#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>>

#Ashvem #Beach located in #North #Goa#India

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. 

Ashwem Beach is one of the most peaceful and least developed beaches in Goa and the sea is so warm you can walk straight in. From morning to late evening there are some excellent restaurants and cafés right nearby, including the truly excellent La Plage, which is 5 minutes walk from our beach gate. Here you can unwind in comfort and watch the local fishermen bring home their catch against a backdrop of beautiful sunsets.

MANDREM & SURROUNDS

Ashwem is part of the Mandrem area, comprised of several bustling, friendly, little villages. We have drivers available at all times to take guests wherever they wish to go; Anjuna, famed for its market, is 20 minutes away, and the thriving city of Mapusa is half an hour’s drive. Bike hire is also recommended and gives you the chance totrundle round the back lanes of Mandrem, see the incredible banyan tree, take in the temples and vivid colours and pause for fresh coconut water by the side of the paddy fields.

A 40-minute walk along the beach (or a 5 minute drive) will bring you to the backpacker and 60s hippy enclave of Arambol. Here you can enjoy shopping for all kinds of trinkets and gifts, clothing and jewellery. Arambol has a large selection of restaurants and bars including Fellini’s – for cheap but excellent pizza – and Double Dutch, which serves great homemade cakes. Arambol also plays host to many market stalls (great for souvenirs) as well as barbers shops and beauty salons, tattooists and healers of every kind.

How To Get There

The beach is located in the Pernem sub district of North Goa. Nearby beaches are Kerim, Arambol and Morjim, the area around Ashwem offers many beautiful landscapes, beaches and sights.

To get to Ashwem, follow the road to Pernem, turn left about 500 mts after the Chopdem Village Panchayat. Follow this road for about 2 kms and take another left, follow this road and it should lead you straight to the beach.

The Restaurants

Ashwem has quite a few restaurants along the roads that lead up to the beach. These range from Italian to Continental and everything in between. It isn’t just known for its posh food but also the food available in shacks. Shacks in Ashvem prepare some of the tastiest meals you’ve ever eaten, it cannot however be compared to a restaurant as they are two completely different experiences.

The Scenery

Ashvem has a beautiful scenery known for its rocks all around it carved by the shellfish. The view that the beach provides is one of the most beautiful sights ever seen. Ashwem isn’t very crowded which only adds to it beauty that would’ve been ruined amidst a large audience.

The Beach

The beach was known for having large groups of turtles coming up to the shores to lay their eggs. Tourists and foreigners would travel many miles to witness this sight. However this is currently on a decline due to pollution and other environmental hazards that are detrimental to their well being.

Things to do at Ashvem 

Take a bus or a taxi to the town Mapusa to see a real Indian market with food, clothes, spices etc. Walk along the beach for about 1-1½ hours up to Arambol Beach to watch the busy old hippie town and walk around the rocks to the little secluded beach. Try out the more upmarket restaurants La Plage and Gaia for some nice Indian and European meals.

For a completely different Goan experience, consider going into the forest for birdwatching with Backwoods. Backwoods is located close to the border with the neighbouring state Karnataka about a 2 hours drive from the city of Margaon. The friendly guys at Backwoods will arrange to pick you up right on the beach where you stay and take you by car to their beautiful camp in the forest. You should however have a minimum interest in bird watching to benefit from the 3 or 4 nights stay that they offer.

Hotels in Ashwem

It may be difficult to find a place to stay during the tourist season since there are a few hotels in Ashwem, you can rent out guest rooms from local residences.There are a number of places to stay on the quiet part of the beach referred to as ”Palm Grove” including Rococco, Meem's, Yab Yum, Babu Huts, and Yogagypsys. Rococco is an upmarket place that does not look like it's worth the money but then again I didn't see it from the inside. Meem's is a nice place with good food and friendly staff and standard bamboo huts including bathroom. The place I would recommend would definitely be Yogagypsys which has spacious huts, tippees and houses built into the rocks. It has excellent yoga classes morning and afternoon and serves a healthy and yummy breakfast. It does not have it's own restaurant but you can order from the Pagan Café next door. There are other hotels there too like Bens Inn Guest House, Aquatica, Casa Ashvem, Yoga Gypsys, Bed Rock Beach Huts and many others.

Restaurants in Ashwem

There are a few restaurants in Ashwen since the area isn’t that well known. A restaurant you should definitely visit in Ashwem would be the La Plage. There is also the hotel club at Ashvem, Bardo if you are looking for a mix of luxury, ease, revelry and traditional Goa magic.

Cafes and Beach Shacks in Ashwem

Ashwem has some of the best food and hangout spots Goa has to offer. The food here can be eaten in shacks on the beach or under umbrellas made of coconut leaves. Since Ashwem is a remote and isolated beach, the sea shore has few beach shacks.

Clubs and Bars in Ashwem

There aren’t many clubs in Ashvem but there are obviously a few, one would be Club Bardo, located exactly at Ashvem, this place has everything. A restaurant and a separate clubbing area. The best months to visit Goa would be December to February.