If you have a friend who keeps raving about the idyllic beaches of Goa and Karnataka, well, they will probably be feeling pretty smug right now.
A new survey has ranked the 100 best beaches in the world and two from India have made the cut. Baga Beach stood at #35 and Gokarna Beach was listed at #78 in the Golden Beach Award 2024 rankings by BeachAtlas, a London-based start-up.
Situated 21km north of Panaji, Baga Beach has a thriving nightlife and pulses with energy long into the wee hours of the night. It is named after the creek that flows into the Arabian Sea and visitors engage in all sorts of adventure sport activities like parasailing, scuba diving and kayaking while there. Its sunsets are particularly splendid and with iconic cafes and restaurants like Britto's, Titto's, and Mambos, the beach is a blend of modern vibes and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, Gokarna Beach is a stone’s throw from the Mahabaleshwar Temple in Karnataka. The beach is extremely popular with devotees who, according to tradition, take a purifying dip in its waters before visiting the temple. Visitors can take surfing lessons and explore the sleepy town for its colourful murals.
What makes these rankings unique is that the selection criteria included the value of the beaches to the local community, its lifestyle offerings and cultural significance, among other factors. A selection of travel experts and influencers from around the world cast their votes to help curate the list further.
The top three beaches were Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Boulders Beach in South Africa and Waikiki Beach in the US.