If you just observe the map of India, you’d see that our country is surrounded by seawater on three sides. There’s the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Sea surrounding our country. In other words, India has a huge coastline, 7516.6 km to be specific. A huge coastline also means our country is home to some stunning beaches!
The 9 lucky coastal states of India are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, Karnataka, Goa and West Bengal. Let’s not forget, there are also 4 Union Territories that are a part of the Indian coastline. They are Daman & Diu, Pondicherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
Now it’s no secret that choosing just 6 doesn’t do justice to the pretty beaches to explore in the country. It does feel like cherry picking, but these are some of the most impressive ones that are still untouched by many. It’s no fun to see more people on the beach than sand, so let’s go over the 6 best offbeat beaches in India.
6 Of The Most Offbeat Beaches In India
1. Nagoa Beach In Diu District
It should be no surprise that Diu is a favorite beach destination for Indians. The district is extremely close to Gujarat, and the vibe of this region is often compared to Goa. For that matter, it’s even called ‘Mini Goa’ by many. But one thing that makes it stand out from the Goa beaches is the absence of crowds. Diu, as a district, is not just extremely small; it is also one of the least populated places in India. The town has a low skyline because there are hardly any buildings.
Amongst the beautiful beaches that Diu boasts of, Nagoa Beach is a clear standout. Location-wise, it’s great because it’s on the Diu Airport road, which is very well-maintained. The beach is clean, spacious and never gets too crowded. You could also just take a city bus to get there from the main town of Diu. At the beach, you’ll spot rows of the Hoka tree, which is a unique palm tree only found in this area.
Other than chilling at the beach and letting time comfortably pass you by, you could also explore a few other sites nearby. There’s a 15th-century fort known as Diu Fort, which is hard to avoid. The structure of the fort is massive, and it even has 3 of the oldest churches inside the fort. The Church of St Francis of Assisi, St Paul’s Church and St Thomas Church.
Fudam Bird Sanctuary, Naida Caves, Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple and Diu Cricket Pavillion are some of the other nearby attractions you can choose to explore if you have some more time.
Nearest Airport: Diu Airport (1.2 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Veraval Junction (89 km away)
2. Devbagh Beach, Karnataka
Devbagh is a private island located in Karwar, a town which falls in the state of Karnataka. It is not too far away from Goa. A drone view of this island looks like it’s a very thin strip of land, but trust us, it’s an absolute gem of a beach. The beauty of Devbagh Beach is that it’s the point where the Arabian Sea and the Kali River meet.
This confluence point makes it a great strategic point for fishing, which is why there’s a huge fishing community on this island. The locals here are extremely friendly, and you’ll catch them at work. You could capture panoramic views of the entire island from a lighthouse nearby, too.
Devbagh also offers a load of exciting water sports. There’s parasailing, snorkeling, speed boat cruises, banana boat rides, water scooters and kayaking too. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, you will be spoiled for choice. On some boat rides, should you be lucky, you might also get to see dolphins! Clear skies, a sandy beach and the mangrove trees exquisitely come together to make Devbagh the ideal place to unwind.
Nearest Airport: Dabolim Airport, Goa (82 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Karwar (12 km away)
3. Paradise Beach, Pondicherry
This beach is situated in Chunnambar, which is pretty close to the town of Pondicherry, just about 8 km away. Just like its name suggests, the beach is truly a paradise. Clear sand and water to put your mind at ease. This beach is isolated from the other crowded beaches in Pondicherry, so we’d highly recommend spending a day here.
You can reach this beauty by taking a ferry from the backwaters. If anything, that serves as a delightful experience of its own, since you would pass by some thick mangrove forests, the sight of which is nothing short of phenomenal.
There are a variety of water sports available on this beach, too. One side of the beach remains occupied with the activities, while the other is empty. You can pick your side of the beach and just enjoy a walk here.
To reach here, you would need to get to Chunnambar Boat House, which is on the highway between Cuddalore and Pondicherry. Here, you can book a ticket for the ferry that will take you to Paradise Beach. The ticket would cost you approximately INR 200. Don’t leave till you see the sunset here!
Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport (155 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Villupuram Junction (41 km away)
4. Cherai Beach, North Kerala
Cherai Beach is located in the state of Kerala. It can easily be reached from Cochin, which is a major tourist city. This stretch of beach is 10 km long. It can be considered a slightly active beach because you’d find many restaurants and lots of resorts parallel to the beach. Not isolated completely, but safe to swim, sunbathe and take a stroll.
