Top beaches in India

With one of the world’s longest coastline at its disposal, India has incredibly scenic beaches that offer everything from solitude and sunbathing to parties and adventure, here are the ones that you really shouldn’t miss out on.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
A long stretch of white sandy beach running alongside the Malabar Coast—Kovalam beach has been Kerala’s most popular destination for years. Located 16 km from Trivandrum, the beach is a union of three coves, namely the Hawa Beach, the Lighthouse beach and the Samudra Beach. Named after the lighthouse perched atop the Kurumkal Hill, the Lighthouse beach is the one most frequented by tourists.
Palolem Beach, Goa
Enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms in south Goa, Palolem Beach, known for its dolphin-spotting tours, is arguably the state’s most idyllic beach. Its southern end tends to be much busier while the northern stretch is comparatively quieter being surrounded by a picturesque island that you can walk out to during low tide.
Baga Beach, Goa
For those who like long sandy beaches packed with lively shacks and a party atmosphere, Baga beach in north Goa is the perfect destination. Water sports, para sailing, dolphin sightseeing, beach shacks, bars and clubs—you’ll find them all here! The crowd here is young and lively, the music loud, and the atmosphere runs from cheerful to crazy.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Bestowed with the precious award of ‘Asia’s best beach’ by Time Magazine in 2004, Radhanagar beach is undoubtedly one of the most tranquil beaches of the Andaman Islands. Fine white sand and turquoise blue waters are the hallmark of this beautiful stretch and the beach, situated on Havelock Island, is most commonly known as Beach No 7.
Varkala Beach, Kerala
Lying along the edge of stunning cliffs, Varkala Beach is located an hour’s drive north of Trivandrum in Kerala. A haven for sun-bathing and swimming, the beach offers picturesque evening views that extend over the Arabian Sea. The beach is believed to have medicinal and curative properties and a dip in its waters is believed to purge the body of all impurities.
Tarkarli Beach, Malvan
A long coastline and pristine clear waters make this beach ideal for a romantic escape. Located at the confluence of the Karli River and the Arabian Sea, the Tarkarli beach is popular because of its clear waters, where on a fairly sunny day one can see the seabed up to a depth of 20 feet.
Arambol Beach, Goa
Approached by a winding road that leads through a groove of cashew trees, Arambol beach is Goa’s hippy hangout in the northern part of the state. At a visible distance near the shore of the beach is a scenic freshwater pond which is perfect for swimming.
Varca Beach, Goa
A seemingly endless strip of sand, Varca beach is a quiet, calm and almost entirely hawker-free beach. Situated about 2 km from Benaulim, the beach is marked by a number of wooden boats, belonging to the fishermen of the city. Known to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, Varca makes it easy for visitors to spend some time on the beach in solitude.
Marari Beach, Kerala
Little known Marari Beach, not far from Alleppey, is perfect for those wanting to explore the Kerala backwaters along with its many beaches. With golden sands and palm trees, the beach is great for sea surfing, water skiing, parasailing and deep-sea fishing. The name Marari originates from ‘Mararikulum’, a small and sleepy fishing village on the Arabian Sea coast.
Mandarmani Beach, Kolkata
About 180 km south of Kolkata, Mandarmani is a sleepy fishing village that is home to a heavenly beach stretching nearly 15 km, making it one of the longest drivable beaches in India. It is also one of the most unpolluted beaches in the country, and supports countless colonies of red sand bubbler crabs.
Bangaram Island Beach, Lakshwadeep
A turquoise-hued world of clear, warm seas and silver sand, the Bangaram Island Beach in Lakshwadeep is widely regarded as one of the top ten secret beaches in the world, where tourists are flown in by helicopters during the monsoon season. Silvery beaches and swaying coconut palms make Bangaram a heavenly escapade for travel enthusiasts. Adventure seekers can go diving, snorkelling, sailing and deep-sea fishing.