India's coastline, extending for nearly 7,000 miles, offers a wide array of beach destinations beyond the commonly known Goa. These alternatives cater to various interests, including surfing, diving, and wildlife observation.
For surfing enthusiasts, Mulki in Karnataka is recognised as India's surf capital, where the country's first surf school was established in 2004. Other surf spots include Puducherry, known for beginner-friendly waves, and Kovalam in Tamil Nadu, which offers both mellow cove waves and firmer point breaks.
The Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep are key locations for diving, with sites like Minerva Ledge in the Andamans and Wall of Wonder in Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep, a group of coral atolls, is noted for visibility up to 50 metres and frequent turtle sightings.
On India's eastern coast, Odisha is a significant destination for wildlife spotting, particularly for observing the mass nesting of olive ridley turtles. Rushikulya beach saw nearly 900,000 turtles nest in 2025, although numbers can fluctuate, with 205,000 recorded over four days in 2026.