Tourism in India |
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BEACH TOURS IN INDIA
India has some of the most beautiful beaches of the world spread across its vast coast line. Some of the famous beaches in India include:Goa:
Calangute16 Kms from Panaji. is the most popular holiday resort in Goa and known as The Queen of Beaches. Excellent accommodation facilities are available, particularly at the tourist resort and cottages. Calangute lie on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa in India. It is encircled by Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao and Candolim, in the Bardez taluka.
Colva Beach
About 6 kms from Margao. Colva beach is the pride of Salcete and the only rival to Calangute by its scenic splendour. Here, sand, sea and sky blend in enchanting natural harmony unspoilt by men. Has good accommodation facilities, particularly at the tourist cottages.
Dona Paula
7kms from Panaji. An idyllic picturesque spot. Command a fine view of the Zuari river and Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities are available here.
Miramar
Miramar (Caspar Dias) is 3 kms from Panaji. A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji.
AnjunaAnjuna, 18 kms from Panaji is a popular beach area adjacent to Chapora fort- it was the haunt of the flower generation in the sixties - and is still popular with the younger generation. In Anjuna there is magnificent Albuquerque mansion built in 1920, flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled-roof.
Vagator
Vagator is 22 kms from Panaji. It is a popular beach dominated by Chapora Fort to the north, on its imposing head land and popularly known as 'The Sun Kissing Beach'. To the south of vagator is Calangute beach.
Arambol Beach
Arambol is along the Goa border with its fresh water lagoon. Due to its isolation, some tourists has been unable to reach this beach.It is the 16-km-long sea beach. The main beach has adequate body surfing and there are several attractive bays a short walk to the north.
Agonda
Agonda is about 37 kms. from Margao.It is a small, picturesque and secluded beach much sought after for its serenity.
Palolem
Palolem is Goa's one of the most beautiful and idyllic beach and it has 1.5 km crescent shaped beach. The beach lies on the southern coastline of Goa amidst outstanding natural beauty.The sweeping crescent of white sand is fringed by a shady rim of coconut palms and the whole beach is hemmed in at either end by rocky crags.
Kerala:
Thiruvananthapuram
DistrictThe southernmost district of the State, Thiruvananthapuram is bounded by the wooded highlands of the Western Ghats on the east and northeast, and the Arabian Sea on the west.
The main backwater areas of Thiruvananthapuram are Thiruvallam and Veli.
Kollam District
Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international trading point in day gone by.
Ernakulam District (Kochi / Cochin)
More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake.
The Lakshdweep Island
Malappura District
Kozhikode District
Unexplored, unspoiled, the backwaters of Kozhikode hold great promises of enchanting holiday options. Elathur, the Canolly Canal and the Kallai river are favourite haunts for boating. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam is fast becoming a popular water sport destination.
Kasaragod District
The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasaragod is situated on the seacoast with the Western Ghats on its east and northern borders.
Backwater trips on the Chandragiri river at Valiyaparamba are fascinating experiences.
Maharashtra:
Marve, Manori, Gorai
Marve, the closest and the quietest are a lovely little fishing village. It has some beautiful bungalows owned by Mumbai's elite for weekend gateways.
A fifteen-minute ferry ride from marve or Borivali takes you to Gorai and Manori.
Bassein
Bassein used to be a place for ship-building in the beginning of the seventeenth century . it was here that the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739.
About an hour by bus from Bassein station are the Vajreshwari temple and Akloli hot springs.
Dahanu Bordi
Dahanu, a quite seaside town with a sprawling, uncluttered beach, is situated in Thane district. The Dahanu-Bordi stretch is 17 kms. This once-barren land thrived under Irani settlers, an earthy people. Dahanu is lined with fruit orchards and is famous for its chickoos.
Murud - Janjira
Formerly the capital town of the Siddis of Janjira, Murud is today popular for its alluring beach, whispering casuarinas, coconut and betel palms, and an ancient fort.
Mandwa - Kihim
Twelve miles north of Alibag on the north coast and easily accessible from Mumbai, Mandwa is a beautiful, untrodden beach.
Shriwardhan - Harihareshwar
Gentle winds, soft sands and inviting waters make Shriwardhan Bay irresistible to beach lovers.
And if one relishes sea-food, there is no dearth of delicacies to sample here.
Velneshwar
North of the Shastri river lies the idyllic village of Velneshwar.
The quite, coconut-fringed beach offers the visitor the ideal opportunity for swimming or just relaxing.
GanpatipuleThis is Ganapatiphule Land of the 400- year old Swayambhu ganapati and eager tourists. Set along the western coast of maharastra, is a small little village called Ganapatiphule. It is known for it's scerene sedate beach. Unlike most beaches which are spoilt by tourist traffic, the Ganapatiphule beach is as natural and pristine as ever. Even today, the waters are blue and the sands, white.
Vengurla - Malvan
Further south lies Vengurla with its long stretch of white sands, and hills covered with cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves.
The town has two well - known temples : the Shri Devi Sateri temple and the Rameshwar Mandir.
Vijaydurg- Sindhudurg
Vijaydurg or Fort Victor was strengthened around the seventeenth century by Shivaji, to whom it owes its finest features - the triple line of walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior buildings.
