Sweltering sun rays, sparkling sand and blissful water is all about a beach!!
Priyanka Wadhwani
India is a country of diverse geographical situations, extending from a scorching heat in the West to a plushy mud carpet of heavy rains in the East. From frosty winters in the North to unrelenting humidity in the South.
India is also gifted with some of the best beaches in the world. Embracing around 215 incredibly scenic beaches spread across the coastal lines of southern India, Indian beaches are worth spending a few relaxing hours.
Out of the number of beaches that India has, here’s a list of few gorgeous ones for you to start with.
Candolim Beach, Goa
Popularly known as Honeymooners Paradise in India, it offers everything from water sports to fishing, yoga and meditation to massage parlours, colourful bazaar to luscious sea food.
A church, a lighthouse and large scrub - covered dunes in between the sea water and shore has been a major part of attraction here. Mark it as must go to witness the presence of Aguada Fort, the Dil Chahta hai Fame.
Puri Beach, Orissa
Having a pleasant weather throughout the year, this beach has become a major attraction for both Indian and foreign beach lovers.
Located at a distance of 35 kms from the Sun Temple and 65 kms from Bhubaneshwar, the beach at Puri offers a unique opportunity to witness the beautiful sunrise and the sunset at the same place.
It continues to be a sacred venue for a number of pilgrims who visit this place to pay a homage to Lord Jagannath. Do visit this beautiful palm-fringed beach when in India.
Elephanta Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Besides being beautiful and giving you a delightful experience, this beach is popularly known for its water sports activities such as snorkeling, sun basking, sea bathing, beach walking, etc.
It is a quite famous picnic spot as well and gives you a great opportunity to spend time with your family in a peaceful environment.
It looks its best during spring time when nature is in full bloom and snorkeling becomes even more enjoyable. Mark your calendars for spring to have a pleasant experience of watching the colorful corals under the sea water.
Dhanushkodi Beach, Tamil Nadu
Located 20 km away from Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi beach gives a visual treat to the tourists with incredibly beautiful view and turquoise blue sea water.
There is not much to see at this beach other than the sea and the clear water. The beach is bordered by the Bay of Bengal from one side and the Indian Ocean from the other.
Links from the Mythology say that it is the same place where Lord Rama along with Lord Hanuman and his army built the famous ‘Setu’ bridge to reach Lanka. Make sure to visit this beach between October and April.
Marari Beach, Kerala
Kerala is proudly called as God’s own country and Marari at Kerala is a perfect destination to enjoy Kerala backwaters and witness the serenity of the beach.
Kerala receives rain almost throughout the year, making places like Marari filled with rich vegetation.
Located at a short distance from Alleppey and around 60 kms from Kochi, Marari Beach offers a calm and scenic atmosphere to tourists to relax and unwind. September- March is the best time to visit this wonderful place.
Ramakrishnan Beach, Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is popularly known as Vizag these days. Ramakrishnan Beach also known as the RK beach, one of the most popular spot of Vizag. The best part is, it lies at a distance of just 5 km from the main city.
This beach is blessed with uninterrupted sea lines, soft golden sand and a number of beach shacks to make it a place worth visiting.
Apart from all the natural beauty that it has, RK beach has a lot more to offer to you. Water sports and activities such as Sea Bathing, Sun Basking, Beach Walking, etc are major attractions here. This beach should be on your must-go places.
Ganpatipule Beach, Maharashtra
This exotic and unspoiled beach is spread across the coastal areas of Konkan, and attracts a huge number of peace-seekers, beach-lovers and pilgrims every day.
Another charming spot at this place is the Swayambhu (self orginated) Ganesh temple. With abundant flora including mangroves and coconut palms, this becomes a must-visit beach when in Maharashtra.
Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Kannur, Kerala
India is blessed to have Asia’s only drive-in beach, that’s Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach. It offers a smooth drive of 4 km between Thalassery and Kunnur, which is parallel to National Highway NH-17.
If you are an action fan, you must visit this beach in the month of April, when locals organize a festival to attract travelers and young enthusiasts to perform car stunts, bike stunts such as drifting and wheeling on the beach.
The beach’s tranquility and picturesque sea view attracts tourists. People come here to take a swim, take sun bath or to simply walk around the beach.
Paradise Beach, Pondicherry
Pondicherry was a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, so is now popularly called as France of India. It is famous for its breathtaking sea views and serene beach fronts. Paradise beach is one of its major attraction for back water boating.
The beach has utterly gorgeous views with some interesting water sports to try. The beach has shower rooms and changing rooms for those who want to swim.
A major attraction here is the beach volleyball, you’ll find a number of tourists here having fun with the ball, cruising, dolphin spotting and much more. Visit this finest of beaches with your family and friends.
Juhu Beach, Mumbai
Although not very clean and picturesque in view but Juhu beach of Mumbai has its own charm. With endless number of food stalls at the beach serving a variety of food cuisines, it can be said as a heavenly place for food lovers.
With a number of instant photographers standing at the beach to capture your memories and a number of pigeons that fly above, you can have a lovely time with your family members at the Juhu beach.
Make sure you take all the necessary precautions while at the beach. Follow all the safety instructions mentioned.