Beach Towns
Beaches
Somewhere to base yourself for a week rather than a single stretch of sand.
106 places
Lakshadweep
Agatti Island
The gateway to Lakshadweep with its own airport, Agatti is ringed by a vivid turquoise lagoon and coral reefs, with snorkelling, diving and lagoon kayaking run from the island. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Goa
Agonda Beach
A long, quiet South Goa beach favoured for its calm, clean sands, turtle nesting, yoga retreats and a quieter alternative to the north. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach
A tranquil stretch near Diu featuring clear waters and soft sand. It is a hub for water sports like jet-skiing, speed boating, and parasailing.
Maharashtra
Aksa Beach
Located in the western suburbs of Malad in Mumbai, Aksa Beach sits along the city's northern coast overlooking the Arabian Sea, roughly 30 km from South Mumbai. Aksa is one of the cleanest and most visually scenic beaches within Mumbai city limits. Fringed by coconut palms and INS Hamla defence grounds, it preserves an open, breezy landscape compared to urban beaches.
Kerala
Alappuzha Beach
Famous for: Historic pier, Lighthouse, Sunset. Nearby: Alleppey Backwaters, Houseboats.
Maharashtra
Alibaug Beaches
Located right in the heart of Alibaug town, this historic beach sits just 95 km from Mumbai by road, or a quick 45-minute ferry ride from Gateway of India to Mandwa jetty. Alibaug Beach is famous for its dark magnetic sand and its direct views of the offshore Kolaba Fort. During low tide, the ocean waters recede completely, allowing visitors to walk or take horse-carts across the wet sea bed to the fort.
Kerala
Andhakaranazhi Beach
Known for: Bridge, fishing harbour and peaceful sunsets.
Maharashtra
Anjarle Beach
Situated near Dapoli in Ratnagiri district, Anjarle is located about 230 km south of Mumbai near the estuary of the Jog River. Anjarle is a pristine white-sand beach backed by thick palms and casuarina trees. It is famous for the hilltop Kadiyavancha Ganpati Temple located nearby, which offers an unbelievable panoramic aerial view of the beach curve and river estuary.
Goa
Anjuna Beach
A North Goa icon of the hippie era, Anjuna is famous for its rocky-edged golden sands, the legendary Wednesday flea market, trance parties and cliffside cafes. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Goa
Arambol Beach
The northernmost backpacker hub of Goa, Arambol is loved for its bohemian community, drum circles, paragliding, a sweet-water lagoon and live-music cafes. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Azhikode Beach
Known for: Beautiful estuary.
Lakshadweep
Bangaram Island
A teardrop-shaped, uninhabited resort island in Lakshadweep, Bangaram is famed for crystal lagoons, untouched white sand and exceptional diving and snorkelling. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Bekal Beach
Set beside the massive seafront Bekal Fort in north Kerala, this beach pairs dramatic history with quiet sands and is famous from the song 'Tu Hi Re'. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Beypore Beach
Famous for traditional Uru shipbuilding.
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Gujarat
Beyt Dwarka Beach
Situated on Beyt Dwarka island, accessible via boat or the Sudarshan Setu bridge. It features shallow coral reefs, white sand, and marine life.
Goa
Butterfly Beach
A secluded crescent cove in South Goa reachable by boat or a forest trail, named for the butterflies that gather here and known for dolphin sightings. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Goa
Caranzalem
Three and a half kilometres of white sand on the west side of Panjim, about 5 km from the centre of town by way of Miramar. The water is clear and the beach is reckoned safe for swimming, which is not true of every stretch in Goa. The Miramar-Dona Paula road runs parallel to it the whole way, so getting on and off is easy, and there are shacks, hotels and restaurants serving Goan food, plus water sports if you want them. This is a city beach rather than a remote one: convenient, backed by a neighbourhood, and best taken as a walk rather than a day's escape.
Odisha
Chandipur
The tide does the work here. At low tide the sea withdraws as much as 5 kilometres, so the ground you walk on in the morning can be under water later; check the tide before you plan the day, because arriving at high water means an ordinary shoreline. That exposed flat supports a great deal of life. Horseshoe crabs turn up on the stretch towards Mirzapur, and the fishing market and its community sit at the Budhabalanga confluence at Balaramgadi. Balasore railway station is about 16 km away.
