The beaches of India are some of the best in the world and in some areas are picture perfect and lined with coconut palms, white sands and crystal clear waters. Some of the best beaches can be found in Goa, Maharashtra, Chennai, Orissa, Kerala and on the Andaman And Nicobar Islands
Goa, India Best Beaches
Goa offers some of the most beautiful and tranquil beaches to be found in India, each one offering its own unique charm, that appeal to both sun worshipers, watersport enthusiasts and romantics. The most popular beaches in Goa are Anjuna Beach, Calangute Beach, Palolem Beach and Dona Paula beach.
- Anjuna Beach
Located in the North of Goa, the beach at Anjuna has a lasting reputation from the 1960's and 1970's when it was a popular hippie hangout, even today is still has a very popular dance and music scene that kicks off after the sun goes down.
The beach offers soft sand and plenty of palm trees along with clean and quiet waters perfect for swimming. Besides the superb beach and picturesque view there is held the Wednesday Flea Market where you can pick up a wide range of souvenirs, clothing and handicrafts.
- Calangute Beach
Often regarded as the best beach in Goa, Calangute is a picturesque beach that is lined with palm trees and contains clean sand, excellent swimming conditions and watersport activities such as water skiing and wind surfing. There are also various shacks on the beach itself and is often a lovely beach to relax on.
The area has several eateries with seafood often featuring on the menu, and plenty of accommodation available. Close to the beach you will also find several shops selling a wide range of products such as handicrafts and jewelry.
- Palolem Beach
The beach at Palolem is very appealing not only for the amazing view
of coconut palms which naturally follow the curve of the beach and the soft white sand upon which to relax on but also for the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Sea.
Palolem is very tourist friendly and during peak months you will find plenty of bamboo beach huts, and a good selection of beach shacks and restaurants open right on the beach itself, not to mention an an excellent supply of beverages.
- Dona Paula Beach
A beautiful stretch of beach which has a wonderful exotic feel to it. According to local myth it is named after Dona Paula de Menzes who threw herself off a cliff when she was refused permission to marry a local fisherman.
This incredibly popular beach is well known for its water sport activities and relaxing atmosphere, as well as for the variety of shops, eateries and accommodation that can also to be found here.
Orissa, India Best Beaches
The beaches along the north eastern coastline of India are well known for their beauty, in particular is Gopalpur On Sea.
- Gopalpur On Sea
Located on the north eastern coast within the Bay of Bengal and within the Ganjam district of the state of Orissa. Gopalpur beach is one of the quietist and most pristine beaches to be found in India and is admired for its clean white sand, surrounded by dunes and coconut groves. The sea is excellent for swimming and for other water sport activities such as sailing and surfing and there are plenty of hotels, resorts and eateries to be found in the area.
Maharashtra, India Best Beaches
The vast state of Maharashtra borders the Arabian Sea on the west coast and some of the most popular beaches are found near to Mumbai such as Juhu Beach, Marve Beach and Girgaum Chowpatty.
- Juhu Beach
A very popular beach in the Juhu suburb of Mumbai that often attracts huge crowds which come to enjoy the wide and very long stretch of beach. A very tourist friendly area with plenty of hotel accommodation and opportunities to buy food and beverages as well as local handicrafts and souvenirs.
- Marve Beach
Marve beach is a good spot if you are seeking a quiet walk or a picnic area, the sea is not suitable for swimming due to the strong currents.
- Girgaum Chowpatty
A very well known and popular beach that forms part of Marine Drive
in the heart of the city of Mumbai. The beach is a popular destination for the Hindu Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Chennai, India Best Beaches
Sitting within the Bay of Bengal on India's eastern side is Marina Beach which is Chennai's most popular beach.
- Marina Beach
Marina beach in Chennai is incredibly long and reaches some 13 kilometers in length and is well known for its fantastic sunsets. Either end of the beach is popular with the fishermen and there is a lighthouse at the southern end that is open to visitors. The road that follows the beach now features several statues and monuments such as that of Mahatma Gandhi and there are plenty of places to buy food and drinks.
There are strong sea undercurrents here so swimming is not recommended, however other watersports activities such as windsurfing still seem to be popular.
Kerala, India Best Beaches
Kerala is located on the south western coast of India and has several popular beaches called Samudra Beach, Hawa Beach and Light House Beach which are often grouped together under the name of Kovalam Beach.
- Kovalam Beach
A incredibly scenic stretch of coastline that is still used by fishermen and contains an excellent scattering of coconut trees and clear blue seas which are perfect for many watersport activities. There are three areas of rocky headland that beautifully separate Kovalam's three main beaches which are Samudra Beach, Hawa Beach and Light House Beach all of which are tranquil and picturesque beaches.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India Best Beaches
Situated within the Bay of Bengal the beaches of the Andaman And Nicobar Islands offer incredibly picturesque and unspoiled tropical beaches and a bountiful supply of stunning marine life.
- Corbyn's Cove, Radhanagar Beach, Hariminder Beach, Karmatang Beach and Ramnagar Beach are amongst the most popular destinations and the clear blue sea is perfect for swimming and snorkeling and the beaches are tranquil and perfect for relaxing on. The islands are not overrun with tourism yet and so make a superb getaway.