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If Goa is the only place that pops up in your mind after we talk about sand and sun, you’re mistaken. Gujarat has the longest coastline in India after the Andaman and Nicobar Islands! What the 1,600-km-long seashore of Gujarat brings to you are beaches; sunny, rocky, sandy, and scenic.
It’s true that Gujarat is famous for its temples, national parks, and monuments. But once you read this article, we’re sure you’ll take a detour to some of the best beaches in Gujarat. Apart from popular beaches like Mandvi Beach and Dwarka Beach, there are many offbeat beaches in Gujarat. Get ready to walk over sand barefoot and dunk your feet in the waves of these beaches in Gujarat.
This beautiful and lively beach in the Kutch region of Gujarat is popular for its views and watersport activities. There’s no end to how you can spend your time on this beach. You can go ATV biking, zorbing, or speed boating on Mandvi Beach.
There are many attractions near Mandvi Beach, like Vijay Vilas Palace and shipbuilding yards. While we’re talking about Vijay Vilas Palace, you can indulge in some glamping by the sea. This luxurious stay treats you to some grand views of Mandvi Beach and the Arabian Sea.
If you’re looking to spend a quiet evening on the beach, just take a stroll enjoying the breeze. Breeze, we say, is aplenty on Mandvi Beach, which explains the presence of a windmill farm nearby. Try going early if you plan to go to Mandvi Beach because you surely don’t want to miss out on the sunset between the water sports and junk food stalls.
How To Reach Mandvi Beach - Take a rental taxi or a state transport bus from the Bhuj which is a town 57 km away from Mandvi Beach. If you want to visit Mandvi Beach from Dwarka District, you can take a ferry from Okha to reach Mandvi.
The paranormal always attracts curious travelers. That is exactly what interested us to add this beach to the list. Dumas Beach is well known for its black sand and scary stories. It’s said that the beach was an ancient burial ground, and visitors claim supernatural encounters. But the black sand is due to high iron concentration, and that’s why the haunted stories! The scarcity of tourists here lets you put on your earphones and enjoy a quiet walk on Dumas Beach.
There is a small Dariya Ganesh Temple close to the beach, standing at this temple and looking over the rocks washes you with a sense of calm. If the interesting haunted stories don’t attract you to Dumas Beach, the food surely will. You can bite into a hot bhutta (roasted corn) or hog on some cheesy Pav Bhaji near Dumas Beach. While you’re at it, don’t forget to try the popular Lashkari Tomato Bhajiya. Let the urban legends and ghost tales not keep you away from this beach. Explore it like a true traveler but don’t stroll alone after dark as it gets a little eerie!
How To Reach Dumas Beach - Dumas Beach is 18 km away from Surat, so a half-hour drive from Surat takes you to the beach. You can drive or take a rental taxi from Surat Railway Station to Dumas Beach.
Fascinated by the spooks? Consider Exploring The Ghost Town Of Kuldhara!
If you enjoyed watching Mandvi Beach from the Vijay Vilas Palace, you’re going to fall in love with Chorwad Beach. The Nawabs of Junagadh saw Chorwad Beach as their summer resort. Today, you can marvel at the sight of the sea lapping gently at the Chorwad Palace. There’s a small fishing hamlet near the beach to go and explore.
If you’re on a laid-back vacation, you can go sunbathing, boating, or camping at Chorwad Beach. The white sandy beach is pretty but risky, as the sand slides beneath your feet. This is also a reason why there are no watersports on Chorwad Beach. Chorwad in the local language means ‘unpredictable sand’ because the sand on the beach sinks. So don’t go diving even if the water seems inviting!
Very few know that Chorwad is the hometown of late industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani. You can drive over to Ambani Memorial House from the beach and see some rare photos of the industrialist. When you plan to visit Chorwad Beach, remember there’s no lodging and boarding around it, so you’ve to book your stay in Somnath or Veraval.
