Konkan & Malabar Coast
Beaches
The west coast either side of Goa — Maharashtra's forts on the sand, Karnataka's rocks, Kerala's backwater mouths.
70 places
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.
Kerala
Azhikode Beach
Known for: Beautiful estuary.
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.
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.
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.
Kerala
Dharmadam Beach
Highlights: Small island visible from shore.
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.
Kerala
Fort Kochi Beach
Highlights: Chinese Fishing Nets, Colonial heritage, Street food, Art cafés.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kerala
Meenkunnu Beach
Known for being less crowded.
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.
Kerala
Neendakara Beach
Highlights: Fishing harbour and estuary views.
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.
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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.
Kerala
Shankumugham Beach
Highlights: Giant Mermaid sculpture, Close to airport.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Bekal Beach
Bekal Fort
A huge keyhole-shaped laterite fort jutting into the Arabian Sea.
Varkala Beach
North Cliff Ledge
The paved path along the cliff top, cafes on one side and a long drop on the other. Sections have been fenced off after collapses and the fencing moves — take it seriously. Steps down to the beach at either end.
Kovalam Beach
Lighthouse Beach
The main crescent beach crowned by a red-and-white lighthouse.
Murudeshwar Beach
Shiva Statue & Temple
One of the world's tallest Shiva statues beside a sea-facing temple.
Ganpatipule Beach
Ganpatipule Ganesh Temple
A swayambhu Ganesh temple right beside the beach.
Cherai Beach
Backwater Edge
Where the beach borders Kerala's backwaters on Vypin Island.
Varkala Beach
Papanasam Beach
The golden sand stretch below the cliffs, popular for swimming, surfing, and historic ritual sunset cleansing baths.
Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach
Drive-In Stretch
The 4 km firm-sand stretch open to cars and bikes.
Kappad Beach
Vasco da Gama Monument
A pillar marking the 1498 landing of the Portuguese explorer.
St. Mary's Islands (Udupi)
Hexagonal Basalt Columns
Geologically rare columnar basalt formations on the islands.
Tarkarli (Malvan)
Karli River Estuary
The scenic junction where the Karli river loops into the sea, popular for luxury houseboats and dolphin tracking tours.
Devbagh & Tarkarli Sangam
Karli River Sangam
The confluence sandbar where river and sea meet.
Maravanthe Beach
NH-66 Coastal Drive
The famous stretch flanked by sea and river simultaneously.
Gokarna
Mahabaleshwar Temple
The historic 4th-century Dravidian granite temple complex housing the sacred Atmalinga stone relic, managed by traditional scholars.
Alibaug Beaches
Kolaba Fort
A coastal fort reachable on foot at low tide off Alibaug beach.
Marari Beach
Marari Fishing Village
A traditional Kerala fishing hamlet beside the beach.
Varkala Beach
Kappil Lake Estuary
A scenic coastal spot 6 km north where a quiet backwater lake meets the sea, split beautifully by a beach highway.
Om Beach (Gokarna)
Gokarna Beach Trek
A cliff trail connecting Om, Half Moon and Paradise beaches.
Gokarna
Om Beach
The famous natural golden sand beach shaped exactly like the sacred spiritual symbol Om, popular for water sports and independent cafes.
Gokarna
Kudle Beach
A wide, expansive sandy bay located just a short walk over the ridge from the town, famous for yoga retreats and sunset dining.
Tarkarli (Malvan)
Sindhudurg Fort
A colossal 17th-century island maritime fortress featuring massive stone walls built directly on a sea reef outcrop, accessible via ferry.
Murudeshwar Beach
Netrani Island Diving
Boat dives to the coral-rich waters off Netrani (Pigeon) Island.
Kaup (Kapu) Beach
Kaup Lighthouse
A century-old lighthouse with sunset views over the coast.
