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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.
Top 10 beaches of India
1) Calangute Beach
Between the beaches of Baga and Candolim lies the 4 mile long Queen of Beaches, Calangute. This idyllic fishing village with its beautiful coconut tree lined, pristine beach was said to have been discovered in the 1960's by the hippies. It paved the way for the many European tourists who come flocking to this place. Now the foreigners have moved further away, and the Indian tourists have taken over Calangute, making it by far the most visited beach in
Calangute is famous for its water sports like water scooters, para-sailing and banana boats. Also enjoy the delicious seafood feast all along the beach and the local wines, feni and beer. In the evenings hit the bars, and for some wild nightlife check-out the beaches of Anjuna and Baga.
2) Anjuna Beach
The
The sea at Anjuna is particularly safe for bathing, while the soft white sands are great for sun bathing, a favourite activity of the sun-starved European tourists. At the north of Anjuna, is its famous flea market, where everything from Kashmiri handicrafts, to Gujarati and Rajasthani clothes, bags and jewellery is available in plenty. Bargaining is the key talent required here to get away with good deals. The market is also famous for its electronic items and imported second-hand travel gear of all sorts. The flea market is held on Wednesdays and sometimes on Saturdays. Anjuna is also lined with hoards of small cafes and bars open till late night during season time. Fresh seafood, international and Goan cuisine, beer, and locally made port wine and feni is served here.
Anjuna is also famous for its all-night full-moon parties and mainly attracts youthful tourists. It has earned a reputation of being a hot spot for hippies due to a free flow of drugs and trance music. Now-a-days, campfires are a distinctive feature all through the night and the party carries on till the early morning. A popular party place at Anjuna is the Paradiso club that faces the sea.
3) Kovalam Beach
The crescent-shaped
Azure waters and pleasant climate make Kovalam a great spot for swimming and sun-bathing. The natural bay offers some safe zones for swimming, kayaking, surfing and skiing. Surf boards and body boards can be hired on the beach. You can also hire a boat from the local fishermen for a bit if angling. The coast at many places is lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs which you can explore by snorkelling.
There are several ayurvedic massage and rejuvenation centres in and around the beach. At the waterfront, you can shop for local handicrafts and jewellery besides gorging upon the delectable seafood at the local restaurants. Fusion, Lonely Planet, Coconut Grove and Rock Cafe on the
4) Baga Beach
Baga is in the state of Goa, on the west coast of India. To many people Baga is an extension of the adjoining town of Calangute and nobody seems to be sure where one ends and the other begins. Calangute (and the area around it, Sinquerim, Baga, Candolim) in the northern section of central Goa is where tourism all started for Goa. From the late Sixties, this was the spot where the flower-children descended.
Baga's attraction is in it's world famous beach. Interesting sights to visit close by include Portuguese forts at Aguada and Chapora. The world famous Anjuna beach flea market is great for a spot of haggling.
5) Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is the most famous beach in Mumbai city. It is situated on the shores of Arabian Sea in Juhu suburb.
There are three main entrances to the beach. One is from the Vile Parle side, another is from the Santacruz side and the third one is from the Andheri side.
Many tourists make it a point to visit the beach when they come to Mumbai, as it is a relatively uncrowded free space in the city, although it does get crowded in the evenings and weekends.
It is famous for its Mumbai street food, notably bhelpuri, pani puri, chaats, and of course pav bhaji. Due to the nature of the food stands hygiene standards are often low. On the southern end of Juhu beach there are many luxury hotels and apartments.
At the north end of Juhu Beach there is a place called Gandhi Gram. When Mahatma Gandhi used to practice in the Bombay high court in the late 1800s and early 1900s, he used to live there. He mentions in his autobiography that he used to walk to Bandra station from far-flung Juhu to catch an empty train to south Mumbai. Even today, a lot of people do the same, but now the mode of transport is either a BEST bus or an auto rickshaw. During the summer vacations, children often go and play games such as Cricket, football , Basketball at the Juhu Beach.
6) Varkala Beach
The quiet and secluded
7) Andaman and Nicobar Island Beaches
There are a lot of beautiful beaches in Andaman and Nicobar island .The beaches here have a lot to offer as the Xanadu here is awesome with the coconut trees presenting the ultimate picturesque. One of the most famous beach here is the havelock beach.
8) Lakshwadeep Island beaches
Lakshadweep is an archipelago located 200-400 km west of the coast of Kerala in the
9) Marina Beach
The Marina Beach is a beach situated along a 12 km shoreline in the city of Chennai, India along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. Unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai on the west coast of India, the Marina is primarily sandy.
10) Gokarna Beach
Attractions are the four beaches, located on the south of Gokarna - Kudle, Om, Half Moon and