How To reach Chorwad Beach - You can drive from Somnath or Veraval which are 32 km and 24 km away from Chorwad respectively. There is no local transport up to the beach, so it’s better to go by private vehicle. Keshod has the nearest airport 37 km away and Veraval Junction is the nearest railway station 25 km away.
Madhavpur Beach is another offbeat beach in Gujarat. The hidden gem is not commercialized and thus offers unparalleled scenery. Madhavpur beach is where you can be close to the sea even without stepping out of your car. That’s because the road runs right parallel to the beach. Watch some drone footage and you’ll be amazed how the man-made and the natural sit in such sync.
Observe keenly and you’ll find turtle trails in the sand. If you’re lucky enough, you can see the turtles sunbathing in the sands. There are coconut trees surrounding the beach which make the view all the more spectacular. Embark on a road trip to Madhavpur Beach and you’ll see windmills along the way. When you reach the beach, you can either walk along its pristine sand or roll down your windows and take in some fresh air, it’s up to you!
While you’re in Madhavpur, you shouldn’t miss the Madhavraiji Haveli Temple which is dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama. It’s believed that Lord Krishna married Rukmini in Madhavpur village. There’s an annual village fair called ‘Rukmini no choro’ which celebrates the godly union. If it takes place while you’re nearby, you can go click some unique shots.
How To Reach Madhavpur Beach - The beach is just a 30-minute drive away from Porbandar. You can even drive down to Madhavpur Beach from Somnath or Junagadh which are 74 km and 78 km away respectively. The nearest railway station to Madhavpur is Veraval Junction, falling 66 km away.
For a bountiful natural beauty, you should make your move to the Gopnath Beach in the Bhavnagar district. There is abundant natural biodiversity that makes this beach in Gujarat one of a kind. Maybe it was the beach’s beauty and tranquility that pushed Maharaja Krishna Kumar Sinhji of Bhavnagar to make Gopnath his summer retreat.
The spectacular red and white striped lighthouse on Gopnath Beach makes for a good photo opportunity. The limestone cliffs add to the distinct features of this place. You can just sit back on the Gopnath Beach and watch as the migratory birds take their flights over the sea in search of food. Though appealing, the waves of this beach are best not ventured deeply inside. It’s not safe to swim on Gopnath Beach because of a high tidal disparity on the coast.
Tourists visiting the beach often make it a point to visit the Gopnath Mahadev Temple. The 700-year-old temple has a beautiful style of architecture. Its blue domes can be spotted from a distance and make for an amazing view.
How To Reach Gopnath Beach - If you’re coming from Surat, taking a Hazira Ghogha RoPax ferry service from Surat to Bhavnagar will be the shortest route. The closest railway station to the beach is Bhavnagar Terminus which is 75 km away.
It’s impossible to talk of Gujarat beaches and not mention Dwarka Beach. One of the most popular beaches in Gujarat, Dwarka Beach offers you a deep glimpse into marine life.
If you look carefully, you can spot octopuses, urchins, sea turtles, jellyfish, and dolphins in the sea. This brush with aquatic life is what attracts families to bring their kids for some real-world education!
Most visitors at the beach come for the Jagat Mandir or Dwarkadheesh temple on the shore of Dwarka Beach. This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna makes for a breathtaking view against the backdrop of the sea. The best part about Dwarka Beach is the activities it offers. You can go scuba diving, boating, or swimming. Once out of the water, you don’t have to worry a bit about changing. That’s because there are facilities for bathing and changing near Dwarka Beach.
The well-built approach road, neat and clean beach, and ample facilities make Dwarka Beach well-loved amongst both locals and tourists. If you have time left after visiting the beach, you can check out the Dwarka Lighthouse and the Rukmini Devi Temple.
How To Reach Dwarka Beach - Falling just 1.7 km from the Dwarka city center, Dwarka Beach is a 10-min drive from the main city. The beach is well connected through local transport. You’ll easily find buses from a stop just 1.3 km away. The nearest railway station is Dwarka and the nearest airports are Jamnagar Airport and Porbandar Airport.