There’s the Arabian Sea on one side, and backwaters and fish farms in the vicinity of the beach. This makes it special as you’re exploring different sides of the city. The majority of the villages here are dedicated to fishing, and the communities here are extremely friendly.
The resorts here are at a reasonable price, so you could choose to stay here for a night if you fall in love with the vibe of the place. We’d recommend stepping out to the beach early in the morning to catch a beautiful view of the sunrise.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport (26 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam Junction (28 km away)
5. Yarada Beach, Andhra Pradesh
Located around 15 km from the city of Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Yarada Beach is an isolated beauty that’s surrounded by the backdrop of rocky hills. Driving to this beach is ideal, as you’ll get to experience the fantastic views of the said hills.
The surroundings of the beach are covered by banana and coconut plantations. You should try the roasted corn and coconut water on this beach, all the while drinking in the mesmerizing views of the waves hitting the huge rocks.
The historic Dolphin Nose Lighthouse is minutes away from this beach, so you should visit there as well to get some panoramic views of the eastern coast. What’s interesting is the backstory of this lighthouse. It is known to have guided ships to enter the Visakhapatnam Port in the yesteryears. Add to it the fact that Visakhapatnam Port is India’s second-largest port, making the lighthouse all the more incredible and worth a visit!
Nearest Airport: Visakhapatnam International Airport (23 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Visakhapatnam Junction (18 km away)
6. Dhanushkodi Beach, Tamil Nadu
This is one of the most underrated beaches with one of the most spectacular views. Famously known as the last land point of India, the Dhanushkodi Beach is surrounded by the sea. You can truly relax at this beach, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other, both merging. This is why people really have a hard time naming the color of the water here, because it sometimes takes the shade of blue and other times green. You can decide this for yourself when you’re there.
The base city to reach here is Rameswaram, which is 12 km away from Dhanushkodi, also famous for being a ghost town. Rameshwaram can be easily reached from Trichy, Chennai or even Coimbatore. From Rameshwaram, the best way to reach the beach is by an auto, which would cost approximately INR 800-1000. One amazing experience you’ll have en route to Dhanushkodi is a scenic ride on the famed Pamban Bridge.
You must visit this beach during the day as the area is closed at 5 pm. Walking on clean sand and crystal clear water that has so much history just sets this visit apart from a typical day at the beach. Also, you get a taste of an exotic naked beach.
Nearest Airport: Madurai Airport (199 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Rameswaram (19 km away)
FAQs
Which Is The Cleanest Beach In India?
Padubidri Beach in Udupi, Karnataka, has earned the title of the cleanest beach in the world! This was declared by a jury of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
Which Is The Dirtiest Beach In India?
Juhu Beach in Mumbai has the unfortunate tag of being the dirtiest in India. However, it has become relatively cleaner in recent times, thanks to the lockdown!
Where Are The Finest Beaches In India?
- Gokarna Main Beach, Karnataka
- Ganpatipule Beach, Maharashtra
- Galgibaga Beach, Goa
- Marari Beach, Kerala
- Paradise Beach, Pondicherry
- Agonda Beach, Goa
- Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep
- Devbagh Beach, Karnataka
- Dhanushkodi Beach, Tamil Nadu
Which Indian State Has The Smallest Beautiful Beaches?
Goa: Despite being the smallest state in India and having a coastline of a mere 160 km, Goa has some of the best beaches in India. No wonder it’s the go-to place for all the beach bums out there!
Why Beaches In India Are Not Blue?
You’d think pollution is the main reason for beaches in India not being blue, but there’s more to it. Factors like the color and consistency of the sands, the plankton in the waters, and the fact that rivers bring soil and sediment to the seas are responsible for it. If you visit the beaches in islands like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, or the Palolem Beach in Goa, the waters there are much bluer!
Which State Has the Most Beaches In India?
Gujarat may not be the first place you think of when it comes to beaches, but with a coastline of nearly 1600 km, it has the most beaches in India – some popular, some just waiting to be discovered!
Which Place Is Famous For Its Beaches?
Goa is your first thought when it comes to beaches, and for good reason, too! You’ll find pristine beaches here all too often. Combine that with a bustling nightlife, and you’ve got yourself a perfect party destination!
Which State Has The Longest Beach?
Tamil Nadu has the longest beach in India. It’s the Marina Beach in Chennai, which stretches for 12 kms along the Bay of Bengal, and is the second-longest beach in the world.
Which Beach In Goa Has Blue Water?
Palolem Beach in Goa has the bluest waters. But if you’re looking for that perfect azure color, head on to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep.
Which State Has No Coastline In India?
Except Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the remaining states and UTs don’t have a coastline.
