Dust off your swimwear and start packing for your next holiday at the best beaches in India. From volcanic silt to idyllic golden sand, there is a range of beaches for you to enjoy throughout this vast country. Bring your family, your partner, or your mates and get ready for a holiday to remember.
Best beaches in India for surfing
Known for its awesome surfing beaches, where better a place to start? Enjoy morning and evening waves whilst watching the sunset, soak up the sublime scenery and take in some of the country’s best surfing conditions.
Mamallapuram – Chengalpattu
Starting with the thriving surf scene in the South of India, Mamallapuram is one of the best beaches in India to take to the waves. Close to Chennai, it can be reached in around 1h 30min by car. This golden sandy beach offers a great place to hone your board skills. With the Covelong Point surf school being a great place to learn this sport, you can also soak up the vibrant atmosphere that comes in the form of music festivals and many other adrenalin-fuelled water sports.
Auroville Beach – Pondicherry
Another of the best beaches in India for surfing is Auroville, which can be found about 15min by car from the city of Pondicherry. This stretch of volcanic sand is popular with surfers who want to get a glimpse of epic sunrises whilst they’re catching the waves. The waters are clear and shallow too, so it’s also the ideal beach for those that are not confident swimmers. A selection of beach bars and restaurants is the cherry on top, so you’ll never have to go far to refuel.
Varkala – Kerala
The last of our great surfing beaches in India is in Varkala, which is just over an hour’s drive north of Thiruvananthapuram. Not only is this one of the best beaches in Kerala, India, for surfing, but thanks to the beautiful sands, it’s also an ideal place to relax in between waves. A lively backpacking scene, combined with lots of temples, means there are loads to do off the beach too. With shops, restaurants, and bars located all around this popular spot, surfers will find everything they need for a rad holiday.
Best beaches in India for natural beauty
It goes without saying that India and natural beauty go hand in hand. Whether you’re looking for amazing views or beautiful backdrops, you won’t be disappointed by Mother Nature in India.
Kapu – Karnataka
For beautiful beaches in India, look no further than the sandy beach of Kapu, which is located on the east coast of India, about a 20min drive south of Udupi. Although one of our favourite locations for views into the Arabian Sea, we don’t recommend swimming here, as the currents can get quite strong. For even more mesmerising vistas, head up to the Kapu Lighthouse, where you’ll want to take a panoramic picture or two. Take care on the stairs though, as they get more precarious the higher you go.
Bekal – Kerala
Next up on our list of the best beaches in India for natural beauty is Bekal, which is a small town on the west coast of India. You can usually reach the beach on foot in under 30min from the town centre, making it convenient for those without cars. Another beach that offers sublimely scenic views of the Arabian Sea, it’s backed by swaying palm trees and rocky outcrops. One of the best beaches in South India, it offers a golden stretch of sand, which is ideal for a photoshoot.
Arambol – North Goa
For another beach in India that offers picture-perfect moments, head to Arambol Beach in North Goa. You can get to the beach easily on foot from Arambol, with it typically taking under 30min. With the mountains behind you and the sea in front, it offers an idyllic setting. The beach itself boasts golden sands and an array of restaurants, snack bars and facilities, so there’s something for everyone.
Marari – Kerala
It’s hardly surprising that the list of best beaches in India for natural beauty is seemingly endless. Marari Beach is another of those that should be high on your itinerary if you’re in Kerala. One of the best things about this sandy beach is that whilst it doesn’t get too busy with tourists, it still offers all the necessary facilities like shops and restaurants.
Famous for its fiery orange sunsets, this beach provides the perfect photo opportunity for those wanting to experience nature at its purest. You can get to Marari Beach easily on foot.
Agonda – South Goa
From North Goa to South Goa, Agonda Beach is situated just off the nearby village of Agonda and so is ideal for anyone wanting to walk to the beach. Offering a romantic shorefront, this sandy beach provides families and romantics with the perfect place for a sunset stroll. Ideal for swimming too, the waters are clear and shallow – great for all levels of swimmer. One of only four protected turtle nesting areas in India, you might also get the chance to see this fascinating species in its element.
Gokarna – Karnataka
Another of the best beaches in India known for its natural beauty is that of Gokarna Beach, which is located about a 10min walk from the town centre. Renowned for its sacred temple, this town provides visitors with a pristine sandy beach that is ideal for families. One of the charms of this tree-flanked beach is that it’s not very commercialised, so you get the feeling of being secluded even though the town is only a stone’s throw away.
Best beaches in India for families
It may not spring to mind as the first place to take your kids, but India has a range of great beaches that are family-friendly. With safe waters and nearby resorts, what more can you ask for from a family beach holiday?
Palolem – Goa
Back in Goa, there are some great beaches in India for families, one of which is Palolem. Located a short walk from the centre of the tourist resort, it’s ideal for families with little ones who may want to pop back to their accommodation intermittently. With white sand and calm waters, it’s the perfect playground for parents with young children.
Located in a forest of coconut trees and boasting crystal-clear waters, you’ll feel like you’ve found your own little corner of paradise. Offering a great variety of restaurants and shops, you’ll be able to refuel your whole family with ease at this beach too.
