When you think of popular beaches in India,
immediately Goa comes to your mind. When it comes to the west coast of India,
or for that matter, India itself, the first beach destination most people or
tourists think of is Goa! Though very well-developed and extremely popular, Goa
is not the only beach destination along the Arabian Sea. Here, we present a few
amazing beaches you need to plan a visit, which are as good as, if not better
than Goa. And some tourists have already discovered the beauty of some of these beaches,
especially Gokarn and other beachs in Kerala. It has already started attacting
local and foreign tourists who have heard or read about them in different
states on the west coast of India.
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No doubt Goa is famous for its popular beaches -
Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Colvabeach, Candolim, Arambol, Anjuna
Beach, Palolem, Vagator beach and many more. When you think of Goa, you think
of sandy beaches, amazing parties, beautiful little villages, delicious food,
and a magical holiday experience. Yes, Goa is rightfully known as the most
popular tourist destination on the west coast of India, and not just because of
its scenic beaches, but also because of its tropical climate and its rich
Portuguese heritage, which you can still find lingering on in some parts of the
town. Nestled in the Konkan coastal belt, Goa has a coastline stretching for
over a 100 kilometres, and attracts millions of visitors both from within and
outside the country all year round. Best time to visit Goa is: October to
March.
But apart from Goa there are many more beautiful
beaches on the west coast of India, right from Gujarat coast down to Maharastra,
Karnataka up to Kerala coast. Some are stretches of clean virgin beaches yet to be fully developed and
explored. Listed below are some of the beautiful beaches which many people are
not aware but would love to spend the holidays there.
Gujarat:
Somnath
Beach
Many people know about Somanath, but not th other
attractions. Somnath is famous for its Jyotirlinga temple and is located on the
western coast of Gujarat. The beach is very pleasant and beautiful. The water
here is stormy but clear and the whole beach is devoid of shade. Nonetheless,
you will always find it pleasant here, owing to the breezy air. At low tides,
there are some natural Shiva lingas that can be spotted amidst the waves. Sit
back and enjoy a different moods of the sea! Head to the famed Somnath Mandir
and enjoy the sights of the waves hitting this gorgeous temple.
Dwarka Beach
Near Dwarka in Gujarat is Dwarka beach.Though a
pilgrimage center, Dwarka offers a beautiful, scenic beach for its travellers.
The water here is generally quite calm and the beach is frequented by beautiful
white birds! The beach is highly popular not only for its beauty but also for
the Jagat Mandir or Dwarkadheesh temple that is located closely. This beach
gains major popularity among tourists due to its mesmerizing marine life. It is
extremely usual to spot octopus, urchins, sea turtles, jelly fishes and
dolphins on your tour around the beach. Apart from these, you can indulge in an
adventurous fun time by enjoying activities such as scuba diving and swimming
at Dwarka beach.
Visitors can tour around the beach and visit
temples such as Dwarkadhish temple, Rukmini temple and others. Head to the
little island here, full of coral reefs. Try some dolphin spotting here. It’s
also known for water sports, relaxation, scenic beauty and tourist spots.
Ghogla Beach
– Golden Sand Beach
This is popularly referred to as Golden sand beach
on th Arabian sea. If you talk about beauty, this is one of the most attractive
beaches. Located in the north of Diu town, it easily manages to catch the
attention of many people. It specially caters to the crowd who prefers to stay
aloof from the bustling crowd. The beach is a complete package with eatery
places located nearby for the convenience of the tourists. In addition to
these, water sports too make way for an exciting attraction in Ghogla Beach.
Porbandar
Beach
The beach, also known as Willingdon Marina Beach is
a popular beach in Gujarat. Nestled between Veraval and Dwarka, this is an
ideal place to relax and watch the waves swing by. This beach is also one of
the most favourite spots in the morning and evening among the locals. While
visiting the place, do not forget to visit Huzur Palace, which is one of the
most eminent tourist sports located on Porbandar beach. The ancient seawall
majestically remains one of the most impressive backdrops for the beach. Visit
Sudama, Lord Krishna’s best friend’s childhood place.
Kutch –
Mandvi
Mandvi beach is situated in the Kutch district and
is also a widely popular beach among tourists. This beach comprises of
beautiful golden yellow sand which presents a striking colour and looks
wonderful in contrast to the emerald waters that lash out at the shores. Earlier a ship-building hub, it is
now a well developed tourist place with lots of beach activities and spa
facilities. Enjoy a relaxed picnic here, while watching the windmills and
sipping a cup of tea. Apart from experiencing its beauty, you can also indulge
in a wide range of water sports such as speed boating, surfing, skiing, water
scooting, parasailing and paragliding. This ample water sports opportunity is
the perfect way to spend some quality time with your partner or close friends .Visit
the private beach of the ex-ruler of Mandvi, the Maharao (king) of Kutch and
get a taste of this new beach destination. Visit Vijay Vilas Palace nearby and
take camel rides on the beach. Moreover, the beach lies near to city centre
hence can be reached easily with the help of an auto, cab or rickshaw.
