With 7500 kilometres of coastline to explore, good beaches in India
aren’t hard to come by. From the party sands of Goa to the bustle of
Marine Drive in Mumbai, here are some of the best beaches in India.
Chakratirth Beach, Gujarat
The larger Chakratirth Beach, overlooked by a high bound,
is a little to the west, just outside the city walls. In many ways this
is the most attractive beach and usually deserted, making it the best
option for an undisturbed swim, especially for female travellers.
Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai
Situated at the top of Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach is a
Mumbai institution. On evenings and weekends, Mumbaikars gather here in
large numbers – not to swim (the sea is foul) but to wander, sit on the
sand, munch kulfi and bhel puri, get their ears cleaned and gaze across the bay while the kids ride a pony or rusty Ferris wheel.
Chowpatty beach, Mumbai
Anjuna Beach, North Goa
The vibe is much nicer at the south end of Anjuna Beach as
opposed to the north, where a pretty and more sheltered cove
accommodates a mostly twenty-something tourist crowd. A constant trance
soundtrack thumps from the shacks behind it cranking up to become proper
parties after dark, when bars Curlie’s and neighbouring Shiva Valley
take turns to max their sound systems, hosting international DJs through
the season. Chai ladies and food stallholders sit in wait on the sands,
just like for the raves of old, but the party generally grinds to a
halt at 10pm sharp.
Morjim, North Goa
Morjim beach itself is dramatic and well worth a walk,
especially in the early morning, when you’ll see teams of fishermen
hauling giant hand nets from the surf. The spit at its southern end,
opposite Chapora Fort, is also a great birding hotspot.
Mandrem, North Goa
From the far side of the creek bounding the edge of Ashwem,
a magnificent and largely empty beach stretches north towards Arambol –
the last unspoilt stretch of the north Goan coast. Olive Ridley marine
turtles nest on the quietest patches, and you’re more than likely to
catch a glimpse of one of the white-bellied fish eagles that live in the
casuarina trees – their last stronghold in the north of Goa.
Arambol, North Goa
Arambol, North Goa
Arambol’s main drag is a winding road lined cheek-by-jowl
with clothes and bedspread stalls, travel agents, internet cafes and
souvenir shops selling tourist knick-knacks. The lane bends downhill to
the main beach – dotted with wooden outriggers and one of the most
picturesque in south India. The best view of it is from the crucifix and
small Parasurama shrine on the hilltop to the north, when is an
especially serene spot at sunset. After dark, when the Hula-Hoopers,
fire juggles and bhajan singers have turned homewards, the candles and
fairy lights of the shacks illuminate the beachfront to magical effect.
Palolem, South Goa
With the gradual spread of package tourism down the coast,
Palolem, a ninety-minute drive south of Margao along the main highway,
is Gao’s most happening beach, attracting droves of sun seekers from
November through March. Set against a backdrop of forest-cloaked hills,
its bay is spectacular, though the crowds can feel overwhelming in the
high season.
Marine Parade, Odisha
In the west end of town, along Marine Parade, the
atmosphere is more akin to a British Victorian holiday resort. This
stretch is very much the domain of the domestic tourist industry and the
beach is much cleaner here. It’s a pleasant place to stroll and becomes
highly animated after sunset when the nightly souvenir market gets
going. Local fishermen patrol the beach as lifeguards; recognisable by
their triangular straw hats and dhotis, they wade with their
punters into the surf and literally hold their hands to keep them on
their feet – the undertow claims victims every year, so weak swimmers
should be careful.
Gopalpur-On-Sea, Southern Odisha
Having once been a lively place, today, the only time
you’re likely to encounter much action is during festivals and holidays,
when the village is temporarily inundated with Bengali holiday-makers.
For the rest of the year, its desultory collection of seafront hotels
stands idle, left to the odd backpacker and armies of industrious
fishermen (katias) hauling in hand nets on Gopalpur’’s endless coast to
unwind and enjoy the warm sea breezes, this is an appealing a place as
any. Sunbathing on the beach will quickly make you the centre of
attention, but its uncrowded sands, punctuated by coconut groves, sleepy
lagoons and tiny creeks, makes a good setting for a rejuvenating walk.
