Best Beaches for Swimming in Goa or India

schematic

Was in Varkala this weekend and the beach scene there was the best I've seen in India so far (which only means beating anything in Chennai, Mahabalipuram, or Pondicherry). Take it any way you want -- and kindly spare me the admonishments -- but there were many westerners there in various states of dress. Some went topless and had no trouble from the police patrols.

The sea was certainly not what I would call rough or dangerous, there's a shallow area, followed by an area maybe 1.5m deep, buffered by a sandbar where the water is less than 1m deep. There's also a nice break for bodysurfing and bodyboarding (which can be hired there).

I didn't see any children on the beach, and almost none in the resort area. That's part of the appeal, I believe.

ssharonuk

For children id have to say that coco beach just 10 mins from candolin has to be the best i was told it was dirty there but im pleased to say its clean also no beach sellers and some great beach shacks the water there is really calm its like a big paddling pool perfect for children to play in and also the dolphin trip is well worth going on
if you walk to your right where roans shack is its a bit shelly but to your left its perfect sand cost you 300rps by taxi return from candolin .dont get a tut tut there bcos the road is just a cattle road
sharonuk

alonig

Keri beach, last beach north of Goa, the dolphin shack. Fab beach. hardley anyone on it, no sellers at all and u can watch the dolphins from the beach or take a boat ride out to them

aask

Kovalam is probably the SAFEST beach in Inida to swim.
It is also the best body surfing beach in India.
The safety come from the excellent and the most professional life guards at service any where in India 7AM -7PM. Since 1989, when the service got operational, there were only 3 drownings; all off them after duty hours.
The Tourism department have lately posted a team of these life guards at Varkala too.
These guys train every morning, I've trained with them. They will guide you off the rip tides as it forms and moves, and also may call you in as the sea gets rougher. (they don't bother with you though; if you know how to handle the waves).
At Kovalam:
Best time for calm waters : January to March.
Best waves to Surf : Mid day tide before a full moon. Or sunset tides before a half moon night.

Parallel

Same thing happened in March 2006 (and I heard that this happens every year).

One indian kid (17+?) died (found floating the next day) and the other sent to hospital. I noticed that the centre of the beach seems fine - but towards the rocks (tunnel/bridge) the rip was far stronger - not recommended unless you are a strong swimmer).

Palolem also has "life guards" - however the seemed to always be looking inland - talking to the taxi guys... so would not rely on them too much!

Be safe!

P

seventies'hippy

Sadly this happens every year all along the beaches of Goa,,,,,,,,,,,

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Shiver me Timbers

Just around the headland from the main Arambol beach you've got the Sweet Water Lake, which is perfect for swimming. A beautiful spot as well.

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AvidTrekker

GaNapatipule in Maharashtra is a pretty loooong and safe beach to swim...

You also have Harihareshwar and Harnai, but G'pule beats them.

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haddojetty

Hi all, as this is my first post excuse me if it's in the wrong place. I just wanted to reply to the question about safe beaches. In January 1999 a guy drowned at Varkala. It was awful, apparently he'd swam over to the right hand side of the cove where the current is very strong. So beware!

freenote

Hi Haddojetty ,no , your post is not in the wrong place. sad to hear that somebody drowned at Varkala.Nice stretch of beach !! but the sea is dangerous wherever you go .i read in your profile you were in India 98/99 and nostalgia is hitting . Well for me i have only been back a couple of months and nostalgia is hitting already .Hurry up next winter and I'm of again

grlloutthere

Well I guess I'm the exception to the rule, I don't like calm beaches. Swimming in the sea reminds me too much of having to swim Up and Down the pool endlessly as a child. Give me crash, tumble, and wildness any day.
Can anyone recommend a good body boarding beach within a days travel of Pune?
maybe I'll bring my board.

ajay7

The beaches in the Andaman Islands are among the best in India if not the world
when people think of India the kinda cut the Andaman and a\Lakshadweep Islands out of their mind set ..
Havelock Island(Andamans) has been voted in "Times" nagzine as one of the top 5 beaches in the worls , only prob is the distance from Calcutta or chennai 2 days by sea or few hrs by air (a bit more$$$)
Lakshadweep islands are coral island as a non- Indian permission is needed to go there but dud they are awesome tranquil places far from the junky.. and desi crowds seen in the main land Indian beaches of Goa , kerala ...

freenote

The use of lifeguards is becomming far more common .Check this one out who was patrolling at Purri

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haddojetty

On the subject of the Andamans-we spent a week on Smith Island, North Andaman, there were just 7 of us. The beach there is the stuff of dreams. Mind you, this was in 1998 and I've since heard that people have invaded that particular island and left their litter etc. We were there all alone, had a huge tropical storm with NO way of getting back to the mainland for the next 4 days. However, what a memory......beautiful....I could go on and on about Smith. Spent time on Havelock too but as the jungle resort had recently started to be discovered, there were more people but Beach No.7 is still breathtaking to say the least. To be sitting on the beach and see the elephants coming for their bath was stunning!!!! If anyone goes there-stay in Port Blair for the night and then go to the islands-it's the BEST!!

Shiver me Timbers

Sadly, Smith is now officially open only to day-trippers. There was a major fire on the island, caused by campers. You can still camp illegally, I heard they were dishing out fines of up to 5000 Rupees if caught, but I doubt the actual figure would be that high. It is perhaps the most stunning beach I've ever seen, along with, as haddojetty points out, the famous no.7 beach on Havelock, where they're filming seens from 'Shantaram' soon enough.

Haddojetty, I like your picture of Smith and Ross I believe?