KARNATAKA

Karnataka has a 320-km long coastline with a number of beaches. Most are as yet unspoilt by commercialization. Some of the better known beaches in the state are:

Karwar

Karwar, just 100 km from Goa, is idyllic. It is so beautiful that India's only Nobel Prize winning poet Rabindranath Tagore, wrote his first play there. Other attractions of the place, include the Sadashivgad Hill fort with a Durga temple, the Octagonal Church, and the 300 year old Venkataramana Temple, that houses some fine paintings. For wildlife lovers, the Dandeli Game Park is just 157 km away.

Marwanthe

Marwanthe is a seaside town with some of the best natural scenery. On one side is the West Coast Highway along with the Arabian Sea and on the other is the Sauparnika River rushing down a mountain. The sunsets are breathtakingly striking. The beach is good for watersports and the number of beach resorts around promise relaxing holidays.

Malpe

Malpe, with its harbour makes a quiet beach retreat, just six kilometres away from Udupi, the temple town so well known for the statue of Lord Krishna. Right across is St. Mary's Isles, so ideal for picnics. Close to Malpe is Ullal, yet another beach resort with casuarina groves, silvery sands and poetically beautiful views of the sunset.

TAMIL NADU

Marina Beach

The Marina Beach, one of the longest beaches in Asia, has clean blue seas. The 12-km long stretch is a major tourist attraction of Chennai. Located on the eastern side of the city of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal, Marina promises wonderful sunsets and sunrises. However, it is dangerous for bathing and swimming since the undercurrent is very strong. In the evenings, the beach turns into a fair ground with all kinds of entertainment and food stalls.
The attractions of Marina Beach is the aquarium, which has some exotic collections of tropical sea fishes and fresh water fishes. Next door is the Ice House, which used to store ice brought from Great Lakes in North America. On the beach are the Anna And MGR Samadhis, memorials of the most popular, former Chief ministers of the state.
The nearest airport to Marina is Chennai which has regular flights from domestic and international cities. Chennai is also well connected by rail with the important towns and cities in the country.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram is 58 km, south of Chennai. It was once the port of the Pallava kingdom. The Pallavas also set up some wonderful monuments on the beach. Along with beach resorts, which are scattered all over the area, Mahabalipuram attracts tourists from all over the world. Nearby are the crocodile farm and the snake venom extracting centre, schools of art and sculpture.
Among the other attractions of Mahabalipuram Beach is the Dakshinachitra, a heritage crafts centre and the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m, Arjuna's Penance. There is also one of the oldest shore temples in South India. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty even after sunset.
The nearest airport to Mahabalipuram is Chennai while the nearest railway stations are Chengalpattu (29 km) and Chennai (58 km). From these stations, Mahabalipuram can be reached by road.

Kanyakumari

At the southern-most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, is Kanyakumari. A pilgrim centre, the place is also famous for the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days.
The sea in Kanyakumari is rough, so it is difficult and dangerous for swimming and bathing. The beach is unique because it is covered with sand of many colours. One can sunbathe on soft sands, or just wade in the water. There is also a lighthouse from where one can get a good view of the seas. One of the biggest attractions in Kanyakumari is Vivekananda's Rock, a huge stone rising out of the sea, on which Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated. It now houses the statue of Vivekananda and a memorial to the great man.
The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is Thiruvananthapuram, 80 km away. Kanyakumari is also well connected by train services with most cities in India.

ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh has approximately 1000 km. of coastline with eight of its 23 districts having direct access to the sea. The coastline begins from Bheemunipatnam near Visakhapatnam down to Mypad in Nellore district. Apart from Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam beaches, there are other famous beaches such as Manginapudi, Kakinada, Chirala, Kalingapatnam and Mypad.

Rishikonda

There are quite a few beaches around Visakhapatnam and its surroundings. Rishikonda is just 8 km from Visakhapatnam. It is still unspoilt and good for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers.

Bheemunipatnam

Around 24 km away from Visakhapatnam is Bheemunipatnam. The beach is located at the mouth of the Gosthani RIver. Once a Dutch settlement, the ruins of a fort and cemetery are still intact. A little way inland from here is Hollanders Green, the Dutch cemetery. The beach is very safe for swimmers. The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam. The city is well connected by air with all major cities in India. There are also regular train services between Vishakapatnam and other Indian cities.

Manginapudi Beach

Located 11 km from Machilipatnam in Krishna District, Manginapudi is a lovely beach well known for its picturesque locale and its historical importance. The beach has a natural bay and is comparatively shallow and safe. Near the beach is a beautifully laid-out park with a fountain. The nearest airport to Machilipatnam is Vijayawada, 85 km away. The railway station of Machilipatnam is 15 km from the beach.