Rushikonda Beach: A Guide to the Jewel of Vizag

Are you looking for a perfect beach destination in India? Do you want to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, along with some adventure and culture? If yes, then you should head to Rushikonda Beach in Vizag, one of the most popular and beautiful attractions in Andhra Pradesh. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Rushikonda Beach, including its location, history, natural beauty, water sports, nearby attractions, hotels, tips, and best time to visit. Read on to discover why Rushikonda Beach is the jewel of Vizag and how you can make the most of your trip there.

Photo of Rishikonda Beach 1/1 by — (C) Wikipedia

Location and History of Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach is located about 20 km from the city center of Visakhapatnam, the largest city and the financial capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is easily accessible by road, rail, and air, as Vizag has a well-developed transport network. The name Rushikonda means "hill of the sages" in Telugu, the local language. According to legend, the beach was once a place where Hindu sages performed penance and meditation. The beach is also known for its association with the Buddhist heritage of Andhra Pradesh, as it is close to the ancient Buddhist sites of Thotlakonda and Bavikonda. Rushikonda Beach is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors, as it offers a serene and scenic environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Natural Beauty and Water Sports at Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, as it boasts of golden sand, clear blue water, lush green hills, and rocky formations. The beach is surrounded by a thick forest of palm trees, which adds to its charm and tranquility. The beach is also a hotspot for water sports, such as surfing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and banana boat riding. You can rent the equipment and get the guidance from the local operators, who charge reasonable rates. The beach is ideal for both beginners and experts, as it has varying waves and currents. You can also enjoy the spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset from the beach, and capture some amazing photos.

Nearby Attractions and Things to Do at Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach is not only a place to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, but also a base to explore the other attractions and activities in and around Vizag. Here are some of the nearby places and things to do that you should not miss:

- Thotlakonda and Bavikonda: These are two ancient Buddhist sites, located on the hills near Rushikonda Beach. They date back to the 3rd century BC, and contain the remnants of stupas, chaityas, viharas, and other structures. They also offer panoramic views of the sea and the city. You can learn more about the history and culture of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh, and admire the architecture and art of these sites.

- Kailasagiri: This is a hilltop park, located about 10 km from Rushikonda Beach. It is one of the most popular attractions in Vizag, as it offers a variety of recreational and entertainment facilities, such as a ropeway, a toy train, a children's play area, a musical fountain, and a giant statue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. You can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and the sea from the park, and visit the various gardens and sculptures.

- Simhachalam Temple: This is a famous Hindu temple, located about 15 km from Rushikonda Beach. It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its unique architecture and art, which combines the styles of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The temple is also famous for its ritual of covering the idol of Lord Narasimha with sandalwood paste, which is removed only once a year, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

- Submarine Museum: This is a unique museum, located about 18 km from Rushikonda Beach. It is housed in a decommissioned submarine, named INS Kurusura, which served in the Indian Navy for 31 years. The museum showcases the life and work of the submariners, and displays the various parts and equipment of the submarine. You can also enter the submarine and experience the thrill of being inside a real warship.

Hotels and Accommodation at Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach has a range of hotels and accommodation options to suit the needs and preferences of different travelers. Whether you are looking for a luxury resort, a budget hotel, or a homestay, you can find the perfect place to stay at Rushikonda Beach. Here are some of the categories and examples of the hotels and accommodation options at Rushikonda Beach:

- Luxury Resorts: If you want to indulge in the ultimate comfort and luxury, you can choose from the several resorts that are located on or near Rushikonda Beach. These resorts offer spacious rooms, modern amenities, swimming pools, spas, restaurants, bars, and other facilities. Some of the popular resorts are The Park, Novotel, and Haritha Beach Resort.

- Budget Hotels: If you are looking for a more affordable and convenient option, you can opt for the budget hotels that are located close to Rushikonda Beach. These hotels offer basic facilities, such as clean rooms, attached bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and TV. Some of the popular budget hotels are Sai Priya Beach Resort, Rishikonda Beach Resort, and Dolphin Hotel.

- Homestays: If you want to experience the local culture and hospitality, you can stay at one of the homestays that are available near Rushikonda Beach. These homestays offer cozy rooms, home-cooked food, and friendly hosts. Some of the popular homestays are Sea View Homestay, Hill View Homestay, and Beach View Homestay.

Tips and Best Time to Visit Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, but there are some things that you should keep in mind to make your trip more enjoyable and safe. Here are some tips and suggestions for visiting Rushikonda Beach:

- The best time to visit Rushikonda Beach is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and the sea is calm. You can avoid the summer heat and the monsoon rains, and enjoy the beach activities and attractions.

