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10 Offbeat Coastal Towns In India For Your Next Beach Vacation

India.com19 hours ago
Many people love popular beaches but sometimes you want to escape the crowd and find a peaceful spot. India has many hidden coastal towns that are perfect for a relaxing beach vacation with family or friends. Here are ten offbeat beach towns in India you can explore for your next trip.
1. Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna sits on the Arabian Sea and offers quiet beaches where you can sit under palm trees and watch the waves. Om Beach and Kudle Beach are the most famous but you can also find small hidden beaches Gokarna feels simple and spiritual with small temples and local cafes.
2. Varkala, Kerala
Varkala in Kerala brings you clean cliffs that touch the Arabian Sea. You can relax on the beach and see the sunset from the cliff edge. The calm vibe and clean sea make it a perfect place for yoga and small guest houses serve homely food. Varkala is also famous for its natural spring.
3. Diu, Gujarat
Diu is a small coastal town on the west coast with beautiful beaches and Portuguese history. Nagoa Beach is quiet and clean with soft sand. You can see old forts churches and try fresh seafood. Many travelers like Diu for its slow and simple lifestyle.
4. Tarkarli, Maharashtra
Tarkarli is a peaceful beach village in Maharashtra famous for clear blue water and white sand. It is one of the best spots for snorkeling and scuba diving in India. The nearby Sindhudurg Fort also attracts visitors. Stay at local homestays to enjoy Malvani food and village life.
5. Chandipur, Odisha
Chandipur in Odisha is not like any other beach. The sea here disappears during low tide and you can walk into the sea for kilometers. The peaceful beach with casuarina trees and fresh breeze makes it special. You can try local seafood and watch red crabs running on the shore.
6. Mandvi, Gujarat
Mandvi is a calm coastal town in Kutch, Gujarat. The beach is clean and less crowded with windmills adding beauty to the view. You can ride camels on the beach and see the old Vijay Vilas Palace. Stay at eco camps to enjoy peaceful nights by the sea.
7. Mararikulam, Kerala
Mararikulam is a small fishing village near Alleppey, Kerala, with an untouched beach. You can watch fishermen at work and relax under coconut trees. Local resorts offer ayurveda treatments and yoga You can also rent a bicycle and explore the nearby villages.
8. Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameswaram is more famous for temples but it also has beautiful untouched beaches. Ariyaman Beach is quiet with clear water and soft sand. It is perfect for a picnic and sunrise view. You can also see traditional fishing boats and try fresh fish curry made by locals.
9. Bekal, Kerala
Bekal in North Kerala has a beautiful beach and an old fort that faces the sea The fort looks amazing during sunset. You can stay in small beach cottages and enjoy the sound of waves all day.
10. Malpe, Karnataka
Malpe is a quiet beach town near Udupi in Karnataka. Malpe Beach is clean and you can take a boat ride to St Mary Island which has unique rock formations. You can taste local coastal food and see fishermen bring fresh catch to the shore.
Make Your Trip Memorable
These offbeat coastal towns in India bring you peace clean beaches and simple living. Away from the busy crowd you can see how local people live taste fresh seafood and spend time with nature Each town gives a new experience from forts to fishing villages.
Travel Tips For Beach Towns
Carry your own water bottles and healthy snacks because small towns have limited shops. Keep the beaches clean and do not leave waste behind. Try to stay in homestays or eco resorts to support local families. Respect the local people and do not click photos without asking.
Best Time To Visit Coastal Towns
October to March is the best time to visit these beaches. The weather stays pleasant and the sea remains calm so you can swim relax and enjoy outdoor activities.
So next time skip crowded beaches and choose these hidden coastal towns in India for your next beach vacation. Enjoy the calm sea golden sand and warm people who make every trip special Pack your bags and feel the sea breeze waiting for you.
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North Kerala: Through time, taste and tranquility
North Kerala: Through time, taste and tranquility

India Today

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  • India Today

North Kerala: Through time, taste and tranquility

(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 14, 2025)It all begins, as it often does in Kerala, with people around a table, conversation and food. At Hotel Jineesh, a small, bare-bones eatery in Chaliyam, my order arrives on a steel plate filled to the brim and placed on a rough-hewn, wooden table. Three men, already seated, see mid-chat that there's no room elsewhere, and wave us over to settle next to them. I slide my plastic stool forward to this Malabar classic: kallumakkaya—freshly harvested mussels simmering in a light gravy mix of its own juices, coconut slivers and fragrant spices—and a thick slice of pathri, a golden-fried, rice-flour roundel. I dig in as a fresh batch of batter-fried bananas are carried out by a sari-clad woman, whose face brightens into a smile as hungry locals trickle in, eager to start the day If Kerala's south were a monsoon downpour, the north would be its petrichor. 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Air India plane crash: Tragedy spotlights history of migration from Diu
Air India plane crash: Tragedy spotlights history of migration from Diu

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