It's springtime and the weather is just right to enjoy a sunny day out on the beach with your loved ones. It's one of the best times of the year when the sun is not so harsh and a cool breeze lingers in the air.
Head to these stunning and relatively less-crowded beaches during the Holi and Easter long weekends for a memorable time.
Bakkhali beach is situated on the meeting point of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. You have to cross a small creek to reach Bakkhali which is touted as a gateway to the Sunderbans. Partly screened off by casuarina trees the beach is best enjoyed when the tide comes in. The intertidal zone is worth exploring for its sea life and you can take a mini coastal trek from Bakkhali to Fraserganj. Local eateries offer typical Bengali food and coastal fare like saltwater fish, crabs and prawns.
Getting There
You can take special buses from Kolkata to Bakkhali. It takes about 4 hours to cover the distance of 128km. At Bakkhali, take the barge at the Namkhana jetty to cross the Hatania-Doania creek.
Once home to retired British and Anglo-Indian railway employees, this traditional haunt of Bengali tourists in Odisha is now populated by resorts. Day-trippers are rare and you can watch the fisherfolk bring in their catch in the early mornings and late afternoons. The local lighthouse is open for a short while in the afternoon so you can marvel at the sweeping views of the Bay of Bengal and the neighbouring countryside. Local creeks in the vicinity have created a network of backwaters where visitors can take leisurely boat rides and plan a picnic. The sea currents are quite strong here so be careful when you enter the water.
Getting There
Take a train to Brahmapur from Kolkata on the Howrah-Chennai line. Auto-rickshaws are available from the railway station to Gopalpur 14km away. The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar about 170km by road.
Formally called Bheemunipatnam, this picturesque beach is rarely part of any tourist itinerary. This is where the Gosthani River meets the Bay of Bengal. The wide curve of sandy beaches makes it a great place to enjoy the sea and the nearby historical sites make it a fascinating place to visit. There are several remains of large Buddhist monastic complexes here, the main one being that of Thotlakonda on a hill overlooking the town. An important site for colonial domination in the region, Bheemili also has remains of 17th century Dutch East India Company trading posts.
Getting There
Local buses run between Vizag and Bheemili (45km away) but a taxi ride is more comfortable.
A sandy stretch to the east of Pondicherry this little strip of land where the Chunnambar river meets the Bay of Bengal is increasingly popular with tourists. The beach is open to visitors from 9AM-5PM and is accessible by ferry from the Chunnambar Boat House. There are beach shacks selling food and beverages, and showers and restrooms are available if you want to go swimming in the clear blue waters of the sea. Stay close to the shore, however, as the currents are quite strong here.
Getting There
The beach is nearly 12km from Pondicherry. Take the ferry from the Chunnambar Boat House on the Pondy-Cuddalore Road.
At this picture perfect corner of Goa white sandy beaches merge into the azure Arabian Sea. Cola beach, also known as Khola beach, in South Goa offers a tranquil and relatively undiscovered coastline with fine golden sands and volcanic boulders. Despite limited accommodation and dining options the beach provides a serene atmosphere and safe swimming conditions, although caution is advised due to potential hazards like rocks and changing water depths. Sunset views are particularly spectacular with vibrant colors reflecting off the sand and streams.
Getting There
Cola beach is located 67km from Panjim. Accessing the beach can be challenging as there are no direct bus routes and the road is unpaved and uneven. You will require a suitable vehicle or consider alternative transportation options.
Vengurla is a little-known coastal town with a beach overlooked by green hills along Maharashtra's Konkan coast. Recently, the place was featured in 'Three of Us', a nostalgic film about childhood and adult life featuring Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat. The region is known for its mango, coconut, and cashew groves. Try the local eateries for Konkani and Malvani cuisine, especially the fish preparations.
Getting There
Although people from Mumbai drive down to Vengurla, taking the Konkan Railway is a good option too. Take the train to Sawantwadi Road (19km from Vengurla) as it offers better stay and transport options than the other drop off point of Kudal. Mumbai is 500km by road.