Daman & Diu
Devka
Beach
Mirasol Lake Garden Lighthouse, Daman - This beach is a pure sight of sheer beauty. Similar
to other beaches in Daman, this too is a beauty and un-spoilt. This place has
clean blue waters along with well maintained shores offering all. A special
Amusement park located nearby is a major attraction among tourists that
comprises of a play area for kids along with fountains. The cool beaches,
greenery, scenic natural beauty and most of all, the easy availability of cheap
liquor makes Daman a popular destination among youths and even as a getaway for
those in Gujarat. Best time to visit: October to April.
Nagoa Beach
This is a marvellous beach in the little town of
Diu. Fringed by palm trees and surrounded by white sand, the beach offers water
sports and is safe for sea bathing. Located near the port of Veraval, Diu is a
small island which was earlier a Portuguese colony, and is now guarded by
beaches all around. Attracts tourists from India and abroad. Best time to visit: July to March. Camel rides on this
beach are quite popular!
Maharastra
Manori Beach
Popular for Global Vippasanna Pagoda and beach parties, Manori
beach, located near Mumbai, along with Gorai beach is a growing favourite among
back packers and people who just want to cross over to th island to exprience the peace and calm
of the country side for a while and relaxing th mind, body and soul. One can visit this place throughout
the year. Stressed with city life, this place provides peace of mind and helps one to recharge.
Tarkarli, Malvan &
Devbag Beach
Tarkarli is famous for its long and narrow stretch
of beach, with its pristine water, white sand, and of course Singhudurg,
Maharashtra's popular sea fort. If you're prepared to travel the distance,
you'll be amply rewarded when you visit these beaches. The area is reminiscent
of Goa decades ago before development set in. Its narrow, palm-fringed roads
are lined with village homes, and locals can often be seen unhurriedly cycling
or walking to get around. The many beachfront homestays and guesthouses make it
an appealing and inexpensive area to stay. Plus, the opulent new
all-villa Coco Shambhala Sindhudurg provides a luxury accommodation
option. The serenity of the beaches is preserved by the fact that water sports
take place on a nearby island. Sindhudurg Fort is an attraction, along with the
best snorkeling and scuba diving off the Indian mainland. Best time to visit: October
to March. Distance from Mumbai is pproximately 500 kilometers.
Harihareshwar
Beach
Surrounded by four hills and with river Savitri
flowing through the town, Harihareshwar is famous for its temple of Lord
Harihareshwar and is a popular weekend beach destination especially for people
in Mumbai and Pune. Many people head to Harihareshwar, neighboring Shrivardhan,
to visit its Shiva temple that houses an ancient Shiva linga. There's
a pradakshina route around the temple, along the seashore. A rocky
surface, accessible only during low tide, makes the beach particularly
distinctive. The beach is actually split into two parts, north and south of the
temple. Best time to visit: October to March. Distance from Mumbai is approximately 210
kilometers.
Alibaug
A popular beach get-away for people in Mumbai and
Pune, this is possibly one of the most developed beach in this area. There are
plenty of restaurants, resorts and hotels on the beach. The peculiarity as well
as highlight of this beach is the black sand that lines its shores. Alibaug
(also spelled Alibag) is a sought-after weekend destination for Mumbai
residents. Many of the city's rich and famous own bungalows there. The town was
established in the 17th century and has quite an extensive history. There are
numerous old forts, churches, synagogues, and temples all waiting to be
explored. The main beach at Alibaug isn't very appealing though, so most people
head to the surrounding beaches. There are all kinds of accommodations ranging
from resorts to simple guesthouses.
A little coastal town tucked away in the Konkan
region of Maharashtra, Alibaug is a very popular weekend getaway holiday destination
and has earned itself the name of 'mini-Goa', owing to the high tourist
footfall all year round. Steeped in colonial history, Alibaug is a quaint
little town located about 110 kilometres from Mumbai, and is replete with sandy
beaches, clean unpolluted air and plenty of forts and temples, ensuring that
despite being a small town, you never run out of activities to do. Best time to
visit: November to March.
Kashid
Kashid beach on the Konkan stretch, is around 50
kms from Alibaug. This is a clean and pristine beach that is safe for sea
bathing. There are quite a few stay options around the beach and plenty of
tourist attractions like the Nawab’s Palace and Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary
nearby. A Beach town, popular for its white sand and blue seas situated in
Konkan region of Maharashtra, Kashid is the perfect destination for a quiet
weekend getaway from Mumbai. Best time to visit: October to March. Don’t
miss to see the Murud-Janjira sea fort , a few kilometers, away from the beach.
