#Best 10 #Beaches in #India

Time to experience some sun, sand, and sea on the exotic coastlines of India. What is the best thing about beaches? Is it the sweltering sunrays that fall straight on the sea bed, the sparkling sand that covers the entire beach area or the incredibly beautiful sea that cover almost 70 % of the Earth surface? Well, it is a combination of all three of them, which perk up the beauty of beaches in India and make them look naturally appealing. India is gifted with some of the best beaches in the world scattered all over India’s 7500-kilometre long coastline . I’m sorting through the best beaches in our country out of 215 beaches to kick back and relax., here are the Top 11 beaches that will leave you surprised and satisfied with India’s coastal beauty and offer everything from action to solitude, and of course parties.

1. Varkala beach

Blessed with sun kissed beaches, placid lagoons and silvery sands, Kerala is one of the internationally known destinations for beach tourism. Both the northern and the southern parts of Kerala draw tourists with their sun-drenched beaches.Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam beach is a beach in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, along the Arabian Sea, part of the Indian  and ten kilometers away from Varkala, is renowned for the natural spring. It is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. A haven for sun-bathing and swimming, the beach offers picturesque evening views that extend over the Arabian Sea.Lying along the edge of stunning cliffs, Varkala Beach is located an hour’s drive north of Trivandrum in Kerala. The mineral spring that flows from the cliff at the southern end of the beach is believed to have medicinal properties.More>>

2.  Gokarna Beach : Best Secluded Beach:

Gokarna, is a very touristic small town centered around temples with pilgrims coming throughout the year and tourists -indians, russians and europeans - coming from december to february for the beaches. The name Gokarna, means cow's ear (go=cow karna=ear) in Sanskrit and is based on Hindu mythology. It draws both pious pilgrims and hedonistic holiday makers with equal enthusiasm.Gokarna is known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers. It is on what was once an unspoiled beach near the estuary of the river Aghanashini. Recently, due to the number of tourists, the character of the town has changed; it is no longer just a center of pilgrimage, though large numbers of devotees visit to offer prayers and worship to Lord Shiva.More>>  

3. Palolem Best Picturesque Beach:
Palolem is undoubtedly one of Goa’s most postcard-perfect beaches: a gentle curve of palm-fringed sand facing a calm bay.Picturesque Palolem Beach, enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms in far south Goa, is arguably the state's most beautiful beach. This mile long, shady, semi-circle shaped beach continues to grow in popularity every year, and it's become very lively with the diverse crowd that it attracts.The atmosphere is vibrant and there’s plenty to do. Palolem is one of the safest swimming spots in Goa and you can comfortably kayak and paddleboard for hours here More>>   

4. Tarkarli  : Best Beach for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
"Tarkarli in South of Konkan (100 kms from North Goa) is one of the most sought after destination for travellers other than Maharashtra and Goa for the Cuisine, homestays, Idyllic beaches, shore temples and adventure sports / activities (Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Dolphin rides, watersports etc.) Tarkarli village is famous for its Ramnavmi Utsav. Ramnavmi is celebrated every year in Mahapurush Temple of the village. Tarkarli is a small stretch of beach with Devbaug beach to its south and the Sindhudurg sea fort to its north.Tarkarli beach has the finest white sand beach in the entire stretch of Konkan beaches.More>> 

5. Agonda : Best Beach for Doing Nothing

Agonda Beach is a fine 2km stretch of white sand framed between two forested headlands.Agonda is a great spot for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming, with still relatively few tourists. Agonda is a nice long pristine stretch of beach. Though the waters here might not be the most ideal place for swimming (you have better beaches with calm waters in Goa), Agonda is definitely a place for those who want to quit on a Monday morning. Agonda is generally cheaper, quieter, hassle-free and has much less "touristic" feel. Stay in a simple hut right on the beach, and enjoy the stillness and nature. The rear of the beach is lined with shacks and small shops but apart from that, there's not much else to do apart from eat, drink, swim, and chill. More>> 

6. Arambol Beach: Best Beach for Hippies and Musicians

The Arambol Beach located 50 kms from Panaji is a pristine and secluded beach in the North Goa and can be approached by a winding road through the groove of cashew trees. The Arambol Beach extends over 16 km and consists of two beaches, more popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa . The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky circlet and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides. The main beach is long stretch of curving sand is good for swimming. It is a place perfect for people looking for peace and tranquility. The cliffs near the beaches are popular for paragliding and dolphin watching boat trips. More>>

