No doubt most part of the Indian state of Gujarat remains dry and harsh for almost every season of the year. Amidst the humid cosmos of the state, stretched shorelines with sun-kissed beaches are the best place to hang out with friends and family. Though every seaside of the state is not suitable for swimming or bathing owing to its high salinity, but water sports and scenic beauty are the added benefits of these coastal destinations. Listed here are top seven beaches from Gujarat that will surely add up to your bucket list.
- Mandvi beach
Located in the Bhuj district, Mandvi is one of the best-listed beaches in Gujarat. Sun-kissed sands with indigo coasts at Mandvi allow its visitors to enjoy its clear water while swimming or bathing in it. Various water sports like parasailing, water scooty, banana boats and speed boats are also available at the coast for a price. One can simply relax at the thatched seats or walk along the waterlines while engaging themselves in the vast view of the ocean while sipping on fresh coconut water. Nearby tourist places include Rann of Kutch and Kala Dungar hills.
- Chorwad beach
Though the rocky beaches of Chorwad don’t allow swimming and bathing to its visitors, its pristine shores are perfect for long walks and water activities. Nomads go for activities like boating and fishing in the gray waters of Chorwad. The elongated beach near Junagarh was once refuge to the royal kings of Junagarh. The royal retreat has long been converted into a luxurious resort with a private beach that renders some best views of the vast cosmos. Apart from the transformed royal resort, there are plenty of luxurious choices at the bay. Nearby places of interest list Gir Forest and Somnath which are both major tourist attractions of Gujarat.
- Somnath beach
A wonderful and majestic beach adjacent to the famous Shiv temple of Somnath is the Somnath beach. Somnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India and is also a major Hindu pilgrimage center. The silvery waves hitting the boulder shredded alleys behind the gorgeous temple walls create a mesmerizing view of the surroundings. The sunset point and the watchtower also render some magnificent views of the glittering sands with the waves. Apart from the Somnath Temple, nearby attractions include Prabhas Tirtha where Lord Krishna breathed his last. Gir Forest and the Union Territory of Diu are some other places of interest near Somnath.
- Dwarka Beach
Situated near Jamnagar, the most popular landmark of Dwarka is the Dwarkadheesh Temple. The abode of Lord Krishna is located beside the Gomti River which is a distributary of the Arabian Sea. Both the river and the beach are just perfect for bathing and swimming. Dwarka being another Hindu pilgrimage center attracts hundreds of devotees and travelers across the globe. The confluence point of the river with the ocean offers some charming views of the vast water lines. A bridge is also there that connects the banks of the river to the sandy beaches. Other places of interest near Dwarka list Vet Dwarka, Nageswar Mahadev Temple, Gopi Talav, and Rukmini Mandir.
- Tithal beach
Another beach attraction for the adventure lovers is Tithal beach in Valsad. The beach is famous for its black sands and one can enjoy fishing, swimming, and parasailing on this pristine coast. The place is a major attraction for international travelers as well. Two famous temples of Swaminarayan and Sai Baba are yet another lures of the travelers at Tithal.
- Gopnath beach
Gopnath beach near Bhavnagar is popular for its limestone cliffs, breathtaking views and a variety of flora and fauna. The beach was once the summer house of Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singh. The limestone cliffs shading the palm-lined coasts offer some jaw-dropping views of the cosmos. One can enjoy a sea view from the balcony of the adjacent lavish resorts. Nearby places to explore include Gopnath temple, and Talaja Jain temple.
- Dumas Beach
Just at a distance of 10 km from Surat Airport lies the haunted beach of Dumas. The black beach sands were earlier the burial grounds of the corpses. Locals till date also reports of experiencing paranormal activities after the dusk. But myths apart, the beach is a wonderful place to dwell in broad daylight. It is maybe due to the myths of Dumas being haunted; the beach remains less crowdy for the most part of the day as compared to other beaches. Bathing or swimming is not recommended here because of the high salinity of the water. The Dariya Ganesh temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is situated just beside the sands.
Apart from the above, Daman and Diu are the two nearest Union Territories from Gujarat that host some serene and pristine beaches. Few to name are Nagoa, and Ghogla in Diu and Jampore in Daman. Some of these beaches also host water sports like parasailing, banana boats, and water scooty. Many of the above-mentioned coastlines have animal rides as well but being a responsible traveler, one must refrain from any such enjoyment that hurts an unspoken mammal.
