<strong>Tarkarli, Maharashtra: </strong>As well as outstanding beaches, the Tarkarli region is home to serene backwaters, bustling villages and ancient sea forts.
Tarkarli, Maharashtra: As well as outstanding beaches, the Tarkarli region is home to serene backwaters, bustling villages and ancient sea forts.
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<strong>Kaup, Karnataka: </strong>Close to the temple town of Udupi, in the southern state of Karnataka, Kaup is a vision of blues and greens.
Kaup, Karnataka: Close to the temple town of Udupi, in the southern state of Karnataka, Kaup is a vision of blues and greens.
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<strong>Gokarna, Karnataka: </strong>This collection of beaches on India's west coast offers a similar package to Goa across their mix of buzzy and more laid-back stretches of sand.
Gokarna, Karnataka: This collection of beaches on India's west coast offers a similar package to Goa across their mix of buzzy and more laid-back stretches of sand.
R Niranjan Das
<strong>Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu: </strong>Better known by its Anglicized name of Tranquebar, this quiet town sits on the Bay of Bengal in southern India. Beyond its attractive beach, the town is an architecturally fascinating place to visit.
Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu: Better known by its Anglicized name of Tranquebar, this quiet town sits on the Bay of Bengal in southern India. Beyond its attractive beach, the town is an architecturally fascinating place to visit.
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<strong>Bekal, Kerala:</strong> This long stretch of sand is popular among both locals and visitors for the lush gardens and art installations, including reddish laterite rock sculptures depicting <em>theyyam</em> (a traditional dance).
Bekal, Kerala: This long stretch of sand is popular among both locals and visitors for the lush gardens and art installations, including reddish laterite rock sculptures depicting theyyam (a traditional dance).
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<strong>Puri, Odisha: </strong>Puri's main beach is known for its party atmosphere. There are quieter shores to the north around Balighai and Chandrabhaga.
Puri, Odisha: Puri's main beach is known for its party atmosphere. There are quieter shores to the north around Balighai and Chandrabhaga.
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<strong>Palolem, Goa: </strong>One of the quieter stretches of this popular beach destination, Palolem has a ban on live music after 10 p.m. The area offers an array of relaxing experiences, such as Ayurveda massages and yoga classes right on the shore.
Palolem, Goa: One of the quieter stretches of this popular beach destination, Palolem has a ban on live music after 10 p.m. The area offers an array of relaxing experiences, such as Ayurveda massages and yoga classes right on the shore.
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<strong>Mandarmani beach, West Bengal: </strong>This increasingly popular eight-mile-long stretch of sand is known for spectacular sunrises, calm waters and occasional visitations of little red crabs.
Mandarmani beach, West Bengal: This increasingly popular eight-mile-long stretch of sand is known for spectacular sunrises, calm waters and occasional visitations of little red crabs.
Soumya Bandyopadhyay Photography/Moment RF/Getty Images
<strong>Minicoy, Lakshadweep: </strong>In the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep islands, Minicoy offers stunning postcard-perfect beaches and absolute isolation.
Minicoy, Lakshadweep: In the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep islands, Minicoy offers stunning postcard-perfect beaches and absolute isolation.
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<strong>Radhanagar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: </strong>Calm waters and fine sands are the chief attractions at Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island. It's easy to see why it's regularly named as one of Asia's best sandy stretches.
Radhanagar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Calm waters and fine sands are the chief attractions at Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island. It's easy to see why it's regularly named as one of Asia's best sandy stretches.
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<strong>Rushikonda, Andhra Pradesh:</strong> Located in eastern India, this clean and secluded beach -- set away from the bustle of Visakhapatnam city in the state of Andhra Pradesh -- is a favorite picnic spot among locals, despite the strong currents.
Rushikonda, Andhra Pradesh: Located in eastern India, this clean and secluded beach -- set away from the bustle of Visakhapatnam city in the state of Andhra Pradesh -- is a favorite picnic spot among locals, despite the strong currents.
Karthikeyan Gnanaprakasam/Shutterstock