Just 30 km away from Dwarka Beach is the Okha Madhi Beach. Don’t skip this beautiful beach if you have time on your hands. Unlike Dwarka Beach, this one is quiet and non-commercialized. The lesser crowd means it’s easier to connect with nature. You can learn a thing or two about turtle conservation on the Okha Madhi Beach.
The beach has shiny sand made of crushed seashells. It’s so offbeat and tranquil that it receives less footfall during the off-season. The scarce crowd and zero man made disturbances have ensured the natural beauty of the place stays put. This can be seen through the crystal clear water of the Okha Madhi Beach.
The ruined pillar-like structures on the beach make for a unique frame for some photography. Remember to carry snacks because there are no restaurants or food stalls near the beach. But double-check if you’ve picked all wrappers and left no waste behind!
Also Read: 6 Of The Best Offbeat Beaches In India
How To Reach Okha Madhi Beach - Dwarka is the closest city and Dwarka Railway Station is the closest railway station to Okha Madhi Beach. The nearest airport is Jamnagar which is 138 km away. You can even drive down to the Okha Madhi Beach from Porbandar which is at a distance of 80 km.
This virgin beach near Porbandar is a spectacle waiting to be witnessed. It’s also called Tukda Miyani beach and is famous for its clear water and white sand. Once you’ve had your fill with watersports and drool-worthy food, you can head over to Miyani Beach. This beach is perfect to spend a relaxed evening reading a book or listening to your favorite playlist.
Go on a late afternoon and you’ll see fishing boats standing lazily by the shore. It almost reminds you of an idle virgin beach in Gokarna (if you’ve seen the Karnataka coastline). You can explore your photography skills or just listen to the sound of the waves. Less crowd means crisp undisturbed sounds of the Arabian Sea! Yes, there isn’t much to eat around Miyani Beach, but you’ll have a full stomach after all that view.
How To Reach Miyani Beach - Miyani Beach is 33 km away from Porbandar and Porbandar is well connected to all major cities of Gujarat.
Final Thoughts
While the beaches of Gujarat are beautiful year-round, it’s better to visit them in the winter season. Pleasant cool winters allow you to enjoy the beaches fully, as opposed to the hot itchy summers of Gujarat. The rich smell of the Arabian Sea and the breeze is going to treat your senses. Like when Big B said, ‘Come breathe in a bit of Gujarat’!
What To See In Gujarat?
Somnath Temple, Gir National Park, Sabarmati Ashram, Lukshmi Vilas Palace, Rann of Kutch are some famous places to see in Gujarat. Beaches like Mandvi Beach, Dwarka Beach, Dumas Beach, etc are also some must-visit places in Gujarat.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Gujarat?
November to February is the best time to visit Gujarat. The pleasant weather makes it easier to go sightseeing around the monuments, temples, and beaches in Gujarat. Avoid summers as summers in Gujarat see temperatures soaring upto 41°C.
Which Beaches In Gujarat Have Watersports?
Mandvi Beach, Jallandhar Beach, Tithal Beach, Sarkeshwar Beach, etc are the beaches where you can enjoy water sports in Gujarat.
Which Temples To See In Gujarat?
There are 16 grand temples in Gujarat. Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple in Veraval, Shree Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka, and Nageshvara Jyotirling in Daarukavanam are some of the best temples to see in Gujarat.
What To Eat In Gujarat?
There are many vegetarian delicacies available in Gujarat. The most popular dishes in Gujarat are Undhiyu, Handvo, Surti Locho, Khaman Dhokla, and Gathiya. Don’t forget to wash it all down with some Gujarati Kadhi.
Can Tourists Drink Alcohol In Gujarat?
Yes, tourists can buy and drink liquor in Gujarat. You just have to show your travel tickets and residence proof to prove that you’re just visiting. But there are limitations on the quantity, so it’s better to study the state laws before you go.
Which Language Is Used In Gujarat?
Gujarati is the main language spoken in Gujarat.
Why Is It Called Gujarat?
It's believed that Gujarat was christened after the Gujara tribe who ruled the land between the 8th and 9th century CE.