Odisha
Chandrabhaga Beach (Konark)
A clean Blue-Flag beach beside the Konark Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga is known for sunrises, the annual sand-art festival and its religious significance. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Chavakkad Beach
Near Guruvayur Temple.
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Kerala
Cherai Beach
On Vypin Island near Kochi, Cherai is a long golden beach where the sea meets backwaters, known for dolphin sightings, calm swimming and seafood. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Odisha
Chilika & Rambha Coast
Where Asia's largest brackish lagoon, Chilika, meets the sea, this coast is famed for Irrawaddy dolphins, vast migratory birdlife and empty island beaches. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Chorwad Beach
A rocky coastal retreat that once served as the summer residence of the Nawab of Junagadh, featuring the historic Darya Mahal palace.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Corbyn's Cove (Port Blair)
The closest beach to Port Blair, Corbyn's Cove is a coconut-palm-fringed crescent popular for a quick swim, water sports and easy island access. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Tamil Nadu
Covelong (Kovalam) Beach
A former fishing village turned surf town on the East Coast Road near Chennai, Covelong is South India's surfing hub with a laid-back beach-resort scene. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Dandi Beach
A historic black-sand beach where Mahatma Gandhi concluded the famous 1930 Salt March, complete with a national memorial museum.
Maharashtra
Devbagh & Tarkarli Sangam
Near Malvan, the Devbagh sandbar where the Karli River meets the sea has scuba diving, dolphin trips and the clearest water on the Konkan. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Tamil Nadu
Dhanushkodi (Rameswaram)
At India's southeastern tip, Dhanushkodi is a hauntingly beautiful ghost-town beach on a thin sandbar where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean, near sacred Rameswaram. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Dharmadam Beach
Highlights: Small island visible from shore.
West Bengal
Digha
Digha sits at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal in Purba Medinipur, and it is the beach most of Bengal has already been to: the state's most visited sea resort, with sand running over 7 km. The gradient is very low and the water shallow, which is why families with small children come here and why serious swimmers do not. Warren Hastings called it the Brighton of the East in a letter to his wife in 1780, so take that as a measure of how long the habit has lasted rather than of what you will find. Go on a weekday if you want any of the sand to yourself.
Maharashtra
Diveagar Beach
Located in Raigad district, Diveagar is a serene coastal village approximately 170 km from Mumbai and 160 km from Pune. The beach stretches over 5 kilometres along an uncrowded coastal belt. Diveagar is distinguished by its remarkably flat, hard-packed shoreline lined with betel nut orchards and coconut palm farms. It is famous for its peaceful village vibe, abundant migratory seagull flocks in winter, and the local Suvarna Ganesh temple.
Gujarat
Dumas Beach
Famous for dark black sand, local legends, and street food stalls serving Surati snacks like bhajiya and sweet corn.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Elephant Beach (Havelock)
Reached by boat or a jungle trail on Swaraj Dweep, Elephant Beach is the Andamans' top spot for snorkelling, scuba diving and shallow-water coral. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Fort Kochi Beach
Highlights: Chinese Fishing Nets, Colonial heritage, Street food, Art cafés.
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Goa
Galgibaga (Turtle) Beach
One of South Goa's quietest beaches, Galgibaga is a protected olive ridley turtle nesting site with casuarina-lined sands and almost no development. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Maharashtra
Ganpatipule Beach
Located along the Konkan coast in Ratnagiri district, Ganpatipule is situated about 330 km south of Mumbai and 25 km from Ratnagiri city. The beach is nestled at the foot of lush green hills, creating a scenic curve along the sea. The defining unique feature of this beach is the 400-year-old Swayambhu (self-manifested) Ganpati Temple situated directly on the white sand shore. Uniquely, the temple deity faces west toward the ocean, making it a sacred site where pilgrims traditional take a dip in the sea before offering prayers.
Daman & Diu
Ghoghla Beach
A clean, quiet Blue Flag beach on the Gujarat border offering gentle waves, golden sand, and parasailing.
Goa
Goa
Goa, India's smallest state on the western Konkan coast, pairs golden Arabian Sea beaches with a relaxed Indo-Portuguese culture. From the lively sands and nightlife of the north to the quieter palm-fringed south, plus whitewashed churches, spice plantations, fresh seafood and easygoing susegad charm, it remains India's favourite beach getaway.
