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Thousands of sun-deprived
tourists visit India because it incredibly has the most
diverse varieties of beaches anywhere in the world. Placid
backwaters and lagoons, bays and rough lava-rocked seas,
marine estuaries with fish, crashing surf, powdery golden
sand or palm fringed shores - India has them all.
The West Coast with the Arabian
Sea and the East Coast with the Bay of Bengal offer many a
verdant vistas to the traveller.
The coasts of India have
their own seafood cuisine, relaxing spas, diving and water
sports and great places to stay for a balmy holiday.
Kovalam undoubtedly is one of India's best sea
resorts. The long coastline lined with swaying coconut palm
trees dotted with an occasional fishing hamlet is fast
developing into one of the world's finest string of beaches.
The sea applauds the beach temple in Mahabalipuram,
gloriously silhouetted against the spectrum of the seven
colours in the sky.
Puri, on the East Coast,
is surely one of the world's most picturesque beaches. And
then there is Digha, a
three-hour drive out of Kolkata, a beautiful beach, splendid
in its isolation.
The beach holiday to beat them all is in the Isles of
Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshwadeep, where you can see the
myriad colours of the flashy fish in the coral reefs from
above the green waters.
Now fully developed as an international beach resort, Goa
offers the best holiday villages on its beaches. Everything
about Goa is spellbinding from the landscape dotted with
Portuguese architecture, to the way of life that exudes an
irresistible Old World charm.
Anjuna or Calangute Beach,
and Miramar Bay in Panjim are quieter. Beach vendors
sell all manner of kitsch in Anjuna and Calangute.
You can rent beach mats and
mattresses, sunglasses, and the usual tourist paraphernalia.
You can even get all sorts of spaghetti, German bread and
Italian food.
The beach at Calangute is rocky.
At Anjuna the waters are
gentle and offer opportunities for boat rides, sea scooter
rides, spot-the-dolphins rides, and motorboat rides.
Colva and Benaulim are quieter
and less crowded than Anjuna.
The Fort Aguada beach offers
gorgeous views that merit a visit.
Sinquerim and Candolim are also
quiet beaches that afford anonymity.
Whether it's the isolated horizons of the Konkan Coast or
the Arabian Sea; the golden sands or the water drenched
seashores, every beach in India makes a picture perfect
holiday destination. |
