- #HGWORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
Living in the city of Mumbai, we become immune sometimes to the kind of options that are open to us, being located right on the Western Ghats - and this list is here to change that. The coastline undulates through the ghats, latent with possibilities of laid-back holidays spent in the sun, sand and surf, far away from the grind of the city. We could talk about our love for road trips or our ever-growing love for the ocean itself, but instead, we’re going to take you straight to the source with this list of beaches, all of which are - at the most - just an overnight journey away by road.
Keep it simple, pack light and hit the road, it’s time to get your summer on.
Where: Chaudi, South Goa
Palolem is one of those beaches that, over the course of the last 15 years, has gone from being a pristine crescent-shaped stretch to a magnet for the backpackers and travellers in the know. While this means that it’s more populated than it used to be, located in the market town of Chaudi in South Goa, it’s still one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Lined with huts, it’s also one of the best places to spend whole weekends if you’re a friendlier beach bum, lazing around on sunbeds, resurfacing only to go out for swims, with plenty of interesting people to chat for when you’d like company.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
If you would like to get out of the sunbed though, you don’t have to go for to find a fishing trip or a dolphin-spotting trip, as the local fishermen will be happy to take you out along the bay. There’s also Monkey Island at the end of Palolem, from where you can witness gorgeous sunsets (if you’re into that kind of thing).
STAY
The Nest: 3 types of accommodation to suit your fancy and budget, cottages right on the beach with additional services like airport drop offs, free wifi. Trip advisor certificate of excellence, 2013, book online.
TRAVEL FROM MUMBAI
Flight: 1 hour
Rail: 12-14 hours
Road: Approx. 12 hours
Where: South Goa
In the southern most Canacona Taluka of Goa is the white sand beach of Agonda, arguably one of the cleaner and more peaceful beaches in Goa. Usually a magnet for a slightly older crowd, you can be assured you’ll be left well by yourself if it’s solitude you seek. You can generally find people doing yoga on the beach, and this is also the site of the famous Olive Ridley turtles. While the sea can occasionally get pretty rough for surfing and swimming (always check your currents) this is one of the most peaceful places to spend a lazy day at the beach.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Get along your own yoga mats, books and hula hoops, this is the place for them. If you wake up early enough in the morning, you can even spot dolphins from the shore, and there’s also kayaks out for hire that you can take out in the sea.
STAY
Agonda Villas: 5 Balinese/Chinese style cottages right on the beach - slightly heavy on the pocket, but so worth it.
Palm beach lifestyle resort: A secluded, cute and budget stay.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: 1 hour
Rail: 12 hours
Road: Approx. 12 hours
Where: Near Mangalore, Karnataka
We seem to have a type when it comes to beaches and this magnanimous beach in Karnataka definitely fits the bill. Located 12km from Mangalore, this beach boasts a curving shoreline and offers the kind of serenity that people travel across the world for.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Surathkal is famous for the lighthouse on a rocky hillock offers a panoramic view of the beach and the sea, and visitors are allowed up here between 4-5PM. There’s also several sites of religious significance with beautiful architecture in the area, with a Shiva temple, a Jain temple, a church and an ashram all within 20 km of the beach.
STAY
Hotel Sai Suraj International, which is walking distance from the beach.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: 1 and a half hour to Mangalore, and then half an hour by road from there.
Rail: Approx. 15 hours to Mangalore Railway Station, which is about 20km from the beach
Road: Approx. 12 hours
Where: 5km from Gokarna Town, Karnataka
Once upon a time, Om beach was the antithesis of say, a Calangute or a Baga beach in Goa. Of course, things have changed a little as the secret wasn’t well-kept and the crowds are far greater now. However, it still boasts of one of the most dramatic entrances onto the sand with a rough staircase hewn out of rocks giving the visitor a view of the entire shoreline before descending upon it. Two semicircular coves curve together to form an inverted symbol of Om - a naturally formed phenomenon that the average visitor spends much time debating the authenticity of over the course of the visit. That alone is worth the trip. Shacks line the beach comfortably, and we suggest you walk towards the furthest end to get to the best part.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
There are several kinds of watersports activities that you can indulge in here, from surfing to water skiing to para sailing so lather on the sunscreen, it’s time for a real tan. Plus, we might have slightly old news on this, but the fries were really good the last time we went.
