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Beaches & Islands in India

From Goa and Kerala to the Andaman and Lakshadweep islands. Seas are rough and many beach businesses close during the monsoon, roughly June to September.

Quick answer

The best beaches & islands in India are Alappuzha Beach, Marina Beach, Promenade Beach, the Elephanta Caves and Jag Mandir. Goa has the most (3 of 10). Visit between October and March.

Updated · Compiled by Traveliac, AI-assisted · Ranked on our published criteria

See the top 10Browse by state

10

beaches & islands

6

states & territories

8

free to enter

Oct–Mar

best months

Top 10 beaches & islands in India

Ranked by our editors on the same criteria as every Traveliac guide: what you see for your time and money, how well it’s kept, and how easy it is to visit.

  1. 1Alappuzha Beach is a beach in Alappuzha town and a tourist attraction in Kerala, India.Beach has an old pier which extend to sea is over 150 years old. AlappuzhAlappuzha Beach & PierBeach · Alappuzha, Kerala
  2. 2Bird's-eye view of Chennai city from Chennai Lighthouse near Marina BeachMarina BeachBeach · Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  3. 3View of Pondicherry beach from light housePromenade Beach (Goubert Avenue)Beach · Puducherry (Pondicherry), Puducherry
  4. 4The sculptures here were created beginning in the late Gupta Empire, or some time after, and at later dates. Elephanta Island was designated a UNESCO World HeriElephanta CavesHeritage · Mumbai, Maharashtra
  5. 5Palais Jag Mandir Lac Pichola Udaipur 2006 (Oeuvre personnelle)Jag MandirTemple · Udaipur, Rajasthan
  6. 6Sunset at the pristinely beautiful Marari beachMarari BeachBeach · Alappuzha, Kerala
  7. 7Calangute beach was one of the largest tourist attraction near Goa. It is well known or its shear size and cleanlinessCalangute-Baga Beach CorridorBeach · Panaji, Goa
  8. 8Paradise Beach is 7 km past Pondicherry, along the Cuddalore Main Road. Located at a point where the Chunnambar River backwaters meet the Bay of Bengal.Paradise Beach (Plage Paradiso)Beach · Puducherry (Pondicherry), Puducherry
  9. 90639 Anjuna Flea Market 2006-02-15 15-16-13Anjuna Flea MarketMarket · Panaji, Goa
  10. 10its a former village and tourist destination in goaDona Paula ViewpointBeach · Panaji, Goa

All 10 beaches & islands by state

Showing all 10 beaches & islands.

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa10 places

Beaches & Islands compared

PlaceStateTypeIndian feeTime needed
Alappuzha Beach & PierKeralaBeachFree1.5 hrs
Marina BeachTamil NaduBeachFree1.5 hrs
Promenade Beach (Goubert Avenue)PuducherryBeachFree1.5 hrs
Elephanta CavesMaharashtraHeritage₹40 Indian2.5 hrs
Jag MandirRajasthanTemple₹200 Indian1 hr
Marari BeachKeralaBeachFree2 hrs
Calangute-Baga Beach CorridorGoaBeachFree3 hrs
Paradise Beach (Plage Paradiso)PuducherryBeachFree3 hrs
Anjuna Flea MarketGoaMarketFree2.5 hrs
Dona Paula ViewpointGoaBeachFree1 hr

Fees are the Indian-visitor ticket; foreign-visitor and camera fees are on each place’s guide.

Map of beaches & islands in India

Numbers match the ranking; the top 10 are orange. Tap a pin for its guide. 1 place has no map position yet.

Beaches & Islands FAQs

Which beaches & islands in India are free to visit?

On our list, Alappuzha Beach in Alappuzha, Marina Beach in Chennai, Promenade Beach in Puducherry (Pondicherry), Marari Beach in Alappuzha, Calangute-Baga Beach Corridor in Panaji, Paradise Beach in Puducherry (Pondicherry), Anjuna Flea Market in Panaji and Dona Paula Viewpoint in Panaji have no entry fee.

Do foreign visitors pay more at Indian beaches & islands?

Often, yes. The Elephanta Caves, for example, costs ₹40 for Indian visitors and ₹600 for foreign visitors. 2 of the 10 places on this list charge foreigners more; each guide lists both prices.

What is the best time of year to visit beaches & islands in India?

October to March suits most of them. Each guide gives the best months for that place.

How much time do you need at Alappuzha Beach?

Allow about 1.5 hours. Arrive at opening time for the smallest crowds.

Compiled with AI assistance from official sources and public records; see How we write these guides. Last updated . How we rank and check places · All themes