Blue Flag certifications are a comprehensive set of requirements to be met by beaches, marinas, and sustainable boat tourism operators. As part of the effort to develop model beaches in every coastal state or UT in India, this project was started in 2017–2018. Eight of the thirteen proposed were given the blue flag beach accreditation. Four more were added on later, raising the number to its current twelve. It is an eco-label that is recognized globally and is awarded based on 33 criteria. These requirements are broken down into four main categories: bathing water quality, environmental management, conservation and safety services, and environmental education and information.
1. Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach (formerly Covelong Beach) was certified as a blue flag beach in 2021. It is located in Covelong, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is a popular tropical paradise with azure waters and golden sands. The crescent-shaped boundary holds three beaches – Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, and Samudra Beach. It offers thrilling water sports, surfing, and breathtaking scenery. Kovalam Beach fulfilled 33 requirements to be certified, which included having CCTV covering the beach area, lifeguard towers and a control room, trained paramedical personnel to provide first aid, and safe swimming areas supervised by lifeguards. In addition, there are designated restrooms and parking spaces on the beach for people with disabilities.
2. Shivrajpur Beach
In October 2020, Shivrajpur Beach was awarded the Blue Flag certification. It is located 12 km from Dwarka. Shivrajpur Beach’s rocky outcrops, white sands and meandering waters are serene and ideal for swimming. It is a wheelchair-accessible, solar-powered beach. Dolphins are a popular tourist attraction. Partake in water sports and adventure activities, such as jet skiing, boating, scuba diving, snorkelling, bumper riding, bike riding, camel riding, sofa riding, banana riding, and paragliding. The development of Shivrajpur Beach is managed by the Gujarat Ecology Commission.
3. Rushikonda Beach
Rushikonda Beach consists of immaculate golden sand, crystal-clear blue waves, and verdant surroundings. It is situated in Rushikonda Hills, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. The beach is well-known for its amenities, which include a nice, clean swimming area and beach security. The infrastructure and tourism development projects are managed by The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA). Enjoy water sports like swimming, water skiing, and surfing.
4. Golden Beach
Golden Beach or Puri Beach, is the first Asian blue flag beach located in Puri, Orissa, besides the Bay of Bengal. It features solar-powered buildings, a great waste management system, and no plastic. It is both a tourist destination and a sacred place for the Hindus. In addition to an array of sand art exhibits, including pieces by award-winning sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, the beach is the site of the yearly Puri Beach Festival. Golden Beach is well-known for its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.
5. Radhanagar Beach
Radhanagar Beach, located on Havelock Island in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is among the world’s best. Times Magazine ranked it the 7th best beach in the world in 2004. The beach is well-known for its clear turquoise waters, spotless white sands, and environmentally friendly lodging. One must fawn at the sunrise and sunset. On the shore’s edges stand vendors who serve up fresh, delectable seafood along with drinks. Additionally, beach beds, umbrellas, and parasols can be reserved. Elephant Beach and Radhanagar Beach are close by, so mahouts may be seen bringing their elephants for joyrides. The lifeguards are always on patrol for security.
6. Kappad Beach
Kozhikode, Kerala is home to the village and beach known as Kappad, or Kapakadavu. In addition to being spotless and serene, Kappad Beach is also breathtaking to look at. It is believed that Vasco-da-Gama first entered India in 1498 through its shores. As a result of this exploration, a permanent route was established for Europeans to travel to India. The shoreline is adorned with palm trees and sedimentary rocks, which create a tranquil atmosphere for all who visit. Swimming, boating, beach sports, paragliding, snorkelling, and surfing are all excellent sports to avail on the Kappad beach. You can use houseboats to get a taste of the backwaters. In addition to the Pookat Lake and the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Kappad Beach is the place to beat.
7. Padubidri Beach
Padubidri Beach is located along the Arabian Sea in Padubidri, Karnataka‘s Udupi district. The beach management has installed proper footpaths to walk around the beach. Additionally, this beach is litter-free. Padubidri Beach is renowned for its calm beaches and breathtaking scenery. Although it does not currently have a Blue Flag designation, the beach is acknowledged for its efforts to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment.
8. Eden Beach
The Blue Flag certification was given to Eden Beach, Chinna Veerampattinam, Puducherry, by Denmark’s Foundation for Environment Education in 2019. This makes it the first beach in the Union Territory to hold this distinction. Visitors can enjoy a tranquil beach vacation here thanks to the Bay of Bengal’s turquoise waters and spotless sand beaches. It is situated between Paradise Beach and Arts and Crafts Village. With features like sit-out umbrella huts, a watchtower, an amphitheatre, scuba diving, and backwaters, Eden Beach is a relaxing time. It offers some mesmerizing sunrise views. As you enter the beach, the Chunnambar River’s backwaters and dense palm trees greet you.
9. Ghoghla Beach
Although Ghoghla Beach in Ghoghla, Diu is less frequented, its beach and water sports amenities are quite remarkable. It boasts golden sand, crystal-clear water, orderly surroundings, and regular tides, providing a peaceful atmosphere. Ghoghla Beach features bio-toilet blocks with ergonomic designs, changing rooms, and recreational facilities like kid-friendly parks and an open gym. Water scooters, parasailing, surfing, and banana boat rides are some more beachside adventure sports here.
10. Kasarkod Beach
Kasarkod Beach is situated in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, at Honavar. At the beach, you can find impressive solid waste management, greywater treatment plants, an impressive old lighthouse, a solar lighting facility, clean drinking water facilities, restrooms, changing areas, seating areas, and a first-aid room. The beach has white sand and is surrounded by casuarina trees. The beach, created by the Forest and Tourism Department of Karnataka, is the state’s premier eco-tourist destination. Kasarkod Beach is the perfect place for vacationers looking for a little peace.
11. Minicoy Thundi Beach
Minicoy Thundi Beach, with its immaculate white sand and glistening turquoise waters, is an excellent vacation spot. Snorkelers and divers will love the coral reefs that encircle the beach. Minicoy Thundi Beach is among the most exquisite and pristine beaches in the Lakshadweep archipelago. It offers fantastic recreational facilities for tourists to use. The explorers can enjoy a captivating underwater experience as the kaleidoscope of colourful coral formations is revealed. It has a distinctive cultural fusion shaped by Indian and Maldivian customs. In addition to taking part in cultural exchanges and getting to know the local communities, visitors can also experience traditional hospitality. Minicoy Thundu Beach is known for its Marine conservation awareness program. Responsible tourism practices are required of visitors to protect fragile ecosystems and biodiversity.
12. Kadmat Beach
Lakshadweep’s Kadmat Beach is a picture-perfect location. Among Kadmat Beach‘s best features are its brilliant coral reefs, clear turquoise waters, swaying coconut palms, and powdery white sands. The Arabian Sea’s azure waves are an escapist reality. There are beaches all along the island’s length. It boasts a temperate climate and amiable residents. Although getting to Kadmat Beach necessitates coordinating with the Lakshadweep government and securing the required permits, the effort is well worth it because Kadmat Beach is an unspoiled paradise. The island is hence relatively empty by its restricted accessibility.
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