Unspoiled Beaches
Hidden Gems
Coast without the shacks — usually because the road in is bad.
37 places
Agatti Island
Agatti Lagoon
A shallow turquoise lagoon for snorkelling and kayaking.
Nubra Valley
Hunder Sand Dunes
The unique cold desert stretch where visitors can trek across white sand ridges on double-humped Bactrian camels.
Long Island (Andaman)
Lalaji Bay Beach
A secluded white-sand bay reached by boat or jungle trek.
Galgibaga (Turtle) Beach
Olive Ridley Nesting Beach
A conservation beach where turtles nest each winter.
Jaisalmer
Sam Sand Dunes
The expansive rolling sand dunes located 40 km outside the city, famous for evening camel safaris, jeep dune bashing, and cultural camps.
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Kavaratti Island
Kavaratti Lagoon
A sheltered lagoon for kayaking, glass-bottom boats and snorkelling.
Om Beach (Gokarna)
Gokarna Beach Trek
A cliff trail connecting Om, Half Moon and Paradise beaches.
Bangaram Island
Bangaram Lagoon
A shallow lagoon inside the reef, calm enough to snorkel straight off the beach. Diving is run through the single resort on the island.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 kilometers 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.
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.
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 kilometers. The shoreline is backed by thick mango orchards, coconut plantations, and historic Konkani ancestral homes.
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.
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-kilometer 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gujarat
Sarkheshwar Beach
An offbeat, serene beach known for white sand and gentle tides, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
Gujarat
Suvali Beach
A secluded black-sand beach located away from city crowds, perfect for peaceful strolls and photography.
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.
