10 Surfing Spots in India

Though it may not be a very good time to go surfing in these days of COVID-19, we could plan it for the future.

There are tons of top surfing spots in India, most remain undiscovered. The surfing culture arrived a bit late in the country. Despite the impressive Indian waves, most beaches in India are not developed or marketed as surfing spots.

However, over the years, more and more beachside companies start offering surfing lessons. Now, the sport has become one of the common activities during weekends and free time. One of the advantages of going to India for surfing is that there aren’t a lot of surfers flocking to the beaches.

Top Surfing Spots in India

India isn’t known for the biggest waves in the world. However, you can ride some impressive ones depending on the season. The country usually has calmer tides that would fit beginner surfers, especially from April to May and October to November, or before and after the wet season. If you are looking for more extreme tides to ride on, the best time to surf in India would be during the monsoon season.

If you are looking for the top surfing spots in India, here’s the top ten list that should be on your bucket list.

#1. Mulki, Karnataka

If you are looking for the top surfing spots in India, the number one spot would be the birthplace of the surfing culture in the country. Mulki is the home of Indian surfing, which is on the west coast of Karnataka. You can experience a wide range of waves and difficulty levels on the beaches of Mulki.

The Mantra Surf Club in Mulki hosts up to a thousand surfers every year. courtesy ravi shankar paranjpe / mantra surf club. Mulki surfing
The Mantra Surf Club in Mulki hosts up to a thousand surfers every year.
Image courtesy Ravi Shankar Paranjape / mantra surf club

Most of the time, the tides in the area are great for beginner surfers. However, if you visit Mulki before and during the monsoon season, you’ll mostly get challenging and intense waves. During this time, not a lot of surfers will go to the area since the tides can be very tricky, and only daredevils try to charge the swells.

#2. Goa Beach

If you are an experienced surfer, one of the top surfing spots in India for thrilling waves would be the Goa Beach. If you visit the area during the best season, you can ride massive waves that range from five to ten feet in height. Goa Beach is famous as the land of magic and adventure for a reason.

The best time to visit Goa Beach for its giant waves would be between May and June. Other times, you’ll still get good waves but much calmer ones, which are ideal for newbies with their funboards or for practicing your wave-riding skills.

#3. Kovalam Beach, Kerala

Situated in the southern part of India, Kovalam Beach is one of the popular and top surfing spots in India. There is a beach break in the area where you can get both right and left waves, and both are extremely powerful and fast. Although the tides can be pretty intense, the surf spot can usually cater to both beginner and intermediate surfers.

There are also local surfing schools on the beachside if you want to learn the sport. The best time to visit Kovalam Beach would be during mid and high tides.

#4. Vizag, Andhra Pradesh

Vizag is the only surf city in India and for good reasons. Right at the heart of the city, you can find empty line-ups and a lot of scenic bays that produce a wide range of waves. Surfing is yet to catch popularity in the area, so you’ll mostly have the surf to yourself.

Most of the time, it is where you can find pro athletes going surfing because it’s less crowded. The area experiences occasional storms and cyclones, which usually bring a lot of massive waves.

#5. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Mahabalipuram or Mahabs is another one of the top surfing spots in India. It’s not only popular for its iconic and majestic temples, but its right-hand point break as well. It provides an impressive series of waves for power surfing and tube riding.

Mahabalipuram surfing
This photo of Mumu Surf School is courtesy of Tripadvisor

If you are looking to ride big swells, the best time to visit Mahabs would be between May and November.

#6. Varkala Beach

One of the advantages of going to Varkala Beach is its impressive landscape. It has a gentle atmosphere and waves as well. It’s one of the best spots to go to if you want to try your hand at surfing. The waves in Varkala Beach are not intense, which is ideal for newbies.

The best time to visit Varkala Beach would be between December to March, although the waves are perfect for newbies all year-round.

#7. Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Situated on the east coast, another one of the top surfing spots in India is Chennai. It’s a great place for you to learn how to surf. You can enroll in various courses from beginners to more advanced lessons.

There’s a famous right-hand break in Chennai, the Covelong Point, which produces some of the best waves in the country. It’s also home to some of the best Indian surfers and attracts wave riders from all over the world.

#8. Gokarna Beach, Karnataka

Gokarna Beach is one of the top surfing spots in India for beginner surfers. The area is famous for its scenic views and relaxing atmosphere with coconut trees in the foreground and the Sahyadri Mountains in the background. Meanwhile, the waves on the beach are a bit easy to predict and not very strong. Plus, there are also tons of surf schools in the area.

The best time to visit Gokarna Beach for surfing would be between October and May.

#9. Pondicherry

Pondicherry is where the east and west coasts meet. It’s popular for colonial buildings and tree-lined streets. However, Pondicherry has also become quite well-known for both local and tourist surfers in recent years. It provides some of the best waves in the country, which can hold wells between three to six feet.

You can usually get the best quality waves in Pondicherry between August and December.

