The blue flag is a certification given to those beach, marina or sustainable boat tour operator that meets the stringent standards. This award is given away by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a Denmark based non-profitable organisation after they meet certain standards of safety, environmental education and information, quality of bathing water and other services at the beaches. Recently, India’s 8 beaches got blue flag certified. Here is a list of Indian Beaches that got certified. Shivrajpur, Gujarat- This is situated at a distance of 12 km from Dwarka and 15 min from Rukmani Temple. Shivrajpur Beach is famous for its clear water and white sand which stretches between a lighthouse and a rocky shoreline. The Charakhla salt pans near Mithapur attract flamingos, storks and a variety of other birds. Best Time to visit Shivrajpur Beach- October to April. Ghoghla, Diu- Situated in the north of Diu town, is one of the most beautiful beaches and is considered to be ideal for people who like to spend some time away from the chaos. Ghoghla beach is one of the offbeat beaches in India to enjoy water sports like banana boat ride, surfing and parasailing. Best time to visit Ghoghla Beach- October to February. Kasarkod, Karnataka- This beach is situated on the Konkan coast of Karnataka. Kasarkod Beach was first developed from the huge park as an eco-friendly beach. Later on, this was again retouched by the forest department to encourage eco-tourism in Karnataka. Best time to visit Kasarkod Beach- October to February. Padubidri, Karnataka- This beach is located in the Udipi district and is famous for the Dakkebali ritual which takes place once in two years. Padubidri beach is developed as a model beach and is also considered the cleanest beach in the state. There are certain fun activities organised such as tournaments, fairs and musical programs for entertainment purpose. Best time to visit Padubidri beach- Throughout the year. Kappad, Kerala- Locally known as Kappakadavu, is situated in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. It is also said that Vasco da Gama landed here at Kappad Beach in the 15th Century. It served as an important trade centre during the middle age, for the Arabs, Greeks, Romans and Portuguese and hence is also known as the Gateway to the Malabar Coast. Historical tours are highly enjoyed by the visitors of Kappad Beach. Best time to visit Kappad Beach- summer and winter. Rushikonda, Andhra Pradesh- Situated 8 km from Vishakhapatnam is also famous for its golden sands and tidy waves. Rushikonda is a spot for water sports such as windsurfing, swimming and water skiing. Best time to visit Rushikonda Beach- August to October and January to March. Golden Beach, Odisha- Situated in a town named Puri, is famous for the sand works of the artist SudarshanPattnaik. The Puri Beach is popular among the pilgrims who visit the Jagannath Temple which is located nearby. Best time to visit Golden Beach- October to March. Radhanagar, Andaman & Nicobar- It is located in Havelock Island (now Swaraj Island). Radhanagar Beach is recognised as the 7th best beach in the world by Time Magazine in the year 2004. Best time to visit Radhanagar beach- December to February. Next time you are looking to take a vacation at the beach, consider going to the above mentioned Blue Flag beaches for better experiences.