STAY
Om Beach Resort if you really want reservations in advance, if not - wing it in one of the shacks
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: The closest airports are Dabolim, Goa (1 hour flight from Mumbai) & Mangalore (1 and half hour).
Rail: Approx. 15 hours to Mangalore Railway Station from Mumbai, then 5 hours by road.
Road: Approx. 12 hours
Where: Padu, Karnataka
Despite having apparently featured in several movies, Kaup beach is one of the better-kept sand secrets in the country. The cool climate and the beach combine to make a dream team. After you’re done with your required amount of vegetating on the beach, there’s several other activities here worth your while as well. The ruins of Jain Basadis or Jain temples on the beach are definitely worth exploring and there’s a 114-year-old lighthouse towering at a 100 feet located here, a vantage point that you can pay a visit to before sunset to enjoy a breathtaking view. Let’s be honest - we can never get enough of those.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
You can also ask a local boatman to take you into the deep sea in the morning where you will find dolphins. If you’re looking for a particularly exhilarating experience, shut the motor of the boat and get into the water (with your life-jacket on) so you can float with them.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: The closest airport is Mangalore (1 and half hour from Mumbai).
Rail: The nearest stations are at Udupi and Mangalore (15 hours from Mumbai), from which Kaup is under an hour’s journey away.
Road: Approx. 15 hours
Where: Near Karwar, Northern Karnataka
This is the perfect trip for those who don’t mind a low-maintenance sort of holiday, with a healthy dose of adventure thrown in. Located 4km from Karwar in Northern Karnataka, you need to take a boat to get to this tortoise-shaped island, a fitting note to kick things off on. There is one resort located here and most of the accommodation consists of tents and cottages, although they may not be the cleanest.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing are all up for grabs here and you can also rent out a speedboat to go dolphin-spotting.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: The closest airport is Dabolim, Goa (1 hour flight from Mumbai).
Rail: The nearest stations are at Karwar (10 hours from Mumbai), from which Kurumgad is a 45 minutes ferry ride away.
Road: Approx. 12 hours
Where: Near Kundapura, Karnataka
All sparkling white sand and coconut and palm trees, Marawanthe beach is one of the most scenic points on the entire coastal highway driving route. There is one point on the highway itself where you can see the Arabian Sea to one side, and the Kodachari Hills and the Sauparnika River on the other. Activities like scuba diving and snorkelling are popular here, making it the perfect place for a taste of adventure.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
We suggest you really get out and explore the area around the beach as well, as there’s a small fishing village known Kanchugode located nearby, and there’s also the option of going trekking in the hills. Be careful in the water, though, the sea here’s been known to be dangerous.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: The closest airport is Dabolim, Goa (1 hour flight from Mumbai).
Rail: The nearest stations are Kundapura(15kms), Baindur(18kms), Murudeshwar(50kms).
Road: Approx. 13 hours
Where: Northern Karnataka
Karwar actually consists of five adjacent beaches, the most popular being Devbagh. (Beaches within beaches? We like it.) Nestled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian sea, Karwar combines the best of both worlds, with the cooling breeze unleashed by the former on one side, while the other enjoys the the warmth of sunshine.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Don’t leave Karwar without trying the fish thali and the tamboos tawa fry (red snapper) at Shweta Lunch Home or the iconic Amrut hotel. The fish curry in the area has unique flavours that you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: The closest airport is Dabolim, Goa (1 hour flight from Mumbai), and then it’s about 3 hours from Margao.
Rail: Approx 12 hours to Karwar Railway Station.
Road: Approx. 11 hours
Where: Vasai Gaon, Maharashtra
Bassein beach is less than 70 km from Mumbai, so this is a particularly accessible beach for you if you’re looking for less travel time, more frolicking. This beach is a confluence point for natural flora and fauna and for its historical and religious significance, and is the perfect antidote to the daily grind of city life. Bassein beach is also renown for how gorgeous it is during night-time. Right now’s a particularly good time though because the crowds that usually tend to throng this one are a bit diminished in the summer so you can enjoy the peace far more.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Back in the 18th century, the Marathas besieged the Portuguese Fort here, the ruins of which are worth checking out. There’s also the village of Nalasopara around 10 km from here, that is also the site of beautiful Buddhist relics. There are also several other temples nearby and the famous Akloli hot water springs you shouldn’t miss.
