TOP 10: The BEST beaches in India

Travel website TripAdvisor recently announced its list of top beaches in India that were chosen by millions of travellers across the world. Check out which beach destinations made it to the top ten list.

With one of the world's longest coastline, the beach options in India are countless. So the good folks at Tripadvisor put together this consolidated list of beaches in India you absolutely must visit. Is your favourite beach on the list?

About 8km from Vishkhapatnam is the pristine Rishikonda Beach offers everything a no-frills beach should. Enjoy the meandering road that leads to the beach, spread out your mats and soak in the beauty with a chain of hills on one side and the ocean on the other.

Best time to go: October - March

Hire an auto rickshaw from Agonda or ride down on a scooter you've hired and head to this breathtaking beach with its fresh sweet water lagoon. A largely unspoilt beach, Cola offers a perfect getaway from the bustle of city life with little else but the sun and the sea.

Best time to go: November - April

If its bazaar on the beach you're looking for, Candolim is the place to go. From cheap clothes to massages, you can get pretty much what you want. Head towards the Sinquerim end of the beach to get some water sports action or just take a walk and simply soak in the touristy Goa experience.

Best time to go: November - April

If you're young and have  lived anywhere in the radius of 500 km of Goa, it's very unlikely you've never been to Baga. Besides the standard banana boat rides and other beach sports, Baga is also known for its shacks, parties and restaurants. As a Tripadvisor user recommends: Don't miss Zanzibar during the day and St. Anthony's for karaoke every night. For those who want to relax and enjoy some pubs, do not miss Kamakis and Cape Town Cafe on the Tito's lane.

Unlike many of the busy and bustling beaches in North Goa, Mandrem is a sight for sore eyes. A Tripadvisor user writes: One gets the experience of having your own private beach here. Other than 3-4 foreigners exercising or surfing, the beach was all for ourselves. White beautiful sand with small crab holes, white storks, beautiful waves worth swimming and surfing was a real treat which my wife and I really enjoyed. Unlike other beaches in North Goa, you will not be hassled by hawkers or vendors."

Best time to go: November - April

The Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam is one of the cleaner and safer beaches of Kerala that sees a healthy mix of western and Indian tourists. As a traveller writes on Tripadvisor, the many restaurants and tourist shops along the beach aren't necessarily a drawback and sun-beds and parasols are available at a reasonable price.

The waters are fairly safe though the lifeguards are extra cautious to not let anyone venture in too far. 

Best time to go: September - March

The only beach is southern Kerala where you can find cliffs along the Arabian Sea, Varkala is also known for its numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these very cliffs.

Varkala is a haven for sun-bathing and swimming as well as a great place to hang out and watch the sun set in the Arabian Sea.

Best time to go: September - March

Also very clean and sans a lot of dogs, the Cavelossim Beach is a fine place to head to if all you want to do is eat and chill out.

A Tripadvisor user who visited it earlier this month writes: "It makes a nice change to sit and watch the sunset on the beach away from your hotel... The (proximity) of the village was an advantage, but it (isn't) too near as to be intrusive; the beach is fabulous and by the time we arrive there were enough sun-beds at each beach shack."

Best time to go: November - April

Unlike most of the beaches on Havelock Island that only have a number, Radhanagar has a name and is the most beautiful spot on the island.

Rent a bike to ride to the beach and enjoy the pristine surroundings.

Be amazed by the white sands and clean waters as you hit the sea for a swim. There are no water sports allowed says a traveller who visited it recently but swimming is permitted between 8am and 4pm.

The sun sets at 5pm so remember to carry a torch light if you want to stay after sunset.

Best time to go: November - April

By some descriptions Agonda is what Palolem used to be a few years ago. A lovely drive from Cancona and Colva beaches, away from the bustle of city traffic Agonda Beach is a great find. Rent out a shack for as little as Rs 500, stretch yourself out and enjoy or engage in a bit of body surfing since the waves here are bigger and waters fairly safe. What more can you ask out of life, right?

Best time to go: November - April