You can go right upto and inside the fort!
Karnataka
Om Beach
Shaped like the om sign, this rocky beach in
Gokarna is home to various Yoga practitioners. Along th beach, pretty shacks and resorts are located on the beach that make for a nice and comfortable stay. It’s popular
among local and foreign tourists. Now tourists being aware of these virgin beaches and pristine waters are coming to enjoy and explore this quiet place far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Many tourists who visited Goa now come here to be away from the crowds.
Kudlee
Beach
This wonderful one km-long sweep of golden-white
sand sheltered by a pair of steep-sided promontories is now punctuated by
around fifteen restaurants-cum-hut ventures and one proper hotel. This is the
longest and broadest of Gokarna’s beaches, and with decent surf too, though the
water can be dangerous. But the view is fantastic with clear water and white sand all along the length of the beach.
Rabindranath
Tagore Beach
This is the main beach in Karwar town, 50 kms
before Goa. This beach hosts a small Aquarium and a Naval Museum. Safe for some
sea bathing, plenty of water sports like Kayaking, Banana Boat rides etc. are
available here. Take a trip to the Kurumgad Island, a 45 minutes boat ride from
the beach!
Murudeshwar
Beach
The beach is a jumping off point for Netrani
Islands for scuba diving. But if you’re less adventurous, then the larger than
life Shiva statue on the banks, a local market and a temple are the highlights.
The Mangalore and Hubli airports are the closest, though
overnight buses are available from major towns in Karnataka.Best time to visit: November
to February in the cooler months
Kapu Beach
Locally pronounced as Kaapoo, this beach is
sandwiched by the Arabian Sea and the bustling Udipi town. A lone lighthouse
and a small park below make for a stunning foreground to the sea. Kapu beach is
near Udupi and is very popular with the students of Manipal. A virgin beach,
this one is ideal for relaxation. Enjoy nature’s bountiful sights here. There
are a few restaurants where you can sample local food. Climb up the lighthouse
for a beautiful view of the entire beach. Mangalore is the closest airport
to Udipi. Overnight trains and buses from major south Indian cities are
available. Best time to visit: October to February. Boat rides and dolphin
watching is available here.
Ullal,
Mangalore
If you’re looking to escape the city for a few
hours, then head out to the village of Ullal, where a long sandy beach
stretches for kilometres, backed by wispy fir trees. It’s a deservedly popular
place for a stroll, particularly in the evening when Mangaloreans come out to
watch the sunset, but a strong waves and under currents makes swimming difficult,
and at times unsafe. It has a reputation for being dangerous because of th strong, high and wild waves hitting the coastline.
Kerala
Kovalam
Beach
If you want action, you'll definitely find it
at Kovalam Beach, the most popular and most developed beach in Kerala.
Often compared to Goa's Calangute and Baga beaches, Kovalam is
located not far from the capital, it’s about 16 kms Thiruvanthapuram. It's actually made up of two
main coves—Hawa (also referred to as Eve's Beach) and Lighthouse Beach.
Lighthouse is the biggest and busiest of the two, with its promenade lined with
open-air restaurants. Kovalam is a popular surfing destination in India.
If you'd prefer somewhere a little more secluded, you'll find nearby Samudra
Beach to be a better option. Popular with honeymooners, this beach has quite a
few good hotels and resorts to stay in. Plenty of restaurants around the beach
ensure you get to sample some delicious Kerala food! Try out the famed Kerala
Ayurvedic Massage whilst here.
Varkala
Beach
Among all the beachs in Kerala,Varkala
Beach is the pick of the beaches in Kerala, in terms of ambiance and
facilities. Although more and more tourists are flocking there every year, it's
still less crowded than Kovalam. The scenery here is striking. The beach lies
at the bottom of a long stretch of cliff that's bordered by beach shacks and
shops. You can stay right on the cliff, overlooking the ocean, or set back from
it. It's incredibly romantic! Lots of young foreigners and couples enjoy this
beach.
Bekal Beach
Bekal Beach, in far North Kerala, approximatly
90-minute drive from Mangalore airport in Karnataka, is a popular beach and
also famous for its old fort—one of the largest forts in Kerala. The beaches
are clean and unspoiled, but luxury hotels have already started moving into the
area, making it the place for a pampered getaway. The most popular resort is
the gorgeous Taj Vivanta. The secluded LaLiT Resort and Spa
Bekal is located on a private beach with backwaters running through it.
However, it's more pricey as compared to other hotels.
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