Shores of Serenity

Andhra Pradesh’s 970-km coastline has pristine beaches with stunning views. Yet, they are largely known only locally and are havens of tranquillity.

Kalingapatnam

Located about 30 km southeast of Srikakulam, Kalingapatnam is an ancient harbour town with a history going back to much before the British turned it into a thriving seaport for their trade. It is believed that a variety of goods including textiles and perfumes were exported to Europe from here. Besides which, extensive excavations have revealed a treasure trove of Buddhist relics and monuments. The beach itself is beautiful, made even more scenic by a spectacular lighthouse constructed during British times.

Baruva

Located about 109km from Srikakulam, Baruva is a fishing village and coastal port. It lies amidst lush coconut groves and paddy fields, which make the sea and sand that much more picturesque. Also here are the famous temples of Sri Kotilingeswara Swamy and Janardana Swamy. A Haritha resort nearby offers visitors the ideal location fora seaside sojourn and vacation.

Bheemunipatnam

Located about 45km to the north of Visakhapatnam, Bheemunipatnam has a pretty little beach called Bheemli. It is very scenic, located at the mouth of the Gosthani river, What makes this place quite exotic is the fact that it has a ruined Dutch fort. A former Dutch settlement, the remnants of the past colonisers are very much evident. The lighthouse on the beach dates back to 1868 and acts as a citadel.

Visakhapatnam

Vizag, as it is affectionately called, is probably one of the most pleasant beach towns on the east coast. The Beach Road is a favourite haunt with both locals and tourists, and combines two spectacular beaches - Ramakrishna Beach and Lawson’s Bay. The road is crowded in the evenings, especially on weekends, but on most days pleasantly so. Ramakrishna Beach is more popular, especially with children, since there is a park of sorts and areas for children to play. Also, the soft sands, with the gently lapping sea, are ideal for a morning or evening walk. Rushikonda is about 8km to the north and is a vast stretch and relatively peaceful with lesser crowds. The sands are golden, the sea quite blue and the beach is unspoilt.

Kakinada (Uppada)

Located just north of Kakinada town, Uppada Beach is a wide and long stretch of beach with mild blue water and soft breezes, making it one of the most lovely places along the coast. There are also rocks and trees which add to the whole picture. The beach is also frequented by fishermen who bring in not only a variety of fish but also prawns.

Machilipatnam (Krishna District)

What adds to the little town of Machilipatnam is Manginapudi Beach nearby, which combines both beauty and history. Machilipatnam was once a flourishing trade centre on the east coast and continues to bear signs of its past prominence as the gateway to the country. The beach has a natural bay and the shallow waters are ideal for wading and even swimming.

Vodarevlj (Prakasam District)

Far from the noise of a city, Vodarevu is popular with tourists who want to stay overnight and spend time near the sea against a background of palm and coconut trees. The setting is both beautiful and serene and comes alive during weekends, but a smattering of tourists is visible throughout the week as well.

Suryalanka (Guntur District)

Golden sands meet the azure blue of the Bay of Bengal at Suryalanka, making for a very pretty picture. Known only locally, the beach is unspoilt and has hardly any crowds. It is calm and serene and hence very popular for picnics and as a weekend getaway. While here, also shop for locally-made handloom fabrics and saris that are made in Chirala.

Mypadu (Nellore District)

Situated just 25 km north of Nellore, Mypadu Beach is a rather unusual one because of its long, verdant stretch. With its golden sands and lovely blue sea, it makes for a rather fetching image and is an ideal location for a getaway or even an extended stay where you can relax and rejuvenate. Wade in the water, go for a swim or just lounge on the lovely sands and let the scenery and the refreshing breeze invigorate you. An array of food stalls nearby offers sumptuous fare while there are also outfits that provide facilities for water sports and adventure activities.

For more details about: South India Tour and Budget Tour India