#10. Kodi Bengre, Udupi

Kodi Bengre is a famous fishing village in Udupi, India. Aside from the fresh seafood that you can find in the place, it is also an interesting spot for surfing. The beaches in this village are well known for their stable weather, with around 30 degrees temperature, which is ideal for newbies and intermediate surfers.

However, if you are looking for more challenging waves, the best time to visit Kodi Bengre would be before and after the monsoon season.


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The surfing culture in India is yet to pick up big. So, you’ll mostly see non-crowded surfing spots in the country, although it’s home to some of the best waves that can cater to both newbies and seasoned surfers. These ten top surfing spots in India should be on your travel bucket list if you visit the country. Also, don’t forget to pick up your surfing gear – surfboards, fins, wetsuits, and traction pads!


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Run up a mountain

Both inspiring and intimidating, a mountain marathon can be a great way to find your stride.

Everyone has a different connection with the mountains. Some find it by slowing down and picking up a book while others prefer to get their soles dirty and scale its heights. There is something elemental about scaling a mountain on foot.

While the tribe of trekkers and campers keep spiralling every year, one can also see a steady rise of athletes and marathoners taking to such unforgiving terrain and lung-searing attitude. When, and how, did the call of the wild green terrain become so irresistible?

Mountains are unpredictable. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience.

The weather might suddenly change, the track might disappear.

It is this lure of seeing more, experiencing more which is pulling people towards these runs

~ Akshay Appu, digital media professional who has done runs in Manali, Bir Billing, and Mawkrywat, says city runs do not offer much in terms of views, challenges, different routes or terrains.

Call of the wild

All runs in the city are done on tar roads. Mountain runs on the other hand, come with the promise of a new challenge with every run, different topography, beautiful views, no pollution, and peace and quiet. No marathon in the hills is the same. Even the same run twice won’t give you the same experience, “

~  Appu.

Humbling experience

The world of trial and ultra-running is becoming big because it’s not just athletes but track and road runners and even amateurs- after a good training- are signing up for these races to test their body and mind.

run up a mountain Image by skeeze from Pixabay

“Many a time you may be faced with situations that you can’t really train for a wild animal crossing your trail or a sharp incline that will make you dig into every little bit of strength and energy you have left. And just when you think you can take no more, you go ahead and do it.”

~ Gauri Jayaram, founder of a leading marathon touring company, such marathons give you the chance to connect with nature at a personal level

A lot like real life, except that we have forgotten these most simple lessons.

Our age of excess and 24*7 connected lives has pushed us far from nature- not just physical nature but our own inner selves. We have forgotten to tap our own potential and push our boundaries because we live and think in tiny little boxes. A run in the mountain is a perfect therapy for our tired souls. You are stripped to the barest of essentials- good running shoes, minimal clothing, a bottle of water, just enough food to get you through a day on the ridges, and a clear mind that sees the glory of nature.

Climb every mountain

Hills are all about incline, elevation, altitude. Priti Zaveri, a Pinkathon ambassador, believes mountain running teaches us that the obstacles we face everyday must not dampen our spirits or deter us from moving forward.

“Running up there is all about conquering the distance, and let me tell you, every distance is a challenge. It is all about endurance.”

Mountain climbing
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Experiences like these teach us humility- and the fact that everything is competing, but the real battle is to conquer our own fears and compete with our own selves.

What mountain marathons and trekking teach us about life

  • There is no finish line:

Somewhere while going up and down the slopes, you realise life is much like that. It is not about getting there, it is about reaching new heights with each step, because when you get to the top of any mountain, you are simply at the bottom of another greater climb.

  • Inhale the present:

Being out there in the wilderness of mountains tells you that things happen in their own time. There is a time to let go, time to shut off the phone, turn away from the computer and leave the camera at home. All we ever own is the inhalation of the present.

  • Best things in life are free

Clean air and water, unfiltered views, abundant greens and nature’s produce.

  • You can’t control everything:

You can’t predict nature’s moods, the challenges of the terrain, the supply of food and the night you spend in a tent. You are at the mountains’ disposal and they overpower you. The best you can do is be humble.


*/ The above article was written by Supriya Sharma and was published in Times Life…rev up your life dated May 26, 2019. */

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The Prerequisites Of Planning An Adventurous Ski Trip

Planning a trip requires a lot of attention to detail in terms of what all will you be doing there and what all arrangements are to be done in advance. The issue is significant especially when it comes to planning adventurous trips. The refusal of many leads to cancellation but mostly the reasons are not known. Some people are afraid to experience the event, and some are afraid of spending more than their ability. There might be other problems according to a particular situation but the most common are the two mentioned above.

Skiing has been the most preferred adventure sport many dreams of experiencing. But not everyone has the luck to do it even for once in their life. This article has all the prerequisites to have a trip skiing exactly according to your considerations and what all you must know and carry to make it successful according to the plan made in advance. Go through each and every point to know in details what all prerequisites you must have to conduct an adventure like skiing at an exotic location like Breckenridge.

