The short answer
Rushikonda Beach: what visitors should know first
Yes, for anyone wanting to try surfing or water sports rather than just walk a beach. Book through a recognised operator on the beach, check conditions on the day, and treat the calmer central stretch as the swimming and family area rather than the surf zone.
Useful facts
Rushikonda Beach facts at a glance
- Location
- Visakhapatnam–Bheemili coast road, about 8 km north of the city
- Sport
- Surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boating
- When to go
- Morning, for calmer conditions suited to beginners
- Access
- Open beach; activities booked directly with licensed operators on site
- Founded
- Recognised under India's Blue Flag beach programme
Why it matters
Why Rushikonda Beach is worth your time
Rushikonda represents a different side of Visakhapatnam's coastline from the naval and historical sights further south: an active, sport-oriented beach that has grown alongside India's small but real surfing culture. Its inclusion in the Blue Flag beach programme reflects a deliberate push toward cleaner, better-managed public beaches, distinguishing it from less regulated stretches of coast nearby.
For visitors, it matters as one of relatively few places on the east coast of India where beginner surf lessons and organised water sports are readily available with instruction, rather than something you would need to travel to Goa or further south to find. That makes it a genuine activity stop rather than just another beach to look at.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Beginner surf lessons
Instructors on the beach offer introductory surfing sessions suited to those trying it for the first time.
- 02
A range of water sports
Jet skiing, windsurfing and speed boating are all available alongside surfing for a more active beach day.
- 03
Blue Flag standards
Recognition under India's Blue Flag programme means a managed, comparatively clean and monitored stretch of beach.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Rushikonda sits on the coast road between the city and Bheemili, and unlike RK Beach it is built around active use of the water rather than just a promenade walk. The beach is recognised as one of India's Blue Flag sites, a programme tied to cleanliness, safety and basic visitor amenities, and it is generally considered a beginner-friendly spot for surfing when the sea is calm.
Operators along the beach run jet skiing, speed boating, windsurfing with instruction, and other activities, alongside simple swimming in the calmer central stretch. If you want to try surfing, morning sessions tend to have gentler conditions, and going with an instructor rather than renting a board alone is the sensible route for a first attempt.
Even without getting in the water, Rushikonda works as a beach walk with a livelier, more youthful energy than RK Beach, useful if you want to watch surfers and jet skis rather than just sit. Combine it with a drive further up the coast towards Bheemili if you have the time.
Plan with confidence
Event-led places reward a little planning.
- Book activities only with visibly licensed, established operators
- Go in the morning for calmer, more beginner-friendly conditions
- Confirm safety gear (life jackets, helmets where relevant) before starting
- Agree the price for any activity before you begin
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Off the Visakhapatnam–Bheemili coast road, about 8 km north of the city centre
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours for water sports; 45–60 minutes for a beach walk
- Best time
- Morning, when the sea is generally calmer and better suited to beginners
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The beach approach and main stretch are level and easy to walk; water sports themselves are for those who are reasonably fit and comfortable in the sea, so most older visitors are better placed watching or walking than surfing or jet-skiing.
- Tickets and access
- Water-sports activities are run by licensed operators on the beach at posted per-activity rates; confirm safety equipment, instructor presence and current pricing before paying, and avoid unlicensed operators.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Rushikonda Beach
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The beach approach and main stretch are level and easy to walk; water sports themselves are for those who are reasonably fit and comfortable in the sea, so most older visitors are better placed watching or walking than surfing or jet-skiing.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Rushikonda good for beginner surfers?
Yes, it is generally considered a beginner-friendly spot when the sea is calm, and instructors on the beach offer introductory lessons. Morning sessions tend to have gentler conditions.
Do I need to book water sports in advance?
Usually not; operators are based on the beach and take walk-up customers, though arriving early on busy weekends can mean shorter waits.
Is Rushikonda suitable for a family that doesn't want to do water sports?
Yes, the beach itself is pleasant for a walk and to watch the activity, and the calmer central stretch is fine for a simple swim or paddle.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.