Karnataka
Gokarna
Gokarna is a coastal town in the Uttara Kannada district of northern Karnataka, and it has been two things at once for decades now. It is an ancient pilgrimage town built around the Mahabaleshwar Temple, and it is a backpacker hub. The green rocky hills of the Western Ghats come down to the Arabian Sea here and stop at the sand. The landscape splits the town in half. The old core holds brick temples and traditional Sanskrit learning centres; a short walk over the cliffs brings you to five crescent bays in a row — Kudle, Om, Half Moon, Paradise and Gokarna Beach — with bamboo yoga shacks, independent seafood cafes and quiet camping grounds on them.
Odisha
Gopalpur-on-Sea
A coastal town on the Bay of Bengal in Ganjam district, about 15 km from Berhampur and near the southern end of the state. Gopalpur was an ancient seaside resort, and that is the version of it people still arrive expecting; it is now more associated with its port, which makes for a different sort of afternoon. Worth an evening if you are already in Berhampur. Not worth a long detour unless the sea is the reason you came to Odisha.
Maharashtra
Guhagar Beach
Tucked between the Vashishti River and Jaigad Creek in Ratnagiri district, Guhagar is a broad coastal town situated about 290 km south of Mumbai. Guhagar boasts one of the longest, cleanest, and most unbroken white-sand stretches in Maharashtra, extending over 6 kilometres. The shoreline is backed by thick mango orchards, coconut plantations, and historic Konkani ancestral homes.
Maharashtra
Harihareshwar Beach
Positioned in the southern corner of Raigad district, Harihareshwar lies about 200 km south of Mumbai. The beach is surrounded by four sacred hills—Harihareshwar, Harshinagiri, Bramhagiri, and Kalagiri—where the Savitri River flows into the sea. Often called 'Dakshin Kashi', the beach features dramatic geological rock structures carved out by ocean tides over centuries. A natural rock-cut cliff path allows visitors to perform a scenic coastal walk behind the ancient Lord Shiva temple.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Havelock Island, officially Swaraj Dweep, is the most popular island in the Andamans. Radhanagar Beach is the reason most people come — powdery white sand, and the sunsets it is known for — and there is serious scuba diving off the island as well. Turquoise water, coral reefs, kayaking through the mangroves and unhurried beach shacks fill out the rest of it. Elephant Beach is where the diving and snorkelling are done. Honeymooners, divers and backpackers all come for it.
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Daman & Diu
Jampore Beach
Blackish-brown sand rather than the gold most people picture is part of why this beach stays quiet: relatively secluded, about 4 km from Moti Daman, with calm water that makes wading easy. There is not a great deal to do here beyond walk and swim, so time it for the late afternoon, because the sunset over the Arabian Sea is what people actually come for. A good evening, and a thin whole day.
Tamil Nadu
Kanyakumari Beach
At the southernmost tip of mainland India, Kanyakumari is famous for sunrises and sunsets over three converging seas, the Vivekananda Rock and the Thiruvalluvar statue. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Kappad Beach
The historic beach near Kozhikode where Vasco da Gama first landed in India in 1498, today a quiet rocky-and-sandy shore with a commemorative monument. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Kappil Beach
Unique because backwaters meet the Arabian Sea.
Puducherry
Karaikal Beach
Two kilometres of sand where the Arasalar river forms an estuary before the Bay of Bengal, and that estuary is the best part of it. The rest has been worked on: fountains, children's parks, restaurants and tennis courts, a widened approach road along the river, sodium vapour lamps for the evenings. All of that is why it draws a heavy crowd every day of the week. If you want the beach rather than the beach as a fairground, come early and walk towards the river mouth.
Maharashtra
Kashid Beach
Nestled between two coastal hillocks in the Raigad district, Kashid is situated 125 km south of Mumbai and 30 km from Alibaug. It spans a crescent-shaped 3-kilometre bay along the North Konkan coast. Kashid stands out for its powdery white sand, a rare feature among northern Maharashtra's darker-sand beaches. The shoreline is fringed by swaying Casuarina groves and backed by the green slopes of the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Karnataka
Kaup (Kapu) Beach
Near Udupi, Kaup is famed for its 1901 lighthouse standing on black rocks, dramatic sunsets and a clean, lively stretch of golden sand. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Lakshadweep
Kavaratti Island
The capital of Lakshadweep, Kavaratti is known for calm lagoons, water sports, an aquarium and some of the archipelago's most accessible coral gardens. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Maharashtra
Kelshi Beach
Positioned near Dapoli in Ratnagiri district, Kelshi Beach sits about 220 km from Mumbai near the mouth of the Bharja River. Kelshi is a secluded 3-kilometre stretch backed by high naturally formed sand dunes and dense groves of Suru (Casuarina) trees. Geologically, it is famous for holding preserved fossilized seashell deposits nearby.
