10 Picturesque Beaches in India
Bharat, the ancient land of a great civilization is blessed with innumerable quality resources whether it is human, wildlife, nature, divinity, ingenuity, brilliance, and many other countless spheres. Ours is a divine land where every aspect of nature around us is given space, venerated and worshiped. This very nature has provided a great spectacle on three sides of our country in the form of wonderful beaches that provide great visual delight and act as amazing tourist escapades. Boasting of long coastlines, there is no dearth of pristine, picturesque and exotic beaches in Bharat which can be easily explored if we start looking inward rather than outside the country. Listed below are ten beaches of Bharat that must be visited for a fulfilling and unmatched experience of sea, sand and sun.
Kadmat Beach, Lakshadweep: Located on the island of Kadmat in the archipelago of Lakshadweep, this beach has gained the blue flag certification awarded to eco friendly beaches that are picturesque and have tourist friendly qualities. Well known in the tourist circuit, the beach is a famous destination for water sports enthusiasts. The white sand beaches stretching all over the coastline of the island are not only alluring but entice the visitors for a long walk. Kadmat island is about two hours boat ride away from Agatti island which has an airstrip.
Thundi Beach, Lakshadweep: Situated near a lagoon with shallow and crystal clear light bluish waters, Thundi beach is an astonishingly beautiful place located on Minicoy Island. Awarded the Blue flag certification, the beach is a great place to laze around in turquoise waters with blue sky, white sand and green patch of trees providing a picturesque visual. A lighthouse of British times is located nearby. Minicoy island can be reached by passenger ships from Cochin, a journey of 18 hours.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Considered as one of the top beaches of the world, Radhanagar beach is a confluence of the great elements of nature. Blessed with hills covered with foliage that run parallel to the sea, visiting this beach located on Havelock Island is an unparalleled experience. Located on a secluded edge of the island, the foot trail to the beach builds up suspense till the trail opens into a breathtaking view of open seas. It is one unique beach that provides a view not even remotely matched anywhere else in Bharat.
Ganapati Phule Beach, Maharashtra: This lovely beach is located about 330 kms away from Mumbai and about 25 kms away from Ratnagiri. It is a famous religious tourist place in Maharashtra as the presence of a Ganesha temple on the beach gives a touch of divinity to the location. The hill overlooking the beach is a fantastic place to view the sunset. One end of the beach has a hill stretching into the sea, and on the other end, a river merges with the sea. The river, for a short distance, flows parallel to the sea and this piece of land in between is a great place to spend time in the evenings.
Gopalpur Beach, Odisha: Situated in the southern part of the state, it is a mesmerising location thronged by considerable number of tourists. While other beaches in the state have nearby tourist locations that contribute to the beach traffic, this spectacular beach draws visitors solely on its own charm. Known for tranquil surroundings, open views and cool breeze, the beach is a great getaway for tourist looking forward to quality quiet time. Many visitors who enjoy the annual beach festival displaying the local culture, plan their visit to coincide with the same.
Maravanthe Beach, Karnataka: A small piece of land, less than 30 feet at its narrowest separates the sweet water river and the saltwater sea in a remarkable creation of nature. River Sowparnika flows gently on one side and the sea roars on the other with only the National Highway passing in between. Twenty-four groynes (rock walls), jutting out into the sea to prevent sea erosion, provide a great platform to observe the rough seas from up close. A pleasant boat ride in the river meandering around small islands is an experience to cherish. Located 50 kms from the temple town of Udupi, this unique location attracts visitors throughout the year.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala: Three beautiful crescent shaped beaches combine to form 17 km long Kovalam beach. Known for palm groves and temples, this beach is the most visited place for the enchanting view of the ocean it offers. The clean sand along with the shallow waters are ideal for a relaxing vacation. Facilities like swimming pools, Ayurvedic massage centres, health resorts, cottages, yoga centres, shopping centres, among others are set up to cater to the inflow of substantial number of tourists. The long beach even has secluded spots for those preferring a quiet time. Kovalam is only beach in India that gives a complete experience a tourist is looking for.
Baga Beach, Goa: For wholesome nonstop entertainment, fun and frolic, Baga beach is the place. The sea shore is a carnival every day and the ambience in the beach is such that it takes no time for the people to get into the mood, enjoy the moment and soak in the atmosphere. Located in North Goa, the beach is thronged by enormous number of visitors from abroad as well. The music, the water sports activities, the food and the great natural settings of the location with hills on one end and the Baga river gently flowing into the sea makes up for a great vacation.
Kanyakumari Beach, Tamil Nadu: This beach is the southernmost tip of Bharat and offers a splendid view of the horizon into the Indian Ocean. It is only spot in India from where both the sunset and sunrise can be viewed. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar statue both erected on two separate rocks jutting out of the sea off the coast are the two landmarks of the beach. A short boat ride takes visitors to these 2 must visit places. There are other beaches too around the city as the city is located at a point famously called ‘Land’s End.’
Mandarmani Beach, West Bengal: This beach is located about 170 kms away from Kolkata in the East Medinipur district. Mandarmani beach is famous for being the longest drive-in beach in the country, at 13 kms in length. With its natural settings, the beach provides one of the best sunrise views. The clean beach has enough temptations to roll over in the sand and the waves. Sea bathing, sunbathing and long walks along with water sports are the activities that the visitors would enjoy here without much of an interference as the long beach has enough space for everyone.
