Top Coastal Drives In India: Enjoy The Sea Breeze On These Scenic Routes

India has over than 7500 km of coastline, and if you really want to experience it, you have to go on a road trip. It has the potential to make you feel better than any train or plane trips. When you travel in the car with windows rolled down and salty ocean breeze hitting your face, then the beauty of these coastal roads hits you. Out of the many incredible coastal road trips in India, here are the top five, consisting of stunning views, local cultures, amazing off-the-boat seafood, and lots of places to take pictures.

Mumbai to Goa



Driving through this 600 kilometres stretch, you will be going through untouched palm forests, beautiful small villages by the coast and serene towns like Alibaug, Ratnagiri, and Ganpatipule. You will be able to appreciate and enjoy the fresh and delectable seafood, visit ancient beach temples, and witness the historical Murud-Janjira sea fort that is the only unconquered fortress in the Arabian Sea. To top it all, you will be seeing the perfect amalgamated view of the ocean on one side of the coast and lush green hills on the other. The entire journey is a legend in its own right, and living through it, you will realize the reason.

Chennai to Puducherry: Famous East Coast Road



The East Coast Road, which travels 160 km, is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in India. Driving the car besides the Bay of Bengal takes you from Chennai urban vibe to a more relaxed Puducherry French vibe. On the way is recommended halt at Mahabalipuram with its UNESCO-listed sea temples, and the temples/pristine beaches carved by ancient artists.
Not just that, as soon as you enter Puducherry and its French quarter its colourful architecture brings an unmistakable and unique European and Tamil charm. The ocean breeze and sunrises are gentle and spectacular, with a positive atmosphere around the whole drive.

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Maravanthe Beach Highway



As you travel the highway from Mengaluru to Goa, the Arabian Sea breaks on one side and the quiet Souparnika River flows on the other. It is a moment and location that is almost too real to be true. That stretch is perfect for sunset photos, as the local fisherman bring in the day's catch at the roadside shacks. If you have extra time, add in a stop in nearby Udupi (a temple town also, which is also a foodie paradise) and Murudeshwar, which has a huge Shiva statue standing by the sea, quite a sight in itself.

Rameshwaram to Dhanushkodi: Where Two Seas Meet



This 20 km road makes you feel tranquil when you are literally driving on a narrow strip of land with ocean on both sides, providing an amazing and unique experience. Your destination is Dhanushkodi, a ghost town that was once destroyed by a cyclone in 1964. The sense of being at the edge is haunting, adding an experience you won't forget in a hurry. Do remember to visit between 8 AM and 5 PM for safety, and the views are best during these hours.

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Varkala to Kanyakumari



This drive in Kerala's south is also very special in its own right. With the journey from Varkala, with its famous red cliffs rising above the Arabian Sea, there are cafes perched on those cliffs where you can chill with a coffee and watch the waves below. Then you pass through coconut groves, sleepy fishing villages, and eventually reach Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of Indian mainland, where three seas meet. The temples have deep spiritual significance, the beaches are peaceful, and the sunsets are absolutely unreal. Watching the sun dip into the ocean at the point where three seas converge is a bucket-list moment.

Quick Road trip Tips for Coastal Drives

Check the weather and road conditions before you hit the road specially in the monsoons. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen as that coastal sun is strong, a good hat, and obviously your camera or phone for all those photos. Head to local family-run joints for local cusines where the real magic happens, fresh catch cooked in the traditional way. Stop often, speak to locals, take random detours, and don't rush. If traveling in peak season like winter months do book your hotels and homestays in advance since good places fill up fast.