You talk about a beach vacation, and the first spot that comes to your mind is the Maldives…or Goa. But now, it’s time to explore beaches beyond Goa and international destinations like the Maldives and Seychelles. So, if you are ready to pack your bags and head to the beach, these six destinations in India will give you as good an experience as the Maldives or any other international beach destinations.

1. Gokarna, Karnataka

What Anjuna was over a decade ago, Gokarna is now. The town, which is about a three-hour drive from South Goa, has beaches that exude chilled-out hippie vibes against spectacular beach views. Brimming with backpackers, it offers a low-key beach holiday without the over-the-top partying culture of Goa.

The most popular beaches are Om Beach and Kudle Beach. Situated on a stretch of several kilometres, with twists to resemble the symbol ‘Om’, this beach has gorgeous coves and is perfect for swimming. Resorts and yoga camps line the Kudle Beach. You can take a boat or trek from Om Beach to reach a small cove called Half Moon Bay. The attractive secluded beach is perfect for a quiet evening, with occasional dips in the beautiful blue water. Another trekking path from Om Beach (or a boat ride) can lead to Paradise Beach, which will take you to spots of total isolation. If crowds are not your thing, skip the Gokarna beach.

To enjoy cheap, good food, we suggest Prema Restaurant at Gokarna Beach. If you are looking for chill vibes, head to Namaste Cafe at Om Beach. And if good seafood and curry are on your agenda, Dolphin Bay at Om Beach is the perfect choice.

2. Tarkarli Beach, Maharashtra

Wide beach, clear water and a view of the 17th-century Sindhudurg Fort make Tarkarli one of the best beach destinations in India. It is around three hours north of Goa by road. You can also enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving which are offered by the Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports.

Tarkarli is also home to serene backwaters and bustling villages. It doesn’t offer any fancy accommodation, but staying in traditional Konkani huts can be a unique experience. Don’t forget to try Konkani cuisine at any restaurant near the beach.

3. Varkala Beach, Kerala

Perhaps one of the most picturesque beaches in Kerala, Varkala offers stunning sunsets from the top of cliffs flanking the beautiful stretch of sand. Take a dip in the local mineral springs, which are said to be medicinal and can remove skin impurities. Located about 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala village is home to a 2000-year-old Vishnu temple, the Janardanaswamy Temple, situated on the cliff overlooking the sea. It is the perfect beach destination apart from the Maldives that you can enjoy on a lower budget.

While this may not be the quietest beach, it is long enough for you to find your cosy, calm spots to watch the dramatic sunset uninterrupted. When hungry, grab a bite at Lhasa Restaurant and enjoy coffee and dessert at the German Bakery.

4. Chandipur Beach, Odisha

We bet you would not have seen tides as dramatic as the ones here. This relatively unexplored beach has tides receding almost five kilometres out to sea. No wonder it is called Odisha’s ‘Hide and Seek beach’, as you can see the sea disappear and magically appear again. While you can enjoy the beautiful tree-lined beach and gorgeous sunset colours, you can also explore the surrounding historic towns of Puri and Konark.

It has good 3-star hotels around. If you want something fancy, this isn’t the place for you, but if you are ready for some exploration, you’ll have a great time here.

5. Madhavpur Beach, Gujarat

If alcohol is not a mandatory companion for your beach vacay, head to Gujarat for one of the most gorgeous beaches on the western coastline. Located about 60 kilometres from Porbandar, Madhavpur Beach is a stunning stretch lined with coconut trees running along the pristine blue waters. The beach is also part of the conservation project of Green Sea and Olive Ridley Turtles, so plan your visit around the best time to spot them. There is only one drawback – swimming in the sea isn’t possible due to safety concerns.

The town itself offers architectural sites like the beautiful Madhavraiji Haveli Temple. The beach town also has 12th-century ruins of a Shiva temple.

Madhavpur Ghed and Porbander are good options to stay in if you plan to visit this beach.

6. Agatti Beach, Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands and comprises 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands off the coast of Kerala. The name means ‘a hundred thousand islands’ in Malayalam and Sanskrit. While Lakshadweep has a lot of islands you can visit, one of the best ones is Agatti Beach. Situated 459 km west of the city of Kochi, Agatti Beach is famed for sea turtles and beautiful corals. The white sand beach is lined with coconut plantations. If you are an adventure enthusiast, Agatti would be the perfect destination as you can try sailing, scuba diving, angling, and swimming here. The thing to remember though is that unlike most tourist places, you would need a special permit to visit and stay at Agatti Island.

Agatti Beach is the only island on Lakshadweep with an airport; hence, it is a gateway for high-end tourists. While there aren’t a lot of stay options on the island, resorts like Agatti Island Beach Resort offer a great stay as do a few private homestays. Once you hit Lakshadweep, you’ll forget all about international beach destinations like the Maldives.

However, if you still want to head to the Maldives, well, we can’t stop you, but let 2024 be the year you #ExploreIndianIslands.

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