Beaches
A visit to the gujarat beaches is an emotional one. You can spend hours just staring at the clear blue waters with not a sound to disturb you, except the twittering of a bird or dropping of the leaves.
Ahmedpur Mandvi
Ahmedpur-Mandvi, on the coastline of Gujarat, is one of the finest beaches in India. A part of Junagarh district, this place is well connected with rail and road network to other places in the region.
Ahmedpur-Mandvi is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat at around 288 km from Ahmedabad. The place is a part of Junagarh district lying between Latitude 21o 31' in the North to Longitude 70o 36' in the East.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The place can be visited round the year, but winter is the best time to venture in this area. Ideal months are October to March. Though the climate is never harsh, it remains between 20 - 28o C making it the best time to visit this are.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The beach is white and firm, ideal for walks, and the water perfect for swimming. A variety of Water sports options are on offer-water scooting, skiing, surfing, para sailing, and speedboating.
Private Beaches - Some of the cottage resorts provide private beaches for the guests. Other facilities include air-conditioned rooms, pleasant lawns, and palm grooves.
PLACES AROUND AHMEDPUR-MANDVI
Across the bridge from Ahmedpur Mandvi, Diu Island comes as a real, pleasant surprise. It lies just a few minutes offshore from the mainland of Gujarat, yet has retained the feel of an island in the Mediterranean. Nothing can quite prepare one for the treasure-trove of Portuguese colonial period architecture in downtown Diu, the absolutely superb Baroque facades of churches and public buildings, the bungalows of the Christian quarter with their pastel shaded walls and truss roofs, and even the havelis of the Zampa area, which are rather European in design-trellised terraces and galleries, classical columns, broad verandahs, porticoes-then Gujarati.
Chorwad is a new beach resort developed by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the place is not far away from Ahmedpur Mandvi.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Keshod around 145 km, which is connected to Mumbai with regular flights.
BY RAIL - Delwada railway station is situated around 9 km from Ahmedpur-Mandvi and connected to the Ahmedabad-Veraval line.
BY ROAD - State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Ahmedpur- Mandvi with various centers of Gujarat.
Bet Dwarka
Dwarka(Jamnagar district) in ancient Anarta (Saurashtra) was the capital of Lord Krishna's terrestrial kingdom. He shifted to Kusasthali which was the old name of the region to escape the harassing raids of Kamsa's father-in-law Jarasandha on Mathura after Krishna had killed Kamsa. Kusasthali was Krishna's ancestral place on his mother's side. It was founded by Raivata, his Yadava ancestor after he had lost his kingdom to Punyajanas and migrated to Mathura for safety; then he came back to found Kusasthali. So Krishna's migration to the Dwarka was in the reverse order.
Dwarka which was known as Suvarna Dwarka (the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna's time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea. Tradition has itthat Krishna's residence was at Bet Dwarka, a few kms from the mainland Dwarka.
The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The pataka or flag of the temple is changed three times a day. Pilgrims and devotees vie with one another to pay for the flag. There are special tailors to stitch it. Before hoisting the flag it is taken round the temple by the donor. The five-storeyed temple stands on 60 pillars. The pilgrims enter the temple by Swarg Dwar (the gateway of heaven) and leave by Moksh Dwar (the gateway of salvation).
The temple has rich carvings. The ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners alike from its inception. It is one of the important moksh dhams. The Gomti River flows nearby.
The other temples in Dwarka are the Trikamji temple, Kalyanrai temple, the Patrani temple, Durvas temple, etc. Sharda Pith set up by Adi Shankaracharya imparts instruction in Sanskrit. Darukvan in the region is one of the Jyotirlingas.
How To Reach
Air
Nearest Airport is Jamnagar (146 Kms.)
Rail
Connects Dwarka and Jamnagar, 132 kms. away. Connecting Mumbai (945 kms.) via Rajkot (270 kms.) and Ahmedabad (453 kms.). Dwarka lies on the metre gauge link between Viramgam and Okha.
Road
Chorwad
Many decades ago, Mohabat Khan, the Nawab of Junagarh chanced upon the sleepy seaside hamlet of Chorwad and saw its potential as an ideal summer resort cooled by fresh sea breezes from the Arabian Sea-an escape from the clammy, energy-snapping heat of Junagarh (also Junagadh). There are many beaches on the Gujarat border that make ideal summer retreats.
