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Thousands of sun-deprived
tourists visit India because it incredibly has the most diverse
varieties of beaches anywhere in the world. Placid backwaters and
lagoons, bays and rough lava-rocked seas, marine estuaries with
fish, crashing surf, powdery golden sand or palm fringed shores -
Incredible India has them all.
The West Coast with the Arabian Sea and the East Coast with the
Bay of Bengal offer many a verdant vistas to the traveller. The
coasts of India have their own seafood cuisine, relaxing spas,
diving and water sports and great places to stay for a balmy
holiday.
 Kovalam undoubtedly is one of India's best sea resorts. The long
coastline lined with swaying coconut palm trees dotted with an
occasional fishing hamlet is fast developing into one of the
world's finest string of beaches. The sea applauds the beach
temple in Mahabalipuram, gloriously silhouetted against the
spectrum of the seven colours in the sky. Puri, on the East Coast,
is surely one of the world's most picturesque beaches. And then
there is Digha, a three-hour drive out of Kolkata, a beautiful
beach, splendid in its isolation.
The beach holiday to beat them all is in the Isles of Andaman and
Nicobar and Lakshwadeep, where you can see the myriad colours of
the flashy fish in the coral reefs from above the green waters.
Now fully developed as an international beach resort, Goa offers
the best holiday villages on its beaches. Everything about Goa is
spellbinding from the landscape dotted with Portuguese
architecture, to the way of life that exudes an irresistible Old
World charm. Anjuna or Calangute Beach, and Miramar Bay in Panjim
are quieter. Beach vendors sell all manner of kitsch in Anjuna and
Calangute. You can rent beach mats and mattresses, sunglasses, and
the usual tourist paraphernalia. You can even get all sorts of
spaghetti, German bread and Italian food. The beach at Calangute
is rocky. At Anjuna the waters are gentle and offer opportunities
for boat rides, sea scooter rides, spot-the-dolphins rides, and
motorboat rides. Colva and Benaulim are quieter and less crowded
than Anjuna. The Fort Aguada beach offers gorgeous views that
merit a visit. Sinquerim and Candolim are also quiet beaches that
afford anonymity.
Whether it's the isolated horizons of the Konkan Coast or the
Arabian Sea; the golden sands or the water drenched seashores,
every beach in India makes a picture perfect holiday destination.
Beaches by state have been classified below and brief
descriptions are provided.
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