STAY
Your own home. This beach is better suited for a day trip, so you can have the comfort of your bed by night.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Rail: 1 and a half hour from Kurla Railway Station.
Road: Approx. 1 and a half hour
Where: Malvan Taluka, Maharashtra
Located at the confluence of the Karli river and the Arabian Sea, Tarkarli is often hailed as the ‘Queen Beach’, replete with pristine waters, towering ‘shuru’ trees and a long coastline. Plus, thanks to the clear water, you can the seabed up to the depth of 20 feet on a sunny day - without a doubt, a well-deserved change from the chaos and pollution of city life. We suggest you spend more time in water than you do out of it, at this one.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Scuba diving and snorkelling should satiate the adventure-seeker’s appetite and give them a chance to explore the area underwater, and there’s even a houseboat facility that is made available with hi-tech equipments and luxurious amenities on board.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: Nearest airport’s Goa International Airport, 1 hour from Mumbai.
Rail: Approx 8 hours to Kudal Railway Station from Mumbai, Tarkali is 50 km away from here.
Road: Approx. 10 hours
Where: Diu
The fishing town of Diu is known for the majestic Diu Fort and the ancient Portuguese Cathedral, and Chakratirth Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area with long stretches of sand undulating into the lapping sea. Peaceful and clean, there’s also a hillock nearby from where you can enjoy legendary sunsets.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Get your surfboard out or do it in a banana boat if that’s more your thing, but make sure you get into the cool blue water at this picturesque location because these are some of the safest and most divine waters to splash around in.
STAY
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: Nearest airport is Diu Airport, 1 hour from Mumbai.
Rail: Approx. 15 hours via Ahmedabad.
Road: Approx. 19 hours
Where: North of Shastri River, Maharashtra
Coconut palm groves and rock-free seawater make the Velneshwar Beach special, pristine and far removed from the chaos of the city. Read, sunbathe, swim, repeat. This is the beach to go to, to switch off completely. Don’t look for an ‘other things to do’ section; there isn’t one.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: Nearest airport’s Diu Airport, 1 hour from Mumbai.
Rail: Approx. 6 hours via Chiplun.
Road: Approx. 6 hours.
Where: 6km from Udupi, Karnataka
The largest natural port in Karnataka, Malpe beach is surrounded the small Udayavara River, which flows around it. The idyllic beach is the perfect place for some downtime with your favourite people and fishing, angling, swimming and sailing vie for your attention in the sunshine. There are also several islands nearby, with St. Mary’s Island, also known as Thonse Paar, just a small ride on a local boat away.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
If you do get tired of the timelessness of the beach and feel the need to venture out, you need to check out St. Mary’s Island for its unique geographic features including volcanic rocks; just hop on a boat and a local boatman should be able to take you there. There’s also a fort on the Dari-Bahadurgad Island and a fascinating harbour close to the beach where you can watch ships being built.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: Nearest airport is at Mangalore Airport, 1 and a half hours from Mumbai.
Rail: Approx. 16 hours via Udupi.
Road: Approx. 14 hours.
Where: Maharashtra
This one’s for the adrenaline junkies - and we have our friends at Vaayu to thank for its discovery. Paradise beach is definitely one of the least explored options on this entire list. Completely deserted, this is the perfect site to pitch your own tents, cook your own food, camp out, go windsurfing/ kite-surfing/ boogie-boarding and get your blue lagoon-esque weekend on. There are absolutely no shops, shacks or restaurants around though, so make sure you carry your own supplies and equipment and whatever you do--leave it as pristine as you found it.
TRAVEL TIME FROM MUMBAI
Flight: Nearest airport’s Dabolim Airport, 1 hour from Mumbai & then 6 hours to the beach.
Rail: Approx. 6 hours via Sawarda Railway Station.
Road: Approx. 6 hours.
