12 best beaches of India with something different to offer

Querim, Goa

If you are looking for some quiet, Querim is probably the beach you would opt for. Though it is in Goa, it lacks the party culture or the water sports crowd that you otherwise find on the beaches of Goa. Querim is located at the northernmost point of Goa, just near the Maharashtra border. This beach is not happening at all. But it’s the best place to do some yoga or meditation early in the morning, or maybe just take a stroll in the calm waters in the evening. It is located about 30 kilometres away from Mapusa and 9 kilometres from Arambol.

Chandipur, Odisha

The sea disappears here. This beach on the eastern coast of the Indian peninsula, has an interesting fact about it. Generally, when we think of beaches, we think large waves and strong tides. But Chandipur is exactly opposite. The inhabitants say that they seldom get to see waves, and when they do appear, they are never higher than a foot. At low tide, the water recedes as far as five kilometres into the sea – so much so, that you will feel the water has disappeared. You can play as much as you want on the beach, collect shells and chase the crabs without the danger of being carried away by the water. It is located in the northern part of Odisha, about a five hour drive from Bhubaneshwar.

Muzhappilangad, Kerala

This beach has the longest driveway! The sand here is harder than other beaches. That along with the flat and vast expanse of land makes a nice beach for long drives on the sand. It is sometimes referred to as the longest Drive-In beach of Asia. Along with that, there are also a lot of options of water sports like paragliding and parasailing. It is located near Kannur in North Kerala.

Radhanagar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Radhanagar beach is situated on the Havelock Island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. Known for its white sand and serene waters, it is yet not so much explored and a pretty much untouched by tourists. Having earned the title of Asia’s best beach by Time magazine, it is maybe the most peaceful beach in India. Water sports are banned, so go here only if you want to spend a tranquil time. You can swim in the water definitely, but between 8 am to 4 pm only.

Varkala, Kerala

Known as the Cliff beach of Kerala, Varkala is a major attraction for travellers from around the world. It is a good alternative to the Kovalam beach which has been commercialised in the recent times. The view from the cliff, enjoyed relaxing on the shacks is what stays with you even after you have gone from here. Along with that, a lot of yoga and meditation is available in the surrounding area, which is all the more reason to visit the beautiful beach.

Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu

Once a Danish colony, Tharangambadi was a bustling town used for the trade of pepper during the 16th and 17th century. This has left a tint of Danish influence on the town. There are a couple of places worth seeing apart from enjoying the sea shore, those are the Danish fort, the Danish museum and the Town gate. Pay this small town a visit is you are interested in history and architecture.

Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu

Situated at the tip of the South-eastern end of the peninsula, Dhanushkodi is heaven for someone who loves to drive. You will be amazed to know that there is a patch of about twenty kilometres from Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi with the sea on both the sides of the road. It is an extraordinary experience to drive when waves are hitting the road and water overflowing on the asphalt from both sides! The town has a horrid history of a cyclone being hit in the early 20th century and there are a lot of remains of churches and a railway station earning it the name of ‘Ghost town’.

Nagoa, Diu

Nagoa is known for the Hoka trees all around the shore which are not to be seen anywhere else in India. It were the Portuguese who brought these seeds from Africa and planted them on this island. These trees bear a red edible fruit called Hoka and were considered as sacred by the ancient Egyptians and this is evident from the fact that they were found in many pharaoh’s tombs.

Bangaram, Lakshadweep

Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep is known for a rare and beautiful phenomenon called as bioluminescence. The water here contains different varieties of phytoplankton which give the waves a glowing bright blue colour at night. Coupled with the sky full of stars on a new moon night, and the rhythmic sound of the waves, it is no less than a heavenly feeling to stroll on the beach. You can also go night-kayaking if you want a deeper experience.

Laxmanpur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Laxmnapur beach is one of the beaches on the Neil Island in Andaman. Famous for its unique rock bridge formed naturally by corals, it also offers a good sunset view. You can walk on the corals when the water recedes and enjoy some quiet time as it is not at all commercialised. With white shiny sand and immense biodiversity, this beach is home to more than 4000 varieties of corals and rich underwater life too.

Kaup, Karnataka

One of the best places to enjoy the setting sun on the Arabian Sea is the Kaup beach in Karnataka and the spot to be is the old towering lighthouse on the beach. The beautiful expanse of the greenery adjacent to the sand and the blue vista ahead with the sun burning the sky crimson, it is definitely a scene to watch. There is also a small archipelago of four islands created by lava eruptions called as the St. Mary’s islands and you can pay a short visit to the islands. The town is also known as Kapu, locally.

Velas, Maharashtra

One of the major attractions of the Velas beach is the hatching of the Olive Ridley turtles in February-March. It is a delightful sight to watch the teensy-weensy baby turtles come out of their eggs and take their first steps in this world finding their way to the Arabian Sea. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, or even if you are not, the sheer pleasure to watch them walk with their baby feet wiggling in the sand is enormous.