Built in the 1930s, the spacious Chorwad Palace with its impressive façade, elegant interiors, projecting porticos and balconies and large arched windows reflects an interesting blend of Italian, Muslim and colonial influences. The ambience and ethos of a royal bygone era have been recreated in the Palace. Luxurious rooms with exquisite décor, marble bathtubs, exclusive lounges, swimming pools, game and card rooms, video, and exotic seafood await guests at the Chorwad Palace. Overall, Chorwad has rooms to suit every budget and taste-a choice of palace, cottage, deluxe, and economy rooms.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Chorwad is amongst the often visited beaches on the Gujarat border. Outside, thoughtfully landscaped gardens and casuarinas which move gently in perfect rhythm with the wind complement the palace façade to provide a dream-like backdrop to horse-riding along the beach (the Kathiawadi thoroughbreds of the Junagarh Nawabs were once housed in the Palace), simply soaking in the sun or lazing on the shimmering sands or in the cool of some romantic nigh, walking along sands washed by the tide and silvered by the moon.
Visitors throng most of the beaches on the Gujarat border. Visitors who are interested in swimming usually cross the fishermen's jetty and walk across to another beach where the sea is not as rough as on the seafront spread before the palace. But the majority of visitors to Chorwad are content to let the water lap gently against their toes and surrender themselves to the magical royal quality of the sands of Chorwad.
HOW TO REACH CHORWAD
Chorwad one of the beaches on the Gujarat border is easily accessible. Chorwad, 20 kilometers from Veraval and 70 kilometers from Junagarh, can be reached by air (Keshod, the nearest airport, is only 35 kilometers away), by road and by rail (the nearest railway station is at Veraval).
Air :
Chorwad is 40 kms. from Keshod Airport.
Rail :
The nearest railway station is Chorwad on the Ahmedabad-Veraval railway line.
Diu
It is one of the country's finest beaches, and tourists who keep falling in love with it have spread its name all over the world.
The island is also dotted by three Portuguese churches one which has been converted into a museum housing some rare Portuguese artifacts.
Another cynosure at Diu is the Fort of Diu, an imposing statement of power.
Diu is a quiet secluded island measuring less than 40 sq.km. Off the west coast of India, it is connected to the mainland of Gujarat by a causeway. The total length of the coastline of Diu does not exceed 21 km.
This beautiful island in the Arabian Sea has the river Chasi running along its northern frontier. It's neat golden beaches run along merrily providing blissful solitude in blue waters beneath blu skies.
A former Portuguese enclave, Diu is perhaps the most exotic destination on the West Coast of India. Gently rocked by the winds and waves of the Arabian Sea, Diu is an ideal retreat. It offers the most desirable blend of sun, sand and sea. The climate is pleasant throughout the year. Nobody and nothing is in a hurry. Here you will find undisturbed peace and a unique holiday.
WHAT TO SEE
Nagoa Beach
Fortress of Panikot
St. Paul's Church
Jallandhar Shrine
Gangeshwar Temple
Navlakha Parshvanath Temple
Jama Masjid
Diu Museum
Musical Fountain At Collector Office
St. Thomas Church – Museum
Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Ghoghla Beach
INS Khukri Memorial
How to get there:
Air :
Nearest airport is Junagadh, which is connected to Mumbai via Keshod, Porbandar and Rajkot.
Rail :
It is well connected to Rajkot, Veraval and Ahmedabad.
Road :
Luxury and Semi luxury buses (private and state transport) are easily available. Cars of various types are also available on hire.
Dumas
Dumas is known for the health resort that is situated in the south east of Surat city. Tourists can savor the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea from Dumas. The ideal time to visit Surat in Gujarat is from the months of October to March. The weather in Dumas remains very pleasant during this time of the year and tourists can enjoy to their heart's content while they stay in this health resort.
The health resort in Dumas offers accommodation to tourists. They can book rooms in the cottages in Dumas. The cottages are equipped with modern day facilities and the hospitable atmosphere is ever welcoming to the tourists. The health resort helps not only to cure the ailments of the body but it also helps to rejuvenate one's soul and body
How to get there :
Air :
Various domestic airlines connect Mumbai and Bhavnagar to Surat.
Rail :
Surat is a main junction on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahmedabad broad gauge line.
Road :
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. Surat is 262 kms. from Mumbai, 129 kms. from Baroda and 230 kms. from Ahmedabad.
Gopnath Beach
A beautiful hamlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat and at a distance of 10 Kms from Talaja, the taluka headquarter of Bhavnagar district is Gopnath. Vying for eminence on the tourist circuit with development of a heritage hotel- Gopnath Bungalow, it was a pleasant sea-shore retreat of Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar. The bungalow built in a European colonial style with cottages and mansions surrounding the courtyard faces the sea and offers a beautiful view of the gulf . It attracts marine life and birdwatching enthusiasts to the rocky shores on the coast. It is also renowed for the temple of Gopnath Mahadev, where Narsinh Mehta is believed to have performed penance.