7.  Ashvem : Best Trendy Beach

Ashvem located in North Goa on a virgin strip overlooking the tranquil Arabian Sea, is a feast for the eyes and taste-buds.Ashwem Beach, hidden away in 2 acres of lush palm grove, sheltered by the sand dunes and facing directly west. The beach is a long sandy crescent around the sapphire-blue sea, almost like a picture postcard come to life. Milky surf foaming along golden sands, graceful palm-trees swaying in the breeze. Ashvem is home to the trendiest clubs, hippest shacks and a buzzing nightlife with a fair share of nature’s bounty of dolphins and turtles. Ashvem is an easy drive from the Airport. More>>

8. Baga beach : Best Commercial Beach

The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach .This is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa that begins at Fort Aguada continues as Sinquerim Beach, then as Candolim Beach and merges into Calangute Beach and then to Baga beach and then Anjuna Beach and then to Vagator Beach finally ending at Chapora Beach and Fort.The Baga River flows down from one side offering a pleasant for children and those who love the water but can't risk the rip currents that swirl round the mouth...More>> 

9. Kovalam :  Best Beach with a Lighthouse

Fringed by headlands that rise steeply above the shore, Kovalam is almost completely covered by coconut palms. Of the three small bays separated by rocky outcrops, the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. The lovely old lighthouse that gives the beach its name is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Edakallu, a rocky headland separates Eve’s or Howah Beach from the Lighthouse Beach. The hill that separates Howah Beach from the third of Kovalam’s celebrated beaches houses the Government Guest House and the Halcyon Castle, a palace.

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.More>> 

10. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands :  Best Remote Beach

With snow-white beaches, teal shallows, a coast crammed with beach huts and some of the best diving in South Asia, Havelock has a well-deserved reputation as a backpacker paradise. For many, Havelock is the Andamans, and it’s what lures most tourists across the Bay of Bengal, many of whom are content to stay here for the entirety of their trip Havelock Island (Hindi: हैवलॉक द्वीप, Malayalam: ഹെയ്വ്ലോക് ദ്വീപുകള്‍), with an area of 113.93 km2, is the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie's Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands.More>>

Arambol#Best#Beach#Pananjim#Goa#India

The Arambol Beach located 50 kms from Panaji is a pristine and secluded beach in the North Goa and can be approached by a winding road through the groove of cashew trees. The Arambol Beach extends over 16 km and consists of two beaches, more popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa . The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky circlet and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides. The main beach is long stretch of curving sand is good for swimming. It is a place perfect for people looking for peace and tranquility. The cliffs near the beaches are popular for paragliding and dolphin watching boat trips. .

It is a rocky as well as sandy beach and has a fresh water lagoon which extends along the bottom of the valley into a thick jungle The lake is fed by boiling hot springs and is lined with sulphurous mud which people love applying on their body to do wonders to their skin. Arambol beach attracts travellers from all over the world. Laid-back by day and lively at night, Arambol is the capital of hippie culture in Goa.

The narrow road leading the beach (dubbed "Glastonbury Street") is stuffed full of boutiques selling a bizarre and wonderful array of clothing, musical instruments, gemstones, figurines, art, music, jewellery, lanterns, smoking paraphernalia and anything else that can possibly be shifted to the charas scented crowd that saunter through this Festival That Never Ends.

The narrow lane gives way to the beach, and as the sun begins to set the beach shacks put out their seafood platters as yoga students practice the sun salutation. A herd of cows meander single file along the shore, past fire jugglers and brightly dressed beach traders carrying home their fluttering sarongs. Incense and cooking season the air as the yellow moon rises.Arambol is the kind of place you can easily get stuck in, so keep your plans open as with a few hammocks and a quiet beach on the doorstep of your shack you'll soon gel with an amazing group of people and won't want to leave.

Arambol Beach Highlights

A slow walk along the shore at sunset, observing the people / animals / sea and sky.

Watching musicians play live at Loeki's Cafe, anything from Indian classical music to psychedelic sounds - open mike nights are popular and the place fills up fast.

Hire a scooter for the day to explore the surrounding countryside. It is especially beautiful early in the season when the plants and fields are a million shades of green.

