India’s coast is decked with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From endless stretches of golden sand to palm-fringed coves, India offers the visitor the ideal beach holiday. Both well known resorts, such as Goa, Kovalam, and several intriguing lesser-known beaches are listed below. Hotel facilities and accommodation are also indicated.

Major Beaches

Goa: Calangute, Baga Beach, Colva Beach. Five star hotels with private beaches: Fort Aguada Beach resort, Oberoi Bogmalo beach and Cidade de Goa.
Reasonably priced hotels, Tourist Cottages, Tourist Resort and Youth Hostels. Majorda Beach Resort.

Bombay Juhu Beach Resort. Five star hotel complex, including beach cottages, Halcyon Castle, Kovalam Palace Hotel. Hotel Samudra, Kerala Tourism Development Corp. (Reasonably priced).

Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort. Five-Star-Hotel. Halcyon Castle, Kovalam Palace Hotel. Hotel Samudra (KTDC).

Madras Region Coyelong: Fisherman’s Cove

Mamallapuram (Madras): Shore cottages by the shore temples. Mamallapuram Beach Resort.

Puri: 3 & 4 star hotels Tourist Bungalows, Youth Hostels. Major Hindu pilgrim centre.

Lesser Known Beaches

Note: UT Union Territory.

Gujarat: Tithal, Ubhrat, Hajira, Diu (UT), Daman (UT), Chorwad, Dahan, Dwarka. Cheap hotels, Holidays Home.

Maharashtra Off Bombay, Madh, Marve, Manori. Cheap hotels. Murud Janjira. Holiday Home. Erangal.. Goa: Karwar, Ankola, Gokama, Honnavar, Bhatkal.

Karnataka Ullal (smaller beach resort, Summer Sands, Cottages). Udupi (Hindu pilgrim centre), Mahe, (UT) Mangalore.

Kerala Cannanore, Quilon, Varkala.

Tamil Nadu Kanya Kumari, Tiruchendur, Rameswaram, Karikal (UT), Pondicherry (UT).

Andhra Pradesh Mypad,. Machilipatnam, Manginipundi, Bheemunipatnam.

Orissa Gopalpur on Sea, Oberoi Hotel, Tourist. Bungalows.

West Bengal Digha, Reasonably.