Maharashtra
Kihim Beach
Situated just 12 km north of Alibaug town, Kihim is easily accessible via the ferry route from Mumbai to Mandwa. Kihim is known for its lush surrounding vegetation, coconut groves, and exotic bird and butterfly species. The beach features a unique blend of fine sand interspersed with unusual black rock formations at low tide.
Kerala
Kovalam Beach
Kerala's most famous beach resort, Kovalam is known for its crescent Lighthouse Beach, ayurvedic spas, seafood shacks and gentle swimming bays near Trivandrum. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
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Maharashtra
Kunkeshwar Beach
Located in Devgad taluka of Sindhudurg district, Kunkeshwar Beach sits along a peaceful stretch of the southern Konkan coast, about 480 km from Mumbai. The beach is dominated by the Kunkeshwar Temple—a grand 11th-century stone Shiva temple built right on the golden sand shore, often dubbed the 'Kashi of South Konkan'.
Maharashtra
Ladghar Beach
Located near Dapoli town in Ratnagiri district, Ladghar Beach sits about 230 km south of Mumbai. Affectionately known as 'Tamasi Beach', Ladghar is famous for its unique dark red coarse sand and smooth pebbles that give the shoreline a distinct reddish tint under setting sunlight.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Long Island (Andaman)
A remote, road-free island reached by ferry, Long Island has Lalaji Bay, jungle trails and no cars on it at all. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Madhavpur Beach
A postcard-worthy coast lined with coconut trees and clear blue waters. The drive along NH-8E running parallel to this beach is considered one of Gujarat's most scenic roads.
Gujarat
Mandvi Beach (Kutch)
Famous for golden sands, windmills along the shore, and the nearby Vijay Vilas Palace. Visitors enjoy camel rides, water sports, and sunset views.
Kerala
Marari Beach
A fishing-village beach near Alleppey, Marari is prized for its palm-fringed calm, eco-resorts, ayurveda and an authentic slice of coastal Kerala life. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Karnataka
Maravanthe Beach
A rare beach where the highway runs with the Arabian Sea on one side and the Souparnika River on the other, with one of India's most scenic coastal drives. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Tamil Nadu
Marina Beach (Chennai)
One of the world's longest urban beaches, Chennai's Marina is a vast city shoreline of promenades, statues, sunrise crowds and street food along the Bay of Bengal. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Meenkunnu Beach
Known for being less crowded.
Lakshadweep
Minicoy Island
The southernmost and most culturally distinct island of Lakshadweep, Minicoy is famed for its tall lighthouse, crescent lagoon and unique Maldivian-influenced culture. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Miyani Beach
A rugged, scenic beach near Miyani village featuring rocky shores, clear water, and a tranquil atmosphere.
Goa
Morjim Beach
Known as 'Little Russia', Morjim in North Goa is a calm, turtle-nesting beach popular for kitesurfing, birdwatching at the Chapora river mouth and laid-back beach shacks. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Maharashtra
Murud Beach
Situated near Dapoli in the Raigad/Ratnagiri region, Murud Beach sits approximately 140 km south of Mumbai, overlooking the open sea. Murud's standout highlight is its unobstructed view of the invincible 15th-century Murud-Janjira sea fort rising dramatically out of the ocean waters just offshore. The beach itself features soft, shimmering sand and calm wave action.
Karnataka
Murudeshwar Beach
Backed by a towering statue of Lord Shiva and a sea-facing temple, Murudeshwar blends a pilgrimage town with scuba diving trips to nearby Netrani Island. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach
India's longest drive-in beach near Kannur, Muzhappilangad lets you drive along 4 km of firm golden sand, with calm swimming bays and paragliding. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Maharashtra
Nagaon Beach
Located 9 km south of Alibaug town in Raigad district, Nagaon Beach sits along a flat, palm-lined coastal plain roughly 100 km from Mumbai. Nagaon is a flat, horseshoe-shaped beach with a hard sand seabed that extends far into the sea. Because the water remains shallow for hundreds of metres out, it is extraordinarily safe for swimming and is the primary water sports hub of the area.