Climb around Arambol's rocky headland to the north of the beach to take a dip in the sweet water lake at Palolem beach (also referred to as Kalacha). If you are feeling adventurous, continue north to the secluded Keri beach.

Pick up silver jewellery, Rajasthani art or party clothes on the narrow market path leading to the sea.

Find Arambol's hidden culinary gems, where you can eat some of the best Western and Indian food in Goa (see Eating below).

How to get there

Air : Goa's international airport, Dabolim, is 29 km from the capital Panaji. Indian Airlines has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai daily. 

Rail : Goa's two main stations are at Margao and Vasco da Gama. Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet and Hyderabad and via Miraj to Bombay, Delhi and Agra. 

Road: Goa is well connected by NH17A with Maharashtra and Karnataka state. There are regular bus services to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hampi and other destinations from the Kadamba bus stand at Panaji. There are buses available frequently from Panjim and Arambol every thirty minutes until noon.

If you are getting around Goa on a scooter as many visitors do, you will need to cross over the Chapora River bridge and then turn right at the T-Junction by the market and huge Banyan tree. Take a sharp left towards the coast and continue along the road towards Mandrem and Arambol. The left turn towards Arambol beach is before the market and petrol pump.

Frequent buses run the 32 km journey between Mapusa and Arambol (every 30 mins or so), just ask a driver at the main bus stand at Mapusa to point you to the right vehicle. A private minibus can be arranged from Panjim, which would shorten the Panjim-Arambol public route. Arambol's bus stop is on the main road, near the left-turn towards the school and St Carmel Church.

Taxis, rickshaws and bike taxis are easy to arrange in Goa, though prices in season can be high, especially for foreign tourists. Try negotiating with your driver, or asking a few people to find the best rate. Expect to pay several hundred rupees for a taxi between Mapusa and Arambol beach, less for a bike taxi or rickshaw. If you arrive at Margao train station, the pre-paid taxi booth is just outside the station. Other travellers may be glad to share the journey, taxis should carry four to five people. 

Eating

Just before you reach the sea on Glastonbury Street, look out for a pizza place called Fellini's. Their delicious wood fired pizzas, or authentic pasta dishes are well worth a taste, and the busy venue is a great place to people-watch.

Relax Inn is one of the many restaurants that open out on to the Arambol beach. These places serve freshly caught sea food, cocktails, Indian dishes and Western fare. If you are choosing fish, look for the freshest catches and try bartering a little on the price. Also on the beach (across the small stream) theGerman Bakery does good, healthy breakfasts and will fill your water bottle with purified water for free.

If you fancy some music while you eat, try Loeki's on a small lane just off Glastonbury Street (to the left if you face the sea). Further down the lane, The Mango Tree is also known for its live music. 

Accommodation

Most of the accommodation is basic, in simple houses in the woods behind the beach. Majority is empty huts but some have fully equipped kitchens and showers. There are restaurants, travel agencies (handling foreign exchange), Internet and other services along the road leading to the northern end of the beach and a few stores in the village. 

Sleeping

Arambol beach caters mainly for long-term budget travellers, so the accommodation is inexpensive and usually fairly basic.

Cock's Town has cheap, basic beach huts on offer right on the beach (south of the small stream). Bathrooms are not attatched, but lockers are available, and you can wake up and jump straight in the sea! Almost all of the sea front restaurants have some kind of accommodation, especially as you head south down the beach.

Tip: If you arrive with friends, try leaving your bags with one of the group and sending someone out to scout for a deal. View a few and negotiate on the price, since you will almost certainly be able to bring down the first offer. Stays of more than a couple of days should work in your favour when bargaining.

Taking a small track left just opposite and beyond the police station (before the main road through the village veers left) you will find several accommodation options where you will get a quieter stay away from the shops and bars. Of these, Ivon's, Ave Maria and God's Gift are definitely worth a try. 

Beside The Sea

Arambol beach merges seamlessly with Mandrem and Ashvem beach to the south. It is possible to walk the north Goa beaches from Keri beach at the northern tip of Goa, to Morjim beach where the wide Chapora river meets the sea. If you decide on this, take a few days, since walking in the heat of the sun is not advisable!

For Kerala's answer to Arambol, have a look at the quieter Varkala beach where a line of boutiques, restaurants and bars cling to a steep, laterite cliff that gives sweeping views of the sea.