- Saturday, April 20, 2024
By: Eastern Eye Staff
The beach might not be the first thing you associate with India (unless we’re talking about Goa, of course). However, you might be surprised. India boasts more than 7,500km of coastline – so you’d be safe in assuming there are quite a few spectacular beaches in there. Whether you want to head for yoga retreats in Goa, golden sands just a stone’s throw from Kerala’s backwaters, or even a beach voted the best in Asia – it’s all there in India.
With that in mind, we’ve put this post of the 10 most beautiful beaches https://www.boteboard.com/collections/paddleboards in India. It will help you to plan your trip and learn a little more about the coastline of this incredible country. Let’s go!
Mandrem Beach, North Goa
When writing a list of the most beautiful beaches in India, there’s only one place to start. And that is Goa. Mandrem is in northern Goa between Ashvem and Arambol beaches, but shh, it’s a bit of a secret! Not only does it have calm waters that are perfect for swimming and stand up paddle boarding, but the few travellers who do end up here often cite it as a great place for yoga and meditation. For a unique experience for both your mental and physical health, why not enjoy SUP yoga at sunrise or sunset? Sounds good, doesn’t it!
Palolem Beach, Goa
At the other end of Goa, in the south, you’ll find the stunning Palolem Beach. The postcard-perfect beach doesn’t suffer from the overcrowding and noise of other beaches in the region – there’s a ban on music after 10pm. However, there is a way around that. Get yourself a pair of headphones and take part in one of the beach’s silent noise parties! Like many of Goa’s beaches, yoga is popular here. Other activities include dolphin sighting excursions and heading inland to a number of wildlife sanctuaries.
Baga Beach, Goa
Okay, this is our last beach in Goa, we promise. We do have to fit the rest of India in after all! One of the most famous beaches in the country, Baga Beach has loads to do, day or night. In the day time, enjoy water sports such as stand up paddle boarding or jetskiing. Or, just chill out and relax on the golden sands! At night, you can check out the nearby night markets and get delicious street food before making the most of Baga’s wild parties. Not one for tourists looking for peace and quiet, but stunning nonetheless.
Tarkarli Beach, Maharashtra
In the region of Maharashtra, between Goa and Mumbai, you’ll find the epic Tarkarli Beach. It has powdery white sands which stretch for miles – but you won’t have to share it with too many others as it’s a bit of a hidden gem. The Malvan stretch of the beach has calm waters which make it excellent for swimming and snorkelling. Further out to sea, you can even try scuba diving. Head up to the 17th century Sindhudurg Fort to get the a new and refreshing perspective on the beach.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Kovalam is one of the most popular beaches in Kerala, and its gentle waves are another spot where you can make the most of stand up paddle boarding. Made up of three beaches, Hawa Beach, Samudra Beach, and Lighthouse Beach, it’s a great place to bring the family as there are lots of cafes and restaurants just off the sand.
Marari Beach, Kerala
100km from the city of Kochi, Marari Beach gives you the best of both worlds. A trip here sees you combining days on the stunning golden sands with trips around Kerala’s famous Backwaters. It’s a picturesque ideal of a tropical beach, with palm trees softly swaying in the breeze a little further back. If you’re looking for a day trip in the area, consider visiting the popular Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna is proof that you don’t have to head to Goa for powder-white sands and turquoise waters. Om Beach is loved by hippies and there are lots of secluded coves that you can discover either in your kayak or on the back of a stand up paddle board. The low cost of travel here means that backpackers can save their money to spend in the awesome cafes and restaurants near the beach.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
No list of the best beaches in India is complete without Rahanagar Beach. According to TIME Magazine, it’s the best beach in Asia and many other lists rank it in their top 10. Located on Havelock Island in the Bay of Bengal, Radhanagar (also known as beach No. 7) boasts soft white sands and bright blue waters against the backdrop of a tropical rainforest. You can swim here, but only between 8am and 4pm. Spend the rest of the time chilling on the sand, and don’t miss the sunset!
Minicoy, Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep sets itself up to be disappointing – it promises 100,000 islands but there are actually only 36! However, the name is the only thing that’s a let down – as this atoll is simply stunning. Minicoy is the furthest south and though it’s difficult to get to, you won’t regret travelling this far at all. The island is just 1.8 miles so can easily be explored in a day, but you’ll spend a lot more time falling in love with this place!
Dhanushkodi Beach, Tamil Nadu
Want to see where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean? Of course you do. Set to be where the Setu Bridge was built to Sri Lanka, there’s no evidence of that. Just golden sands and fishing boats floating on the brilliant blue waters. This is as far south in India as you can go, so sit back and enjoy the view.
References:
GILI Sports