The Marina, Chennai
One of the longest city beaches in the world, the Marina
(Kamaraj Salai) stretches five kilometres from the harbour at the
southeastern corner of George Town to near San Thome Cathedral. Today
the beach itself is a sociable stretch, people by idle paddlers,
picnickers and pony-riders; every afternoon crowds gather around the
beach market. Although, its location, just a little downstream from the
port, which belches out waste and smelly fumes, combined with its
function as the toilet for the fishing community, detract somewhat from
its natural beauty.
Benaulim, South Goa
An ideal first place if you’ve just arrived in the region
is Benaulim, six kilometres west of the state’s second city, Margao. The
most traveller-friendly resort in the area, Benaulim stands slap in the
middle of a spectacular 25km stretch of pure white sand. Although
increasingly carved up by Mumbai timeshare companies, low-cost
accommodation here is plentiful and of a consistently high standard.
Benaulim, South Goa
Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam
The largest and most developed cove at Kovalam, known for
obvious reasons as Lighthouse Beach, is where most foreign tourists
congregate. Lined by a paved esplanade, its seafront of shops and hotels
extend along the full length of the bay, overlooked by the eponymous
lighthouse at the southern end. You can scale the 142 spiral steps and
twelve ladder rungs to the observation platform for a fine view.
Kovalam Beach, Kovalam
Kovalam beach, the third of the coves, is dominated from on
high by the angular chalets of the five-star Leela Kempinski.
Coach-loads of excited Keralan day-trippers descend here on weekends,
but at other it times offers a peaceful alternative to the beach further
south.
Papa Nashini, Varkala
Known in Malayalam as Papa Nashini (“sin-destroyer”),
Varkala’s beautiful white-sand beach has long been associated with
ancestor worship. Devotees come here after praying at the ancient
Janardhana Swamy Temple on the hill to the south, then perform mortuary
rituals on the beach, directed by specialist pujaris (priests).
The best time to watch the rites is in the early morning, just after
sunrise. And note that it’s best to keep your camera in your bag.
Varkala beach, Kerala
Papanasam Beach, Varkala
Backed by sheer red laterite cliffs, Varkala’s coastline is
imposingly scenic and the beach relatively relaxing – although its
religious assocations do ensure that attitudes to public nudity
(especially female) are less liberal than other coastal resorts in
India. Western sun-worshippers are supposed to keep to the northern end
(away from the main puja area reserved for the funeral rites) where they
are serviced by a nonstop parade of local “hallo-pineapple-coconut?”
vendors. Sea otters can also occasionally be spotted playing on the
cliffs by the sea.
Cherai Beach, Kochi, Kerala
The closest beach to Kochi
worth the effort of getting to is Cherai, 25km north on Vypeen Island. A
3km strip of golden sand and thumping surf, it’s sandwiched on a narrow
strip of land between the sea and a very pretty backwater area of
glassy lagoons. Chunky granite sea defences prevent the waves from
engulfing the ribbon of fishing villages that subsist along this strip.
Nowhere, however, is the sand more than a few metres wide at high tide,
and the undertow can get quite strong. Even so, Cherai is gaining in
popularity each year, and a row of small resorts and guesthouses has
sprung up to accommodate the trickle of mainly foreign travellers who
find their way up here from Fort Cochin.
Benaulim, South Goa
Ullal, Mangalore
If you’re looking to escape the city for a few hours, then
head out to the village of Ullal, where a long sandy beach stretches for
kilometres, backed by wispy fir trees. It’s a deservedly popular place
for a stroll, particularly in the evening when Mangaloreans come out to
watch the sunset, but a strong undertow makes swimming difficult, and at
times unsafe. You might be better off using the pool at the Summer
Sands Beach Resort, immediately behind the beach.
Kudlee Beach, Karnataka
This wonderful 1km-long sweep of golden-white sand sheltered by a
pair of steep-sided promontories is now punctuated by around fifteen
restaurants-cum-hut ventures and one proper hotel. This is the longest
and broadest of Gokarna’s beaches, and with decent surf too, though the
water can be dangerous.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét
Thanks. See us more at http://www.viptourasia.com