Travel Guide

The most famous beaches in Gujarat are Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Chorwad Beach, Somnath Beach, Gopnath Beach, Dwaraka Beach, Kutch Mandvi Beach, Nagoa Beach, Ghoghla Beach and Gomtimata Beach.

Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach

Mandvi is one of the finest beaches on the Gujarat shoreline. The beach is white and firm, ideal for walks, and the water perfect for swimming. Seemingly unending, with sands ideal for castle building by kids, and shallow waters for a wading, this is a great spot for a family holiday. A variety of water sports like Water scooters, Skiing, Surfing, Para sailing, Speed boat trips can be had. Ahmedpur Mandvi is at the border of the Union Territory Diu.

Chorwad Beach

Chorwad, a small fishing village is a great place to enjoy. Chorwad is famous for rocky shores and boat riding. It is also a base to visit places like Porbandar, Somnath etc. A resort is there which was previously a palace built by Nawab Saheb Mohabbat Khan as a vacation spot on hot summer days where he held weddings of his dogs, royal banquets and processions amidst cool breezes from the sea.

Somnath Beach

The Somnath beach is unshaded but lovely. The most spectacular sight of beach is the fishing port, where thousands of trawlers, country crafts and dhows can be seen unloading their catch.

Gopnath Beach

Gopnath is just 80 kms from Bhavnagar. It was the summer home of Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singhji of Bhavnagar. The breathtakingly beautiful sea coast with it’s spectacular limestone cliffs and great views, sea breezes and colourful birdlife, must have made an excellent break from the city during the summer months. The Gopnath beach has firm sands for walking and shallow shore waters for wading. But the high tidal difference of the coast, makes the water murky and not very inviting for a long swim. Gopnath is the base for some spectacular sightseeing.

Dwaraka Beach

Dwaraka is an important city for Hindu Pilgrimage. The city is famous for the Dwarkadish temple or Jagat Mandir. Today it is not only a major pilgrimage site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday. Dwaraka has fine stretches of beach and though crowded by pilgrims one can always find quiet spots too. Large number of birds could be seen on the coast. There is a small island covered with temples, a white beach, coral reefs and extensive marine life. Dolphins and porpoise can be seen on the surface, sea turtles, octopus, star fish, sea urchins etc. inhabit the beach.

Beyt Dwarka

Located 37 kms from Somnath, this beach was once home to the royal palace of the Nawab of Junagadh. Today it remains in a ruined state. The beach is unsafe for swimming, but it is relatively clean, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the ocean breeze. It does not offer any accomodation facilities but serves as an ideal excursion from Somnath.

Kutch Mandvi Beach

Another fine beach in Gujarat is in Mandvi, a historic port town of the Maharao’s of Kutch. The port of Mandvi was an important sea trade post between the near east and the far east which brought prosperity to the Royal family. Mandvi town was important city for the Maharaos of Bhuj being endowed with some splendid palaces and buildings. For peace and tranquility, visit the Maharao’s private beach, accessible for a fee. Watch the sunset from the pavillion. Mandvi beach has lovely blue waters, lots of birds, sandy beaches and colourful fishing points. Next to the beach are the docks where wooden ships are built.

Nagoa Beach

Nagoa Beach is located in the Nagoa hamlet of the Bucharwada village in Diu. Diu Island lies on the offshore of Gujarat mainland, yet it has the feeling of being on a Mediterranean island. Nagoa Beach stretches for about 2 km from one end to the other. This long, palm-fringed beach is very beautiful and quiet and is in the horse-shoe shape. This beach is one of the most beautiful, white sanded, crescent shaped beach and perfect for swimming, wading, relaxing and for water sports like jet skiing, knee board surfing, pony and camel riding.

Ghoghla Beach

Ghoghla Beach is one of the most beautiful beach in Diu. This beach also offers various water sports facilities like parasailing etc.

Gomtimata Beach

Gomtimata Beach is located on the western end of the Diu island. This is one of the best beaches of the region, long and secluded and spread with natural white sand.

Dumas – Surat

Dumas Beach is an urban beach along the Arabian Sea located 21 kilometres (13 mi) southwest of Surat City. This beach is famous for its black sand. It is a popular tourist destination in south Gujarat. Apart from the beach, places of interest at Dumas including the Dariya Ganesh Temple located adjacent to the main beach

Gogha beach –  Bhavnagar

Ghogha beach is an apt place to pass time watching the waves change their colour.It has a famous Kali Ka Mandir or Temple which draws lot of pilgrims during weekends. A good beach for long walks.

Dandi Beach – Surat

The Salt marshes of Dandi were the site for one of the most important events in india’s Independence Movemnet.In 1930,Mahatma Gandhi undertook the Salt Satyagraha protesting against the British salt laws.He Walked from Ahmedabad with a group of followers that kept growing at each stage of his protest march. At Dandi, he plucked a handful of saline mud and seawater, producing salt in producing salt in protest against the British monopoly on salt production.This simple act got much national support and is credited with breaking the back of the Raj in India.

Gopnath Mahadev Temple and Beach – Bhavnagar

Located on the shore of the seaside on the Gulf of Khambat, this Shiva temple is where the devotional poet Narsinh Mehta supposedly had his spiritual experience almost 500 years ago. Set on the seashore, the temple is an ideal spot for all wanting a spiritual and natural trip. The coast in this area is full of tiny islands and offers a picturesque delight to the onlooker.

Mahuva Beach  – Mahuva

This picturesque beach is close to the ancient Bhavani Temple which is frequented by Gujarati pilgrims. It is well known for its tranquil waters and natural beautify. Nature lovers visiting the beach enjoy the breath-taking scenic beauty. It is a favourite both with locals as well as visitors to the city.

Tithal Beach – Valsad

Situated on the coastline of Valsad, Daman(a union territory)is divided into two areas, Moti Daman, Split by the Damanganaga River.After the Portuguese successfully infiltrated Goa, they searched for a coastal territory in Gujarat to conduct trade. They landed in Daman, and 1531, the Guajrat Sultan agreed to hand the territory over to the Europeun power in exchange for a share in their customs revenue. The port thrived in trade and was more important than Diu for the Portuguese. Daman became part of the Indian Union in 1961.

The town is worth a day trip if you are interested in seeing the ligering influences of Portuguese colonialism,especially in moti daman.The beaches hoewer, are far from paradise and often packed with drunken local tourists who flock to this popular drinking destination. Of the two former Portuguese territories touching Gujarat, Diu is no doubt the more attractive destination.

The imposing Moti Daman Fort was built from 1559-93 over an area once occupied any a small Muslim citadel. It spreads over three hectares in a polygonal layout. Just outside the fort is Church of our Lady of the Remedies, built at the begining of the 17th sanctury. Although outwardly simple, the interior is stunning with golden cherubs, rose petals and excellent woodwork. The Badrapore District retains a Portuguese influence in its winding lanes and small house.

In Nani Daman, the Fort of St jerome, completed in 1627, covers 12 ha with a striking gateway facing the river. A status of St jerome crowns the entrance with two imposing human figures standing guard.You can walk along the ramparts and get a view of the surrounding area. Another prominent building is the church of our Lady of the Sea. The local claim that an underground passage conects this fort to the one in Moti Daman.

This beach is famous for its black sand. It is a popular tourist destination in south Gujarat. The main beach has several shops selling Indian snacks like Bhajiya, Dabeli, Bhel chaat, sweet corn roasted on charcoal, and also freshly prepared sugar cane juice, coconut water and souvenirs.