Orissa:
Gopalpur-on-SeaAnother popular beach resort is Gopalpur-on-Sea, 170 km from Bhubaneshwar, and 15 km from Berhampur. This is a perfect beach, fairly isolated, and undisturbed by day-trippers. This place is good for both sailing and surfing.
Chandipur
Another divine beach resort of Orissa, Chandipur is situated 16 kms away from Balasore. It is a unique beach in that that the sea water recedes about 5 kms during low tide and advances to the shore line again during high tide, each day.
Tamilnadu:
Pulicat
BeachesA saline shallow water spread formed by the confluence of Backwaters, Pullcat Lake and Buckingham Canal situated on the northern end of Tamil Nadu is an ideal picnic spot. A catamaran ride on the shallow water spread and a visit to Bird Sanctuary are two most leisure activities to be undertaken here. A Dutch cemetery of 17th century is located on shore.
Chennai Beaches
It is bestowed with a 4.5 Kms. long stretch of Beach, the second longest in the World, called the Marina Beach. Horse riding, an Aquarium, a large swimming pool are the relaxation facilities available here.
Dakhinachitra Beaches
This is a new venture to show South Indian heritage. Take a look at the completed first phase of Tamilian heritage. This complex houses good collections of various materials of arts and crafts of the State. It is less than a Km away from the Muttukkadu Backwaters.
Muttukkadu Beaches
A Backwater and estuary, Muttukkadu is ideal for rides on motorised boats or for wind surfing. Hire a pedal boat or a row boat for cruising leisurely. Muttukkadu is ideally suited for anglingal and fishing. Get set for a good catch. TTDC's runs Boat Services and a Cafeteria. It is 36 Kms. from Chennai.
Covelong Beaches
40 Kms away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai, Covelong is a salubrious village. But it is brisk with fishing activities. The sea and the surf here are gentle. Snuggle in for a cosy sunbath.
Themeparks Beaches
Along the East Coast road between Chennai and Mamallapuram, several amusement parks, enthrall children and adults alike. Some of them are V.G.P., M.G.M. and Littlefolks.
Mammallapuram Beaches
58 Kms from Chennai, Once a port and the second capital of the Pallava Dynasty, Mamallapuram flourished during 7- 8th centuries. The monuments of Pallava, the proto type of the Dravidian Temple Architecture, lure every visitor to this town. The monuments, scooped out of natural rocks are of monolithic type. Mamallapuram has been declared by United Nations as one of the world Heritage centres.
Sadurangapatinam Beaches
This is another fishing village, 16 Kms south of Mamallapuram. A ruined fort of Dutch origin near the beach houses tomb stones dating back to 16-17th century. If you are heading further down south, 75 kms away from Pondicherry you will reach Pichavaram. Mangrove forests could be seen with backwaters criss crossing the entire forest area.
Poompuhar Beaches
Yet another beach resort created in memory of erstwhile "Kaveripoompattinam", a legendary Port city, washed away by the sea. The present complex was designed on the basis of the information available in the Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram'.
Tharangambadi Beaches
Another Sea side village, where the Danish merchants settled for trade. What they left are the Legacies of the Danes. A beautiful Governor's Palace right on the beach tells you the hoary past. Another ideal shore for sun and tan your skin.
Nagore Beaches
Although religious centre for muslims, the Durga of Hazarat meeras sultan syed shahabdul hameed popularly known as Hazarat mian is visited by people of all faiths. It is 6 Kms from Nagappattinam.
Velankanni Beaches
The most popular pilgrim centre for Catholic Christians of Tamil Nadu Velankanni houses, the Church of our Lady of Health. This shrine is also visited by people of all faiths. The nearest Hotel Tamil Nadu unit - 14 Kms- is at Nagapattinam.
Kodikkarai Beaches
Also called Point Calimere, the Wild Life Sanctuary here spreads 333.3 Sq Kms with 25 Kms of tropical dry evergreen forests. It is bounded by Bay of Bengal on the East and Palk Straits on the South. It is situated South ofVelankanni.
Rameswaram Beaches
An island off the mainland surrounded by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar connected by the longest ever constructed bridge on sea in India. It is a pilgrim centre.
Mandapam Beaches
Mandapam is the main land linking the Island of Rameswaram. It is the Gateway to many small islands. It is bestowed with a quite beach for sun and surf.
Kurusadai Islands Beaches
This is an ecological paradise situated off Mandapam. It is notable for coral reefs and rare species of marine lives such as Dolphins. Permission from the Fisheries Department in Chennai is necessary to visit the Islands.
Tuticorin Beaches
A Port city and an Industrial town. Tuticorin is one of the major ports of Tamil Nadu. Pearl Harvesting is an important activity here.
Triuchendur Beaches
One of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, a Saivite God, Tiruchendur is a very popular pilgrim centre. The temple is situated right on the beach adding glory to the beach.
Kanniyakumari Beaches
The India's Land's end KanyaKuman or Cape Comorin is unique in being surrounded by three s that is Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian S Hence the confluence is called 'Thriveni Sangamam". Here one can get a breath-taking view of the Sun Shine and Sun Set at their best. The multi coloured sand yet another unique feature of the Beach here.
Vattakotai Beaches
The circular serene for is situated 6 kms from Kanniyakumari, overlooking the sea. It is a fine picnic spot, with abundant coconut trees. The sea near here is calm and it is an ideal spot for relaxing.