Daman & Diu
Nagoa Beach (Diu)
A famous horseshoe-shaped beach lined with rare Hoka palm trees, offering calm, safe swimming waters.
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Gujarat
Narara Marine National Park Beach
A unique coastal area where low tide allows visitors to walk shallow waters and observe living corals, sea anemones, and crabs up close.
Kerala
Neendakara Beach
Highlights: Fishing harbour and estuary views.
Goa
North Goa (Baga & Calangute)
Baga and Calangute are the commercial heart of North Goa, a continuous stretch of golden sand on the Arabian Sea and the busiest coast in the state. The day is given over to water sports; after dark the same strip becomes the centre of Goa's nightlife. Food shacks, water sports operators and international music bars run almost without a break along the shore. Calangute is the shopping and family end of it, while the clubs and beach parties start around Baga creek and go late.
Gujarat
Okha Madhi Beach
An untouched, quiet beach located between Jamnagar and Dwarka, offering wide stretches of golden sand and clear water.
Karnataka
Om Beach (Gokarna)
Shaped like the sacred 'Om' symbol, this Gokarna beach links twin crescents and is famous for cliff-trekking between bays, water sports and a relaxed backpacker vibe. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Puducherry
Paradise Beach (Pondicherry)
Reached by a short backwater boat ride from Chunnambar near Pondicherry, Paradise Beach is a clean golden sandbar between lagoon and sea, popular for day trips. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
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Maharashtra
Paradise Beach (Shiroda)
Located at the southernmost tip of Maharashtra in Sindhudurg district, Paradise Beach (Shiroda) sits right on the border of Maharashtra and Goa. True to its name, this beach features broad stretches of silver-white sand, turquoise waters, and lush cypress groves with almost no commercial development.
Kerala
Payyambalam Beach
Known for: Landscaped gardens, Clean beach, Family outings.
Gujarat
Pingleshwar Beach
A peaceful beach near Kori Creek featuring an ancient Shiv temple, sand dunes, and frequent visits from migratory birds.
Gujarat
Positra Beach
A hidden gem in the Marine National Park area, surrounded by rich biodiversity and calm marine waters.
Puducherry
Promenade Beach
Rock Beach, as it is also called, is 1.2 kilometres of seafront along Goubert Avenue, running from the War Memorial at one end to Dupleix Park at the other. It is the most popular stretch of beachfront in Puducherry, and that is worth planning around: walk it early, because the same promenade that is nearly yours at first light belongs to the whole city by evening. Take it for what it is, a place to sit and look at the Bay of Bengal, and do not expect it to fill a day.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Radhanagar Beach (Havelock)
Regularly rated among Asia's best beaches, Radhanagar on Swaraj Dweep is a flawless arc of white sand, turquoise water and west-facing sunsets. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andhra Pradesh
Rishikonda Beach (Vizag)
A golden crescent near Visakhapatnam backed by green hills, Rishikonda is Andhra's water-sports beach with surfing, jet-skiing and clean sands. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Sarkheshwar Beach
An offbeat, serene beach known for white sand and gentle tides, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
Kerala
Shankumugham Beach
Highlights: Giant Mermaid sculpture, Close to airport.
Gujarat
Shivrajpur Beach
A pristine Blue Flag-certified beach known for turquoise waters and fine white sand. It is ideal for swimming, scuba diving, and water sports.
Maharashtra
Shrivardhan Beach
Shrivardhan is a historic town in Raigad district, roughly 185 km south of Mumbai. The beach is a sprawling, gently sloping stretch of black-and-gold sand, backed by a modern paved sea promenade with well-lit pathways. The town's own history runs back to the Peshwas.
Gujarat
Somnath Beach
Located right next to the historic Somnath Temple. While swimming is restricted due to strong currents, it offers dramatic crashing waves and a spiritual sunset setting.
Goa
South Goa (Palolem)
Palolem is a crescent bay in the Canacona region of South Goa — calm water, rocky headlands at either end, and a dense fringe of coconut palms leaning out over the sand. It is the quiet alternative to the commercial beaches of the north. The shape of the bay keeps the currents to almost nothing. The wooden stilt cottages and beach shacks along the shore are temporary: every one of them comes down before the monsoon, which is why the place still feels like a village.
Karnataka
St. Mary's Islands (Udupi)
A cluster of islands off Malpe near Udupi, famed for unique hexagonal basalt rock columns, white-shell sands and clear water reached by a short boat ride. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Suvali Beach
A secluded black-sand beach located away from city crowds, perfect for peaceful strolls and photography.