How to get there :
Air :
Various domestic airlines connect Bhavnagar with Mumbai and Surat.
Rail :
It is on the Western Railway Line. It is 761 kms. from Mumbai via Ahmedabad and 788 kms. via Viramgam.
Road :
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 kms. from Mumbai via Ahmedabad and 200 kms. from Ahmedabad via Sihor.
Hazira
The industrial capital of South Gujarat, Hajira is situated 28 kms. from Surat. The pleasant Hajira beach is fringed by feathery casurina trees and has a comfortable holiday home for the visitors. This place is home to the biggest industrial powerhouses in the nation. Hajira has two wells with water rich in iron and sulphur. The beach is well-known for health resorts on the creek of the Arabian Sea.
The beaches around Surat are 'exclusive'-each one of them a charmed place where it is easy to lose one's heart to seaside sunrises and sunsets of exquisite beauty. Lying on the soft sands kissed by the golden sun with the blue sky above and the haunting sound of the sea in one's ears can be a powerfully evocative experience in which one can absorb the trinity of land, sea and sky in a rare, wonderful unison.
How to get there :
Air :
Various domestic airlines connect Mumbai and Bhavnagar to Surat.
Rail :
Surat is a main junction on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahmedabad broad gauge line.
Road :
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. Surat is 262 kms. from Mumbai, 129 kms. from Baroda and 230 kms. from Ahmedabad.
Mandvi
Mandvi Beach is one of the finest deluxe camps situated along the 1666km long Gujarat coastline.
Mandvi, founded in 1581 A.D. is an ancient seaport. It is well known for its production of handicraft items particularly its relief, filigree and enamel work and its virtually unspoilt sea beaches. The Rukmavati bridge is the longest stone bridge, built in 1883 A.D. and the Vijay Vilas palace are the major tourist spots in this destination.
Mandvi is situated about 75 kms. from Bhuj.
One of India’s best-kept secrets, the deluxe camp at Mandvi Beach is part of the private beach estate of the Maharaos (rulers of Kutch) which is completely safe, secured from outside visitors and privately-owned.
While the sun-kissed sands and warm tropical waters make Mandvi Beach a great holiday destination, Mandvi’s Palace is one of the grandest in Gujarat state and has a museum of princely heirlooms. The palace estate has been the location for filming many Bollywood Blockbusters.
Here, we offer you the opportunity to enjoy the beach, the palaces of Mandvi, the handicrafts and monuments of the rest of Kutch district, and birdwatching along the northern coast of the Gulf of Kutch including the flamingo-rich Mandvi creek while staying in the air-conditioned comfort of the royal-style tented deluxe camp with an old-world ambience and contemporary facilities.
How to get there:
Air :
Flights are available from Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Rail :
New Bhuj Railway Station is 1 km. north of Bhuj. Direct trains on the meter guage line from Ahmedabad and on the broad guage line for Mumbai.
Rozi and Bedi Ports
These are attractive seaside picnic spots and offer good fishing facilities. Rozi and Bedi Ports are two important ports on the shore of the mighty Arabian Sea. The two seaports offer wonderful sites for picnic. The seashore also provides for excellent opportunities for angling which is a popular pastime at Jamnagar.
How to get there :
Air :
Various domestic airlines connect Jamnagar to Mumbai.
Rail :
On the Western Railway with direct connections to Ahmedabad.
Road :
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Jamnagar with various centres of Gujarat.
Tithal
Tithal is situated 100 Kms from Surat and 5 kms from Valsad on the Mumbai-Vadodara Western Railway. Tithal has also got a beautiful sandy beach and dipping here is much safer than Ubharat. The fine sandy beach with a backdrop of shady palm groves. It is a beautiful sandy beach with palm-sheltered cottages.
The former Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai and Bhulabhai Desai, a notable freedom fighter, were from Valsad. Also, the parents of British rocker Freddie Mercury were also from Valsad.
The city and surrounding areas, famous for its farms and trading of Alphonso mangos (known locally as Haafus), still retain this business as one of the main segments of their economy.
The sea-coast town of Tithal on the Arabian sea is about 5 km to the west of city of Valsad, and is flocked by the young and elderly inhabitants of the city during the evenings. Tithal also has a temple dedicated to Sai Baba of Shirdi and another of Swaminarayan sect on the beach, which draws many devotees and tourists from the District and the surrounding areas.