.

This is a huge departure from the usual beaches found in India, in the sense that it captivates with its shore temples. Mamallapuram, which are the famous shrines of 7^th century, (also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) overlook an enchanting panoramic Bay of Bengal while the sandy beaches are home to hundreds of curious tourists. It’s more than just a beach. It’s an amalgamation of surreal natural beauty and the echo of the greatness of Indian architecture.

For a lot of travelers, this beach is more of a temporary idyllic unwinding space and less of a holiday destination. But that does not discount its popularity and serene capacity to invite onlookers and tourists throughout the year. Similar to the Juhu beach in some ways but historically still differentiated, tourists have a great time munching south Indian snacks while taking long walks on the Marina beach. It is the second longest beach in the world. 

Offering spectacular views of the confluence of the Arasalar River and the sea, Karaikal beach captivates tourists with its sheer beauty. The beach is easily accessible by regular buses from Pondicherry. The nearest railway station is Nagore and airport is Trichy. The beach, famous for gorgeous sunsets and a boating club located in the backwaters of the Arasalar River has lured tourists from all over the country. Also the resorts and cottages are not just easily available but also pocket friendly. It is considered a very safe beach for unwinding and enjoying with family or friends.

Often included in the list of the world’s most secluded beach Bangaram beach is a hot favorite for foreign tourists in India. Close to the Agatti airport, this is one of the most exotic beaches in India. Its coral reefs and clear blue waters make this place extra special. A very tourist friendly beach, Bangaram also delights its visitors with such adventure activities as kayaking, glass bottom boat sailing as well as turtle snorkeling. If exotic and splendid is what you relish, Bangaram is waiting for you.

Named 'jewel of the east,' the Rishikonda Beach of Visakhapatnam is all about pristine clear waters of the Bay of Bengal and charming gold-glinting sands of Andhra Pradesh. This beach may not have anything special in its kitty, but the usual that it tends to offer in reference to its natural beauty, charming weather and the clear frothy sea, makes Rishikonda Beach a hot favourite among the locals of South India. It is a family beach so you can take you kids, friends, families down here and chill by the bay, literally.

Arambol, a fisherman's village located in close proximity to Northern Goa, is also renowned for its famous Arambol Beach. This beach tops the charts on Goa's best, what with its less than usual crowds, serene vibes, winter-friendly sceneries and of course, the sweet water lagoon that it boasts of. Yes, in addition to the mighty Arabian sea, tourists also get to enjoy in the nearby lake lying adjacent to the beach. It is located on the Kalacha Beach and its water is said to have healing and medicinal properties. So a dip in the sweet water lake is inevitable!

Arambol is also great to chill at the shacks, drink beers, and stroll shopping through its local markets.

One of the most famous beaches of Kerala, the Varkala Beach is only about a 45-min drive away from Trivandrum. The beach is a non-commercial place, and shows a good quiet time, filled with peace, away from the otherwise crowded Kovalam Beach. The Varkala Beach is a stunning sight in itself, suffused with a bordering cliff and the paved paths that are fringed by shacks, stalls and studios for spa, Ayurvedic treatments and yoga. A real retreat, if there was one.

Palolem Beach, another beach from Goa's rich repertoire is one that is ensconced by thick grooves of coconut trees and palm trees. Located in the region of South Goa, Palolem Beach is very coveted among travellers; for it is scenic and pretty and semi-circle in shape. This has led to the beach growing in crowds and popularity and it comes alive every day and ever night, at the same time painting its laid-back vibe. You might find movable shacks and trucks here selling food, water and knick-knacks, but there are no permanent buildings allowed to be built around the beach inorder to maintain its natural charm.

Chandipur Beach, a beach that is among the most unusual beaches of the world, is just as unique in its existence. Why, you ask? 

Because it disappears from time to time, like a Phantom. One minute you can see the sea in front of you and the next, its tide has receded so low that you'd think there is nothing but land stretching in front of you. Twice a day, every day, the tide goes back to almost 5 km from the original seashore and hence you get to explore the land that was otherwise buried under the sea. With its shells and precious pearls, red crabs and driftwood and beechwood, the sea bed is rich in everything that the sea was in. So if you go to Orissa then do not miss this beach, which is only four and half hour's drive away from Bhubaneswar.

What is so unique about the Dhanushkodi Beach is that it is the place where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean. You can really see the two different waters, of two different shades of blue, come together at a point of this beach, almost swirling together. Hence it is a jewel of Tamil Nadu, inviting tourists that come to Rameshwaram nearby. Dhanushkodi is also the closest tip of India to Sri Lanka and is believed to be the point from where Lord Ram and his Vaanar sena built the Ram setu to wage war on Lanka. The beach village itself was once a flourishing fishing town, but got wiped away in the cyclone of '64. Since then, it has not been able to achieve its previous opulence but continues to be a great tourist attraction.