- The best time to visit the beach during the day is in the morning or evening, when the sun is not too harsh and the crowd is less. You can also witness the beautiful sunrise and sunset from the beach, and take some stunning photos.

- The best time to visit the beach during the night is on the weekends, when the beach is lit up and lively. You can enjoy the night life and the music at the beach, and mingle with the locals and tourists.

- You should always follow the safety rules and regulations at the beach, such as wearing a life jacket, listening to the lifeguards, and avoiding swimming in the deep or rough waters. You should also be careful of the rocks and the marine life at the beach, and avoid stepping on them or touching them.

- You should always respect the environment and the culture at the beach, such as keeping the beach clean, disposing of the waste properly, and dressing appropriately. You should also respect the privacy and the sentiments of the locals and the other visitors at the beach, and avoid any unwanted or offensive behavior.

Conclusion

Rushikonda Beach is one of the best places to visit in Vizag, as it offers a variety of experiences and attractions for all kinds of travelers. You can enjoy the natural beauty and the water sports at the beach, explore the nearby attractions and activities, stay at the hotels and accommodation options, and follow the tips and suggestions for visiting the beach. Rushikonda Beach is a place that will leave you with unforgettable memories and impressions, and make you want to come back again and again.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Rushikonda Beach today, and experience the jewel of Vizag for yourself.

Rishikonda Beach Reviews

The 'Clicking' Nomads

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As we walked down the beach, we suddenly noticed a glimmering heap far away on the road, shining & reflecting the hot summer sun, looking quite like a three dimensional mirage. As we moved closer, to our surprise, the mirage turned into a pile of possibly the world’s shiniest fish. The number of heaps kept increasing, as the air got thicker with the stench ofNethallu, possibly the tiniest fish in the world. Nethalluis a salt water fish that is dried all along the beach, washed off its mud & then crispy fried post marination with imli, masala & a disproportionately high dose of chilli paste. I smelt spice again & the mouth watered just at the mention of it – tamarind made me gulp & masala, salivate! Continuing on our trail & yearning for some authentic Andhraite coastal cuisine this time, we reachedDakshin– the restaurant of theDasapallaHotel. Despite being more famous for its thalis, we decided to concentrate only on non-vegetarian delicacies. All that we could read on the menu card were the protein headers & the list of preparations under each, looked completely Hebrew to us. We relied on the steward’s judgement & asked for the most authentic crab & mutton curries along with roti. May be an appam would have worked wonderfully well, but was promptly told off by the waiter as appam was a Keralite delicacy & we wouldn’t dare ask for it at an Andhraite restaurant! Please pardon – for Bengalis the world is divided only into two sections, Bengalis & Non-Bengalis & there can be no other classification beyond that!! From the look of it, it was difficult to spot thePeethala Iguru(crab masala) from theMamsam Sukka Varuval(mutton pepper fry), both dishes looking frightfully red – however, the taste explained it all – the only common factor across the two dishes being the fiery spice from freshly crushed pepper & the generous amount of curry leaves. Sniffing our way through, we licked off the last pieces, totally content & proud with our ability to successfully endure another round of spice. Looking like Jim Carrey from The Mask, with our tongues rolling out from the immense heat, we drove to Kailash Giri, praying that the fresh air at the mountain top would help extinguish the steam that was blazing out of ours ears. A doddering cable car takes you all the way up to a park that has huge statues of Shiv-Parvati erected at one end & a tiny toy train doing the rounds of the mountain at the other. We were just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset & watch the bright orange sky turn into a dark violet against the panoramic view of the Vizag city. When in Romedo as the Romans, but when in Vizag, do try the Andhraite version of the Chinese chilly chicken. No points for guessing where it stands on the spice scale – firstly the name itself has a ‘chilly’ in it & then it’s the Andhraite take on it. A few diced chicken pieces deep fried & then sautéed in a paste of red chilly with chopped green chillies on top (not to forget the curry leaves of course!), something that goes just perfectly with red wine or sangria. Sipping sangria on the beaches of Vizag, at the beach restaurant of Park Hotel (Bamboo Bay), we watched a Parkikrama show as we celebrated our 5 years of being the perfect partners – in life & travel. When you walk down RK beach, you don’t expect to see cafes lined along the beach, like a Goa– however there was one such ‘Chocolate Room’ that did make an attempt to serve a wide range of chocolate inspired shakes, desserts & other snacks while over-looking the beach as the waves smashed across the sand onto the Dolphin Nose. Slightly derailed from the spice trail, this place was a welcome relief with their delicious & sinful milkshakes, which are easier to have with a spoon than a straw! Meanwhile, in the old town of Vizag, it was a relaxed Sunday with the port taking a break from the weak long activities as the kids sang hymns far away at RossHill Church, a Greek inspired church overlooking the city. Serenity, peace & tranquil engulfed this area with the quaint little blue & white church atop the hill, standing as a protector of the Vizag port. The only part of the city that was buzzing with activity was the fish market along the port. Fish of all sizes, shapes, colours to choose from. Hold your breath if you want to walk through & negotiate hard to get a deal for the fresh catch of the day!

