Beaches of India

Beaches of Western Coast

GOA
If you are looking for dazzling coastline, an ideal sea bathing and basking in the sun kissed and drenched beach, seducting atmosphere for relaxing, swimming, then the drop of Golden sun on the west coast of India i. e. GOA is a perfect choice. Goa has a 120 kms long coastline, by the turquoise Arabian sea. Wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with the giant states of Maharashtra and Karnataka engulfing it on three sides.   Calangute, Baga ( North Goa)Anjuna (North GoaVagator (North GoaArambol Beach( North GoaCandolim BeachColva & Benaulim (South GoaPalolem Calangute is the most popular holiday resort in Goa Though it attracts a crowd of tourists, it has a good beach – no` rocks, good swimming and a particularly good beach shack about 300m from the main step. The main road, inland, runs parallel to the beach with several streets off it giving access to the sea. Baga is the north end of Calangute beach with clean white sand. The N end of Baga is best. An attractive estuary can be waded at the low tide, the walk round the headland leading to Anjuna beach. Early risers may see fishermen returning with their catch. Bicycles can be hired at many places in Calangute and Baga at a very nominal cost. Location : 16 Km from Panaji South of Vagator beach, Anjuna is one of Goa’s most popular beaches, though the headland is rather too rocky for comfortable swimming. The Wednesday flea market is huge and very popular. Full moon, when the parties take place, is a particularly good time to be here 18 Km from Panaji.

Vagator is attractive little bay between rocky headland with a small series of small beaches to the S with shady palms. It is quiet and laid back, though can sometimes get crowded with tourists. The beach is particularly attractive in the early morning, but the sea is not always safe for swimming. Chapora Fort is on a hill at the end, only a short walk away. The fort is fairly well preserved and worth a visit; the views from its ramparts are excellent. Location : 22 Km from Panaji.

Arambol A unique beach in the north Goa, is both rocky and sandy and much sought after. It has a sweet water pond right on the shore that’s very pleasant to lie about in. You can give yourself a mudbath with the mud that lines the bottom of this pool, said to be very good for the skin; and there’s a hot spring nearby. The seashore is beautiful and the village quiet and friendly, with just a few hundred locals, mostly fishing people. Location : 50 Km from Panaji.

Candolim Beach is one of most frequented and popular beach of Northern Goa. The beach starts at the footsteps of the highly acclaimed Fort Aguada, built by the Portuguese in 1612.This sandy stretch runs into Calangute Beach, a busy and commercialized center. The Candolim Beach itself is long and straight, backed by scrub-covered dunes, which is very popular with package tourists. This beach is quite peaceful than other beaches of Goa as it is a dispersed village with no real center. Location: 15 Kms from Panjim in the Bardez taluka   Comparing to its surrounding beaches, Candolim is very quite, this is due to the fact that they didn't built resort all around the beach. It's a subtle mixture of people taking break from the Rajneesh Ashram in Pune, Tourist for long and short term period, and nature lover's. For the moment the village remains little more than a ribbon development of small hotels and cafes. Getting There: Take a scooter from Calangute, only 5 minute ride, Buses to and from Panjim stop every twenty minutes at the stand opposite the Casa sea shell. Facilities : Quincy corner: Nice place in Candolim, where you can listen to ambient music in a delightful decor of palm tree and coconuts, very away from the road, and people Many nice sharks in Candolim from Bistro sun and sea-side to pete's cafe. the oceanic, sea-side, mama cecilia are nice and away from the crowd If you want to listen to reaggae music try Pedro shack's, just down the Goan heritage hotel, sometimes they make nice parties also there.

Colva & Benaulim  is located on the golden shores of the Arabian Sea in south Goa. Among the best beaches, Colva is Goa’s longest beach with 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed and sun drenched. While taking a stroll on the Colva Beach, silver carpets of bangdde can be viewed shimmering on the golden sands for drying. Fishermen’s motor trawlers can be seen anchored in a line offshore. Location : 39 km away from Panaji Palolem It is one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa and relatively deserted, with backdrop of Western ghats. 37 km from Margao. A palm-fringed, largely deserted and secluded beach, Nagoa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in India. Just twenty minutes refreshing drive from Diu will bring you to Nagoa Beach which with a stretch of about 2 Km from one end to another is exceptionally beautiful .The unique shoe-shape of the beach makes it all the more beautiful. A swim in the water of this unspoilt virgin beach is most refreshing. Getting There : Diu Airport is in operation. Flights are operated from Bombay regularly. Nearest railhead is Veraval, about 80 km from Diu.

Devka is a beautiful and unspoilt beach with a long shore-line situated in the northern part of Daman. There is also a popular amusement park on the beach with multicolored fountains. Situated in the southern part of Daman near the Gujarat border, Jampore is the right place for a quiet holiday.
The broad and even beach line complemented by the undisturbed solitude and serenity makes Jampore a paradise for the sea-lovers. The shore is most suited for swimming as it is danger free. The department of Tourism has provided sun-shades, picnic platforms and benches near the beach. Getting there : Just 168 km from Bombay by rail-road and about 193 km by the national highway.
Close by the sea, with an option to entertaining oneself lazing on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports facilities.

Ahmedpur-Mandvi is one of the finest beaches of the country. A picturesque and popular resort here promises a fascinating experience of living on the seashore. Getting There: The nearest airport is Keshod, 145 km which in turn is connected with Bombay. Delwada railway station, (9km) 298 km from Ahmedabad Just 5 km from Mangalore, Ullal is a lovely spot for those seeking holiday by the sea. With its picturesque casuarina groves, beach cottages and a swimming pool one can spend tranquil hours seeking peace in this paradise. Suratkal a little beyond Mangalore is an excellent beach with a wide shore to stroll on. 15 Km from Mangalore. Malpe is famed for its silvery beaches that offer breathtaking views of the sea. An idyllic resort for boating, fishing and bathing the town lies 10 km off Udupi and Manipal and around 386 km from Bangalore. Udupi is at a distance of 60 km from Mangalore. Mangalore is well connected with regular flights from Bangalore and Bombay and road distance from Bangalore is 365 Km (8 Hrs). Just 12 Km from Trivandrum, Kovalam is the most popular in southern India. An uncluttered beach of silvery sands fringed with rows upon rows of tall palms, a sheltered bay, a wide choice of water sports; Kovalam is about the perfect place for a seaside holiday. There are four main stretches of beach, each about 400m long, with a rocky promontory, on which stands the Ashoka Beach Resort, dividing them into North and South sections.

Kannyakumari, the southern most tip of Indian peninsula, is the spot where three seas- the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea meet. It is perhaps the only place in India, where a sunset and moonrise occur simultaneously over the sea on the night of full moon. Location : 88 kms (1.5 Hrs) from Trivandrum. Vattakottai lies 6 km from Kanniyakumari. The sea being generally calm here, one can have an enjoyable bath. It is also good picnic spot.

Kappad is a small beach near Calicut. The importance of Kappad is because of Vasco-De-Gama’s arrived at this place.This is the historic beach where Vasco - de - Gama landed on the 27^th of May, 1498, A.D. with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded, pleasant beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. The nearest place of attraction is Calicut which is one of the major cities of Kerela. Calicut was a leading trading centre of spices on the West Coast of India during the Medieval period. Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty, Calicut found a place in World History with the discovery of sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco-De-Gama. The landing of Gama at Kappad near Calicut changed the political scenario of India, which ultimately ended with it’s colonization by the British. It remained under the Madras presidency till the formation of Kerela in 1956 after Independence.