If you are visiting India, you may be tempted to do many of the normal things every tourist does. You may be inclined to visit the Taj Mahal and take a trip to the Himalayas, you may check out the capital of India, New Delhi, and eat street food in Mumbai. Despite all this, if you wish to deviate from the normal touristy path that so many visitors follow, you may want to check out India's beaches. India is surrounded by water on three sides and has beautiful beaches and coastlines, and here are the ten best beaches in India.
10 Varkala
Located in the state of Kerala, Varkala is a peaceful beach getaway for tourists who just cannot handle any more of the hustle and bustle of this incredibly busy country. Varkala beach is about 45 minutes north of Kerala's capital, Trivandrum and is a peaceful, quiet beach compared to Kovalam in Kerala.
RELATED: 10 Mistakes All Rookies Make Their First Time In India
This beach has a paved stretch of cliffs bordered by shacks to the left and the sea on the right, a view that cannot be battled or rivaled anywhere else in the world. Visitors of Varkala beach can rest at this beach and explore yoga and ayurvedic practices.
9 Gokarna
Due to its large coastline, Western India is the most popular tourist destination. One state, in particular, Goa, has thousands of beaches and attracts millions of tourists each year, but if you are looking for a beach that has a Goa vibe to it without the crowds, explore Gokarna beach in Karnataka. Gokarna is a small town that is very religious and holy and is situated in southern India. This town draws attention from pious pilgrims as well as regular tourists and is a secluded spot in the middle of nowhere. If you are looking for quiet, visit Gokarna beach.
8 Palolem
If you are looking for a picturesque beach that will make for great photographs, pay a trip to Palolem beach in the western state of Goa. Palolem is enclosed by a thick forest that consists of coconut palm trees and this scenery make this one of the most scenic beaches in the world. The pictures which a visit to this beach will produce will definitely spruce up your walls, make your Instagram feed lively, and make friends and family jealous. This beach is arranged in a semi-circle and will be preserved forever as permanent structures are not permitted by law.
7 Tarkarli
Next on this list is Tarkarli Beach in the state of Maharashtra. This beach is an excellent alternative to the popular Radhanagar Beach in the Andaman and Nicobar islands that will be described in detail below, but the Tarkarli beach contains similar sites and attractions which draw tourists to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Tarkarli beach features an incredible coral reef and in fact boasts one of the largest ones on the Indian coast. One great thing about Tarkarli beach is that it is relatively unknown to foreigners and is bound to be occupied by a handful of locals.
6 Agonda
Next, we have the Agonda Beach situated in Agonda, Goa. Agonda Beach is in south Goa and is a perfect getaway for those who want to get away from the city and just chill out. Visitors to Agonda can stay in a hut that is situated right on the beach and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore.
RELATED: 10 Hidden Destinations In India That Every Tourist Should Visit
During the day, tourists can lay in the sun with the warm sand beneath them and enjoy the serenity of the world around them. Shacks and shops are also on the beach that sell food and drink.
5 Arambol
Arambol is the perfect destination for the traveler who wants to get into the spirit and also for musicians. What used to once be a relatively unknown fishing village, Arambol has turned into a trendy tourist attraction which has begun to attract large numbers of people from all around the world. This beach is perfect for travelers and musicians as there is live music every night and jam sessions are frequently held on the beach. Tourists can also experience yoga lessons, meditation by the sea, practice tai chi and more. Tourists looking for quiet can also walk to Mandrem Beach.
4 Anjuna
If you are a college student backpacking cross India, a hippy, or a party person, you simply have to visit Anjuna. Along with the incredible beaches, this Goan city is also known for its party community and is frequently inhabited by Indian hipsters. On Tuesday nights and Thursday nights, the most popular shacks by the beach hold killer parties and a beach club by the name of Club Paradiso is split into three levels and provides a boatload of fun. In addition to the party scene, Anjuna also has cheap hostels for the backpacker or the traveler on a budget.
3 Baga
Baga beach is located in northern Goa and is steered to attract people who either like to party, like to go on adrenaline-surging adventures or people who enjoy both. Baga is best known for the intense water sports it offers to its visitors such as parasailing and more. Baga Beach also has fancy, high-end restaurants, bars, clubs, and shacks that ensure the beach is always packed with people looking for a good time. Although it is an incredible tourist destination, these days Baga only attracts a primarily Indian crowd as young college kids go out looking for parties and fun.
2 Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach was mentioned briefly in this article, and here it is. Located off the coast of India, Radhanagar Beach is located in the Andaman Nicobar Islands, which are a group of 500 or so relatively unknown islands that are located in the Bay of Bengal. On one of these islands, Havelock Island, is Radhanagar Beach. Tourists to this beach can enjoy the serenity of the location as it is relatively unknown and does not attract crowds, and tourists can also engage in fun activities such as scuba diving. Radhanagar beach features one of the best-preserved coral reefs in India.
1 Kovalam
Last but not least is Kovalam Beach. Kovalam is situated in the state of Kerala and is the state's most popular and commercialized beach. Located near the capital, Trivandrum, Kovalam has a suburban vibe to it and the beach is made up of two coves, Hawa and Lighthouse. The biggest of the two is Lighthouse, which is the most developed section of town and has a good collection of restaurants and hotels. Visitors can also go to the top of the lighthouse which offers a spectacular view of the town and the ocean. Kovalam is also a great surfing beach.