Ravindra Vasireddy

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I took all the fun of waves and i felt its time i need to say bye. I shake handed with the kids and i tied my luggage on my bike. I changed my costume(i put on my jeans and gear) and started my journey to Rajamundry. I put the maps to Rajamundry and it routed up with vizag port. I really didn't had a chance to take a look when i was on the flyover as there are big walls constructed. I took the bypass and reached the highway. Turned off my gps and it was 1 pm i officially left from vizag. I headed on the AH45 and i was recollecting my memories while travelling. I enjoyed the Godavari district views while riding(the crop, the river, the villages and people). I stopped for my lunch at Payakaraopet and it was around 4 pm. I ordered again for usual meal(don't want to take risk at this time as journey is getting ended). I loved it as it was the best meal i had. They served me on Banana leaf with enough varieties(rice,curry, fry, dal, pickle, sambar, rasam, curd) and the taste is so good that i consumed as much as i can :p. I really ate over there lot and it was a normal good looking hotel. They charged me 70 rs and i really felt its more worth of the amount. Its a 45 mins break and i started to Rajumundry. I planned my halts/ break times after i started from Payakraopet as i need to reach Rajamundry before sun light drops off. So i took only two breaks while riding. I reached Rajamundry by 5.30 pm and all of a sudden i started hearing crazy sound in my rear tyre of my bike. I felt like something went bad and when i checked the mudguard of the tyre is touching the tyre as it had a bent. I recollected and i remember that this happened due to the incident happened in the morning when iam heading vizag from Araku. There was a speed breaker on the road and i saw that all of a sudden when i approached nearer. I was on a good speed but due to the disk in my front tyre i can slow down immediately. But there was a biker coming next to me with good speed he cannot do the same as his bike has drum breaks. He bumped me from the back and there was a situation where my number plate mudguard bent into my tyre. I took that and made it straight but i forgot to check keenly as iam on middle of road. It was the tyre mudguard that bent at the time and it got burnt and tore due to the speed i rode my bike. Luckily i was in Rajumundry and i found a mechanic and asked him to repair it. He said its better to remove that as its not so useful and completely damaged. He removed it and kept it as a memory of mine(he didnt charged anything actually). I reached the railway station as i really felt the hotel was good that i stayed while iam coming. I went and asked for the room but he said the single bed is not available. He said he had a room and it costs 750 rs. I asked him for 600 but he didn't agreed as the actual price is 1000 rs. I convinced him finally for 700 rs and i checked in.

𝔑𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔫 𝔎𝔲𝔪𝔞𝔯 𝔓𝔯𝔞𝔧𝔞𝔭𝔞𝔱𝔦

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The Rishikonda Beach also known as Rushikonda Beach is a stunning shore located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Vishakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. APTDC, which is in charge of this natural beauty, has done a great job in the upkeep of the beach and ensured that this natural attraction remains unspoilt. The Rishikonda Beach is thus rightly named as the 'Jewel of the East Coast', owing to its essential and intact beauty. The serene golden sands of the beach are located in the bosom of the Rishikonda hill. Located in the midst of frothy blue sea and emerald greenery, the scenery that this beach boasts of is indeed mesmerising and breathtaking. This place is a favourite among water sports lovers because of the range of activities that are offered here. If you are in the mood for an adrenaline rush, you can indulge in the water sports that are offered here. The Rushikonda Beach is one of the few beaches that offers swimming under expert supervision, so do not forget to take a quick dip in the water. However, the beach's natural charms are one of the main reasons for its immense popularity among local as well as foreign tourists. The Rishikonda Beach is an ideal destination for a peaceful weekend getaway and is located just 8 kilometres away from the port of Vishakhapatnam, making the place very accessible. Water Sports at Rishikonda Beach The beach is a paradise for water sports lovers, and this destination has a wide array of water sports to offer. You can invoke your inner mermaid and go for a soothing swim in the Bay of Bengal, or indulge in some enjoyable old boating. You can also try your hand at water surfing, speed boating on a motorboat and jet skiing, all of which are fun-filled and thrilling activities. The beach is also considered to be a haven for windsurfers too. Other activities offered here Scuba diving, Snorkel and Sea Kayak. Things To Do at Rishikonda Beach The Rushikonda Beach is one of the few beaches that boasts of unpolluted and natural beauty, and hence tourists prefer to visit this beach over others to enjoy a peaceful day with their loved ones. The greenery, clear blue waters and golden sands of the beach never fail to attract tourists from all across the country. Sports lovers can indulge in the myriad of sports that are offered here, while food lovers can gorge on the lip-smacking food that is served here. Do not forget to sip on to the fresh coconut water and bhuutas (corn) that are easily found here. The beach also has an enclosure or an artificial bay that has been created by a breakwater, to be used for recreational swimming. You can also ride ropeway to the Kailashgiri hilltop and then enjoy a toy train ride to view the beautiful city of Vizag. The Submarine museum located nearby is a bonus. The Rishikonda Beach also houses the Iskcon Temple, where tourists go to pray and seek the blessings of the Almighty.