Ski trip in Breckenridge

A Place To Stay

Any adventurous trip will require a place to stay. It should be comfortable and affordable having all the basic amenities you require and not go beyond your budget.

Skybags Mirage Polycarbonate 47.7 cms Orange Hardsided Check-in Luggage (MIRAGE69MOG)

All your luggage has to be kept there without any stress of losing it so that the purpose for which you have come to the trip is fulfilled. Look for places to stay in advance to avoid paying on the spot premium. The stress-free environment for you is very important so that you don’t have to think about anything else while encountering the adventure which might hinder your performance.

place to stay on a ski trip

Arranging Equipment in Advance

In this case, when you go out for skiing, you need to look for some ski rentals in Breckenridge and pay more than the appropriate amount to carry out the adventure. This is because you didn’t have any prior knowledge about the material and these businessmen know that you won’t be leaving the place without undergoing something fresh. Many platforms provide you with an option of not having to alter any of your plans in order to have that quality equipment kit. Everything is taken care of by them right from delivery to considerations until the returns. There is an option of having ski rental delivery in Breckenridge at your place of stay which makes it even more flexible for you to explore more. Only after sales are to be considered by you because some safety measures have to be taken to keep the equipment as you accepted them.

ski equipments

The Mode of Transport

Planning a trip requires you to travel from one place to another in order to hunt the location appropriate for carrying out that particular adventure sport. In this case, Breckenridge is covered with snow for the most part of the year with terrains appropriate for skiing and people from far away places come to Ski and snowboard. One thing is for sure that people have started to take their comfort while travelling seriously and this is the main reason why you must book your mode of transport well in advance of the dates decided.

mode of transport for ski

In conclusion, it is always recommended to plan everything in priority and organize it accordingly which provides you with a stress-free experience. Whether you are planning for the place of stay for the equipment or even for the mode of transport, everything planned in advance will give you a better experience when compared to taking decisions on the spot. In order to cut down the ski rental prices in Breckenridge, hotel prices, etc. while maintaining the desired quality, planning through trusted sources is recommended to prepare yourself for any uncertainty that may come your way.


Julie has a travel website tripoutside.com having comparison tools for various sports and adventures trips for rentals.


5 most common car hire scams for Travel & how to avoid them

car hire

“If you’re a frequent car hire person and try on different services each time, it’s obvious to encounter some sort of scam or a rip-off.”

Have you ever paid the headline cost which is vested once you select the vehicle? We’ll guess and say that you haven’t yet because it’s hardly ever the full rental cost after adding other essential and extra options. Here’re some of the biggest scams you should know of to help save hard-earned cash without compromising your passion to try different car hire services.

  • License & registration

In many advanced countries, a paper counterpart to the driver’s license has become nearly obsolete. This was previously used to record driving authorizations and essential for car hire companies to check before issuing a vehicle besides only the license.

Ever since their production and updating has been ceased, the license information’s now stored electronically which lets you generate a code to be shared and checked at Bahrain car hire company. There’ve been cases when companies tried charging their customer’s additional fees for missing the paper counterparts or perhaps invalidation of the insured which isn’t true

  • Driving with parents
Drivers License -Teen driver | by State Farm, car hire
Drivers License -Teen driver | by State Farm

Is there a thing such as ‘ageism’? It sure does in the car hire industry which associates with the age factor and eligibility. In many countries, the age between 25 and 65-years qualifies an individual to rent a vehicle and if you wish some else to book a car in their name for you, minimum age must be 21-years at least but either of the parents is requested to be in the car at all times. That said, car hire and age limit standards are different between countries so it’s always better to query beforehand to avoid any trouble or perhaps unwanted surcharge.

  • The ‘essential’ extras

If you’re heading out with the family, it’s obvious to book a car with child seat; that is if yours are young enough. However, it’ll definitely cost some extra so why not take your own seat just as airlines allow carrying two-pieces of children equipment that can be car seats, travel cots or pushchairs absolutely free of charge. This way, you can easily move on with the journey after taking an informed decision on whether to pay or not for an in-car child seat.

  • Vehicle upgrades
vehicle upgrades, car hire
vehicle upgrades

Just imagine arriving at the rental desk only to be told that your booked vehicle is unavailable! Sometimes, it can happen but only with the car model but not the brand which probably means you’ll get an upgraded vehicle, right? That’s absolutely wrong and the company would surely try to convince you on essential vehicle upgrades that haven’t been done at all or totally unwanted per the type of car you’ve hired. You’ve two choices here; either to accept the upgrades and pay extra or simply refund you the amount to avoid any inconvenience

  • Urge to spend extra

Finding just the right service at times can be a real drag which would eventually end you booking at a cost far greater than it should be. This is quite obvious if yours and the company’s location are far from each other so always try searching for the service nearest to your place. With Bahrain car hire, you get the best price and service thus promising a peaceful cruise.


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