West Bengal
Tajpur
Tajpur is the quiet gap between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, about 173 km from Kolkata by NH16 and NH116B, in the Contai subdivision of Purba Medinipur. It came late to tourism and still has far fewer hotels than Digha, which is the whole reason to come: the sand is clean and covered in red crabs that scatter as you walk. Behind the beach sit roughly 1,400 acres of pisciculture, the bheris that were the local economy long before visitors were. A port has been agreed here by the state and central governments, so see it as it is now.
Odisha
Talasari Beach
A beach on the north-eastern coast, in Baleswar district. The name is two Odia words, tala for palm and sari for row, after the palms standing behind the sand; tala also means rhythm, which the waves supply. The Subarnarekha river reaches the sea here, and it is the sand dunes and the red crabs that people tend to remember. Bichitrapur, nearby, has fishing hamlets and mangroves. Treat the two as one outing rather than making the beach the whole trip.
Maharashtra
Tarkarli (Malvan)
Tarkarli is in the Malvan region of Sindhudurg district near the Goa border, roughly 500 km south of Mumbai. The beach lies right where the Karli River backwaters meet the open Arabian Sea, with dense betel nut and coconut palm plantations behind it. The water here is the clearest in Maharashtra — on a calm day you can see 20 feet down — which is why the state's scuba diving and snorkelling is centred on this stretch. There are coral reefs and plenty of marine life on them, and MTDC runs luxury houseboats on the backwaters.
Kerala
Thottada Beach
Perfect for: Honeymoon, Quiet holidays.
Gujarat
Tithal Beach
Famous for its unique black sand and vibrant promenade. It sits close to the Swaminarayan and Sai Baba temples, making it a popular spot for evening walks.
Tamil Nadu
Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)
A former Danish colonial town on the Tamil coast, Tharangambadi pairs a quiet beach with the seafront Dansborg Fort and atmospheric colonial streets. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Gujarat
Ubharat Beach
A popular weekend destination surrounded by palm groves, offering open sea views and local food vendors.
Goa
Vagator Beach
Split into Big and Little Vagator by red laterite cliffs, this North Goa beach is known for dramatic sunsets, the Chapora fort backdrop and a buzzing music scene. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Kerala
Varkala Beach
Varkala, in the Thiruvananthapuram district of southern Kerala, does not look like anywhere else on the Indian coast. Most of that coast is flat and sandy; here, near-vertical red laterite cliffs rise straight out of the breaking waves of the Arabian Sea. The paved path along the North Cliff is where everything happens — open-air cafes, seafood grills, yoga centres and handicraft shops. Below it the shore opens into wide sandy bays for swimming, surfing and lying about, and natural mineral springs run down the laterite walls.
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Maharashtra
Velas Beach
Located at the northern tip of Ratnagiri district near Mandangad, Velas is a secluded coastal village roughly 220 km from Mumbai. It features a dark-sand bay enclosed by hills and river estuaries. Velas is world-famous for its annual Turtle Festival (February to April), where thousands of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings emerge from protected beach nests and march into the Arabian Sea. The village is a pioneer in community-based eco-tourism.
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Maharashtra
Velneshwar Beach
Tucked away near Guhagar in Ratnagiri district, Velneshwar Beach is located around 300 km south of Mumbai. Velneshwar features a calm, crescent-shaped bay sheltered from harsh currents, making its rock-free waters remarkably safe for swimming.
Maharashtra
Vengurla Beach
Situated in far southern Sindhudurg near the Goa border, Vengurla lies roughly 510 km south of Mumbai and 50 km north of Panaji. Vengurla Beach is encircled by green hills, cashew nut orchards, and a historic 19th-century lighthouse on a cliff overlooking the coast and the offshore Burnt Islands (Vengurla Rocks).
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Vijaynagar Beach (Neil)
On laid-back Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), Vijaynagar is a calm, shallow beach lined with mahua trees, shallow a long way out, and an easy cycle at sunrise. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
Andhra Pradesh
Yarada Beach (Vizag)
Tucked between hills south of Visakhapatnam, Yarada is a secluded, clean golden beach with an end-of-the-road feel and panoramic hilltop views. The best months to visit are roughly November to February, when seas are calm and skies are clear; the monsoon (June to September) brings rough water and many beach shacks shut. Plan water sports and swimming for the dry winter window.
