Skip Goa: 9 Coastal Cities In India That Are Perfect For Shoulder Season Travel
Times Now Digital, Mallika BhagatJul 10, 2025
Gokarna, Karnataka
With golden sands framed by palm trees and temple bells ringing in the distance, Gokarna is the anti-Goa. This low-key town along Karnataka’s coast offers a mix of spiritual calm and boho beach energy. Om Beach and Kudle Beach are still quiet and cafés serve pancakes with a view.
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Varkala, Kerala
Varkala is Kerala’s best-kept coastal secret. Picture rust-red cliffs rising above the Arabian Sea, lined with laid-back cafés and Ayurvedic spas. Come September and October, the skies begin to clear after monsoon, and the salty breeze returns—making it the perfect time to visit
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Diu, Gujarat
Diu feels like a lost piece of Portugal washed up on India’s western coast. This tiny union territory combines clean beaches, charming churches, and colonial forts with an easy-going vibe. Diu in the shoulder season (August to October) stays dry, breezy, and budget-friendly.
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Karaikal, Puducherry
Just south of the main Puducherry town lies Karaikal, a smaller, lesser-explored part of the Union Territory that offers a calmer coastal experience. The beaches are clean, the vibe is unhurried, and the French colonial traces linger in the architecture.
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Alibaug, Maharashtra
Alibaug may be known as Mumbai’s weekend beach escape, but midweek in the shoulder season? Total bliss. The rains leave the beaches lush and quiet, and the sea is gentle enough for boat rides and beach strolls.
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Tharangambadi (Tranquebar), Tamil Nadu
Tharangambadi—formerly Tranquebar—is a forgotten Danish settlement on Tamil Nadu’s Coromandel Coast, where the sea crashes against crumbling forts and colonial churches. The town is small but oozes old-world charm, especially when the shoulder season winds sweep in
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Chandipur, Odisha
Now here’s something wild: the sea at Chandipur disappears twice a day. No, really. This small beach town in Odisha experiences a rare natural phenomenon where the Bay of Bengal recedes up to 5 kilometers, allowing you to literally walk into the sea.
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Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
One of India’s holiest towns is also one of its most underrated beach getaways. In Rameswaram, the sea meets mythology—where every tide seems to carry a story. But beyond temples, the town offers scenic beaches, unique geography and one of the most dramatic train rides in India.
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Tarkarli, Maharashtra
If your idea of a beach vacation includes coral reefs, backwaters, and spicy fish thalis, head straight to Tarkarli. Located in the Sindhudurg district, this coastal gem blends Konkan culture with Malvani cuisine and crystal-clear waters.
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