The 'Clicking' Nomads

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Rushikondais the other beach in Vizag, the more touristy one, what with a few resorts built around it. Slightly away from the city, this will remind you of Calangutein Goa. Having a rather uncharacteristic calm & unruffled morning on our spice trail, it was time to try some street food at the Rushikonda beach & I took the liberty of ordering a bhelpuri. What I didn’t remember was that I was getting a bhelpuri done in Vizag & not anywhere else. And before I realized, a generous spoonful of green chutney was thrown into the newspaper bowl & was being mixed like there was no tomorrow. Along with it went in some chopped green chillies & a sprinkle of red chilly powder, to make sure I remember Vizag for ever & ever…Amen! Post a few large gulps of water, we proceeded towards the airport with an increased endurance to heat, a strong immunity towards anything that spelt spice & a definite willingness to be back in Vizag soon to savour on its ever tasty coastal delicacies that would be so bland & pointless without its characteristic spice & curry leaves that keep you longing for more. Bring it on guys! The ‘Clicking’ Nomads 10 travelling tips [if !supportLists]1.[endif]Vizag is a great stop for a weekend, you don’t need much time to enjoy the city, but you need many meals to enjoy its lip smacking cuisine. [if !supportLists]2.[endif]Its the perfect place for coastal food fanatics – so travel with an empty stomach & a streak of adventure to experiment with seafood of all types. [if !supportLists]3.[endif]All those who run away from the word spice, beware! This location is not really meant for you. [if !supportLists]4.[endif] Ramakrishna beachhas more options for hotels, than Rushikonda beach & is at the heart of the city – a better place to stay. [if !supportLists]5.[endif]For those who like Calangute in Goa & a crowd, Rushikonda is for you. [if !supportLists]6.[endif]While you may choose to do everything touristy, do visit the fish market along the port – just to get a feel of the lifeline of the city. [if !supportLists]7.[endif]Auto is a great mode of travel – as we say in Hindi…’sasta, sundar, tikao‘ & very comfortable. And if you’re the sort who travels by car, then just ‘Ola’ it – very reliable & well connected! [if !supportLists]8.[endif]Do reserve a meal for the Bamboo Bay at The Park, just off the beach. Its a great pub to enjoy some good music, delicious food & high spirits. [if !supportLists]9.[endif]The chilly chicken is a must try – you may forget everything else in Vizag, but you cannot come back not trying this. [if !supportLists]10.[endif]Lastly, when you visit Vizag, make sure you carry with yourself shades, sunscreen, a great appetite, a desire to experiment & lots of courage to make the most of the sun, the sand, the coasts, the smiles & but of course, a whole lot of SPICE!

Nitin Kapoor

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Day 2: We started as early as 5am in the morning from our hotel and headed straight to another beach known as the Rushikonda beach which was some 10kms from our hotel. It was such a beautiful beach, surrounded by natural rocks and green plants. It has crystal clear waters, less crowded and was quite clean as compared to the city beach (Rama Krishna beach). Such a pleasant weather and feeling the morning fresh breeze, spent sometime relaxing on the rocks and enjoying the fierce sea waves. Rushikonda beach is known for its water sports activities like kayaking, speed boating and scuba diving. Though scuba diving was not available that day, so we tried speed boating on a motorboat. It was a nice first time experience. We missed out the kayaking due to time constraints as we wanted to cover other places as well. Wish we had more time to visit this beach again. We enjoyed street side maggi on the beach (there were quite a lot of maggi stalls out there, reason being the locals make the maggi mixing the Andhra spices), which was quite spicy and lip smacking, one which you will always remember.