Top 10 Beaches in India 2026
India's coastline runs over 7,500 kilometres — and beyond Goa, there's a stunning range of beaches most travellers never see. Here are ten of the best, from party-friendly classics to remote turquoise-water hideaways. Best months noted for each.
The full ranking — 10 picks
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Top pickRank 1. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock
Andaman & Nicobar IslandsOften called Asia's best beach. White sand, turquoise water, no jet skis. Reach via ferry from Port Blair. Best from November-April; closed during monsoon.
Photo: Harvinder Chandigarh · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 2. Palolem Beach
GoaSouth Goa's crown jewel — crescent-shaped, lined with coconut palms and dotted with beach shacks. Calmer than the northern beaches but with a lively nightlife. Visit November-March.
Photo: iMahesh · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 3. Varkala Beach
KeralaSet on dramatic red cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea. Cliff-top cafes, Ayurvedic spas and a holy spring at Papanasam Beach. Visit October-March.
Photo: Kondephy · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 4. Gokarna Om Beach
KarnatakaShaped like the symbol of 'Om', this is the quieter Goa alternative. Reachable on foot from Kudle Beach via a clifftop trail. November-February for ideal weather.
Photo: Aleksriis · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 5. Marari Beach
KeralaLong, golden and refreshingly untouristy compared to Kerala's bigger names. A great base for slow travel with the backwaters of Alleppey nearby.
Photo: Mahendra M · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Rank 6. Tarkarli Beach
MaharashtraCrystal-clear water and India's best scuba diving outside the Andamans. Live the village-stay life or do a Sindhudurg Fort day-trip. Best from October-May.
Photo: Rohit Keluskar · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 7. Agonda Beach
GoaSouth Goa's most peaceful long beach. No loud parties, no jet skis, just a 3 km stretch of sand, sea turtles nesting in season and yoga retreats. November-March.
Photo: Sobarwiki · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain -
Rank 8. Cherai Beach
KeralaJust 30 km north of Kochi. Coconut palms on one side, backwaters on the other. Long, walkable and good for a quiet weekend. October-February.
Photo: Jan J George · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 9. Puri Beach
OdishaLong, sandy and culturally rich — Jagannath Temple is steps away. Visit during the Puri Beach Festival in November for sand sculpture, music and dance.
Photo: Sambit 1982 · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 10. Kovalam Beach
KeralaThree crescent-shaped beaches in a row, anchored by the iconic red-and-white Vizhinjam lighthouse. A long-standing favourite for Ayurveda and sunset watching.
Photo: Georgeumartin · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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About this list
Top 10 Beaches in India 2026 runs from 1 to 10. Radhanagar Beach, Havelock takes the top spot, and Kovalam Beach closes it out at number 10. It was first published on 27 May 2026 and last revised on 24 September 2026.
Spotted something out of date, or an entry you would rank differently? Tell us — the order on this page is revised as the picks change.