Mandarmani – West Bengal
Over on the east coast is another of the best beaches in India, which offers the perfect location for families thanks to its still and clear waters. Kids can wade to a depth that’s comfortable for them, so it is ideal for swimmers of all capabilities. This long sandy beach also offers a great place for families to play and build sand castles.
One of the highlights of this beach is the little red crabs that often come up to the shoreline. You’ll be able to find the beach on the seafront of the town too, which means it won’t take long for you and your little ones to arrive on foot.
Alappuzha Beach – Kerala
Another of the best beaches in India for families is Alappuzha Beach, also known as Lighthouse Beach. This beach provides a network of lagoons and freshwater rivers too, in which stronger swimmers can go for a dip. The beach itself is a clean and sandy stretch of shore, with a roughly 140-year-old pier.
Families can get to the beach easily, making it very convenient. Only a stone’s throw from the city centre, you can walk to it in about 30min. The beach offers facilities such as an ice-cream parlour, which always goes down well with kids, and the nearby Vijay Park, where kids can enjoy a range of slides and play equipment.
Minicoy Beach, Lakshadweep
Last but certainly not least on our list of family beaches in India is Minicoy. An island resort in the Lakshadweep archipelago, it’s considered one of the prettiest beaches in the country. You can reach the island by boat, which takes around 14 hours depending on which crossing you take. Once you’re on the island, you can enjoy the tranquillity, along with the white sand and clear waters that are safe for your children to swim in.
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Best beaches in India for couples
Whether you’re travelling with your loved one or you’re on a honeymoon to your dream destination, Indian beaches won’t let you down when it comes to couples’ holidays. Take a look at our list of recommended beaches and let the romance commence.
Puri – Odisha
If you’re travelling with your partner, one of the best beaches in India is in the city of Puri. Located in Eastern India, the beach is only a short walk from the centre of the bustling city. The golden sands offer the perfect place for you to relax with your loved one, whilst the long stretch of coastline is ideal for romantic walks. There’s lots to do in the city too, such as seeing the sacred temples of Shree Jagannath and Shree Gundicha or visiting an array of vibrant bars and restaurants.
Anjuna – North Goa
Over in Western India, you’ll find Anjuna, another of the most romantic beaches. The beach is located about a 10min walk from the centre of the laid-back village, so you can reach it with ease. It’s one of the best bikini beaches in India, with a sand and palm-tree backdrop that provides a stunning place to spend some time with your partner.
There are also electronic parties, flea markets, and a range of great architecture nearby, which means this beach caters to all. To top it off, you can visit Sunset Point, which is renowned for being one of the best locations to watch the sun go down.
Azhithala Beach – Nileshwar
In Northern Kerala, Azhithala has one of the best honeymoon beaches in India. Known for its clean waters and champagne-coloured sands, it’s a popular choice for couples partly thanks to the amazing sunsets on offer. The sea can be quite choppy at times though, so it should be reserved for stronger swimmers. You will also find a variety of nearby shops and stalls nearby, which means you won’t have to go far if you want to refuel for the day.
The beach is located around a 10min drive from Thaikadappuram, or alternatively about a 45min walk. The cherry on top of this beach is that it’s home to turtles who lay their eggs between August and March.
Mandrem Beach – Goa
Mandrem Beach is another of the best beaches in Goa, India, for couples seeking out a romantic holiday destination. A picture-perfect place, you can enjoy coconut trees and colourful fisherman shacks as the backdrop to the silty and soft sand. A relatively untouched beach, due to the fact it’s a protected nesting site for turtles, it’s recommended you bring food and refreshments with you. To get to the beachfront, you can either drive for about 5min from Madhalamaj or walk for around 20min.
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Best beaches in India for water sports and snorkelling
We’ll finish off our list of the best beaches in India with some fun for those that like an active beach holiday. From snorkelling and diving to banana boats and beach football, India caters for all.
Tarkarli – Maharashtra
If it’s water sports you’re after, then Tarkarli should be high up on your list. An iconic place to go diving and snorkelling, you can take in the impressive coral reefs and see what marine life is on show. If these aren’t your cup of tea, then the sea is also ideal for swimmers of all ages. If you’re lucky, you may even see a friendly dolphin, with these mammals often being spotted close to the shoreline.
With powdery golden sand spanning the coastline, it also makes for the perfect family getaway. Add to that its close proximity to Tarkarli town, which generally takes under 10min on foot to reach, and you’ve got an ideal beach for people of all ages.
Rushikonda – Andhra Pradesh
This beach city is ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy some adrenaline-fuelled water sports during their holiday. From water skiing to windsurfing, it’s got a lot. Add to that golden sand, superb waves, and a stunning shoreline, and this city beach is a must-visit for all travellers. Located only a short walk from the busy metropolis, you’ll also be able to find a variety of restaurants and bars close by, so you can re-energise.
Ganpatipule – Maharashtra
Last but definitely not least on our list of best beaches in India is Ganpatipule Beach, which is located about a 15min walk from the centre of the coastal town. Scuba divers and snorkellers can have a lot of fun here, with there being an array of marine life to explore. If you don’t want to dive, then there is also jet-skiing, banana boats, and motor gliding that you can try your hand at. There are even camel rides that you can enjoy along the waterfront.
The beach is made up of firm golden sand, which makes it ideal for sports such as beach football and volleyball too. Finished off with a selection of restaurants and shops, this beach is great for everyone.
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