Located in Eastern India in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam (aka Vizag) is the ultimate family-friendly beach destination. You'll find golden beaches dotting the entire coastline of Vizag, offering all sorts of family fun.

From the swimmable Blue Flag certified waters of Rushikonda Beach to the banana and coconut tree-studded hills of Yarada Beach to the kid-friendly museums and parks of RK Beach, your family will find endless entertainment in Visakhapatnam.

While the unpredictable currents at many Visakhapatnam beaches often make them too dangerous for swimming, locals and tourists still flock to them to enjoy their wild beauty, play in the oceanfront parks, snack on local street eats, get Bay of Bengal views from old lighthouses, and visit the many historic sites and religious temples.

Planning a family beach holiday in Visakhapatnam and you're not quite sure what to expect? This guide has got you covered with the top family-friendly Visakhapatnam beaches and activities. From the best time to visit to the best place to stay, this handy guide will make planning your next beach getaway a breeze.

Lined by rolling green hills and towering palm trees, Rushikonda Beach is easily one of the best Visakhapatnam beaches for families.

Located just eight kilometres from the Vizag city centre, this golden, crescent-shaped beach is Blue Flag certified, which means the water is clean and safe for swimming when conditions are good. In fact, when the waters are calm, this is one of the only swimmable beaches in Visakhapatnam.

Families with kids of all ages will love the variety of water sports on offer at Rushikonda Beach, including kayaking, jet skiing, surfing, parasailing, and windsurfing. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, there are also companies offering scuba diving lessons and excursions for beginners. Other beach amenities include on-duty lifeguards, changing rooms, toilets, and loads of shops selling souvenirs. 

Want to make a day of it? Pack a picnic lunch or grab food from one of the many vendors selling snacks like noodles and mango slices, as well as tea and coconut water drinks. 

Conveniently located in the heart of Vizag, Ramakrishna Beach (aka RK Beach) is the most popular beach in Visakhapatnam. Like most Visakhapatnam beaches, the rough sea conditions can make swimming dangerous.

However, this is a popular spot to take leisurely strolls along the sand or the paved promenade, play in one of the many parks, eat street snacks from the food stalls, or just sit on the sand and listen to the crashing waves. 

RK Beach is also home to excellent family-friendly attractions, like the Submarine Museum, Sea Harrier Museum, and Visakha Museum, perfect for when you need a break from the sand and sun. The VMRDA Park is located at the northern end of the beach, offering even more family fun, from playgrounds and walking paths to boating, skating, and sports facilities.

Pro tip: If you're looking for a family-friendly luxury resort on RK Beach, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach is the perfect pick.

This five-star resort offers modern rooms with panoramic ocean views, a huge infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Bengal, a fully-equipped gym and rooftop jogging track, a spa with wellness-focused treatments, loads of fun activities for kids and families, and five on-site bars and restaurants. You'll have everything you could possibly need for a relaxing vacation.  

You'll find lovely Yarada Beach next to the city's naval area, just 15 kilometres from Vizag. This is another one of the most picturesque beaches in Visakhapatnam, thanks to the verdant banana and coconut plantations and imposing rock formations. With the unpredictable currents and waves, this is not necessarily a swimming beach. If things look rough, parents will want to make sure their little ones don't get too close to the water. 

This beach lacks most facilities, aside from toilets, meaning you'll see far fewer crowds here. But that's part of the appeal. When the weather is nice, this wide swath of sand makes for a prime picnic spot for families. If you didn't bring snacks, there are usually a few food vendors here selling drinks and light bites like corn on the cob and kebabs. 

Postcard-perfect scenery aside, it's also well worth visiting the nearby Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. The views over Vizag and the Bay of Bengal from a vantage point of 358 metres above sea level are simply stunning. Plus, for a small fee, kids and adults alike will love going to the top of the lighthouse for even more spectacular views. Do note that the lighthouse's visiting hours are limited and can vary.

Bheemili Beach or Bheemunipatnam Beach is another one of the most popular Visakhapatnam beaches. However, with its location roughly 25 kilometres north of the city centre, this beach is far more peaceful than places like Rushikonda Beach.

Like Rushikonda Beach, Bheemili Beach is considered one of the safest beaches in Visakhapatnam. The gentle waves and calm waters make this an ideal spot for swimming when the weather is nice. That being said, there is a steep drop-off, so it's best not to go too deep.

Swimming aside, this is also a lovely spot to catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset. While you're here, you can also explore the 17th-century tombstones in the old Dutch Cemetery, take in the Bay of Bengal views from Bheemili Lighthouse, and visit the nearby Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple. Kids will also love taking photos with the Mermaid Statue at the northern end of the beach.

If you're feeling peckish, you'll find plenty of food vendors here selling everything from pani puri and muri mixture to tomato and egg bajjis and refreshing sugandhi.

If you'd prefer to skip the crowds at RK Beach, the nearby Tenneti Park Beach is a wonderful family-friendly alternative. One of the coolest attractions here is the huge abandoned ship MV Maa that was stranded on the sand during a storm in 2020. It's now one of the most well-known and quirky Vizag attractions. 

The lovely Tenneti Park features beautifully manicured gardens, tranquil walking paths, kids' play areas, and sweeping sea views. There's also an amphitheatre which hosts events when the weather is nice. If you need a snack, you'll find a few food vendors in the area selling mangoes and corn on the cob.

While you're in the area, you might as well pair your visit with the famous Kailasagiri, which is just 10 minutes away. To reach this incredible hilltop park, you can drive or, better yet, take the cable car.

Once you reach the top, there are tons of kid-friendly activities at Kailasagiri, including getting city and sea views from the toy train, seeing the giant Shiva and Parvati statues, and letting the kids run wild in the play park.