This Yarada Beach travel guide covers a scenic cove roughly 15 km south of Visakhapatnam city, where golden sand meets the Bay of Bengal and green hills close in on three sides. It is quieter than Rushikonda, reached by a winding ghat road past the Dolphin’s Nose headland, and it rewards an unhurried half-day. This guide sets out the drive, the best season, how to reach it from the city, the sea-safety you must respect, and where to stay in Vizag.
Yarada Beach is a cove beach in Yarada village, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, about 15 km south of the city centre. The Visakhapatnam district administration describes it as ringed by hills on three sides and open to the Bay of Bengal on the fourth, with clean golden sand and good sunrise and sunset views.
Key takeaways
- Yarada Beach sits about 15 km south of Visakhapatnam city, in Yarada village, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, at roughly 17.6644°N, 83.2844°E.
- It is a cove beach enclosed by hills on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth, with golden sand and far fewer crowds than Rushikonda, per the Visakhapatnam district administration.
- Best time is November to February, when days are mild and dry; October still brings heavy rain, as regional weather records show.
- The drive from the city runs past the Dolphin’s Nose headland, a rocky promontory about 174 m high whose lighthouse guides ships into Visakhapatnam Port.
- The sea here has strong rip currents and the beach is less patrolled; Yarada recorded 10 of the 165 beach deaths across Vizag between 2021 and 2025, according to Deccan Chronicle (8 November 2025).
- There is no formal entry permit; swim only where lifeguards allow, and treat the beach as a place to wade and watch rather than to swim far out.
About Yarada Beach
Yarada Beach is a sheltered cove on the east coast, set in Yarada village a short drive south of Visakhapatnam. The Visakhapatnam district administration calls it one of the most striking spots in the city, hemmed by hills on three sides and opening to the Bay of Bengal on the fourth. That bowl of hills is what gives the beach its calm, closed-in feel.
The sand is golden and wide, and the water sits in a bay formed between Yarada Hill to the north and the Dolphin’s Nose headland and Mukkoma Hill to the south. Because it takes a deliberate drive to get here, the beach stays quieter than Rushikonda or the city-front Ramakrishna (R.K.) Beach, and it is best treated as a scenic, slow stop rather than a busy resort strand.
Visakhapatnam itself, often shortened to Vizag, is Andhra Pradesh’s largest city and main port. Yarada is one of a string of beaches along its coast, and it pairs naturally with the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint you pass on the way. For the wider region, see our Andhra Pradesh travel guide.
Best time to visit Yarada Beach
The best time to visit Yarada Beach is November to February, when the weather is mild, dry and comfortable for the drive and a few hours by the sea. Vizag has a tropical coastal climate that stays warm and humid for most of the year, so winter is the clear sweet spot.
October, when this guide was last checked, still sees heavy rain and marks the start of the tourist season rather than its best weather. March to June turns hot and sticky. The south-west and retreating monsoon months can bring rough seas, so winter is also the safest window for being near the water.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | November–February | Mild, dry days; calmest seas; ideal for the drive and sunrise or sunset |
| Summer | March–June | Hot and humid; early mornings only; harsh midday sun on the open sand |
| Monsoon | July–October | Heavy rain, slippery ghat road and rougher sea; October is often the wettest |
Within a day, early morning is the pick. The light is soft for photos, the ghat road is clearer of traffic, and the heat has not yet built. Sunrise over the Bay of Bengal is the beach’s signature moment.
How to reach Yarada Beach from Vizag
Yarada Beach lies about 15 km south of Visakhapatnam city and is reached by road only, usually a 30 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic through the port area. There is no railway station or airport at the beach; you travel from the city.
The most flexible option is a taxi or app-cab from the city, which can take you right to the shore and wait. Self-drive or a two-wheeler works too, but the final stretch is a winding hill road that needs a careful, low-speed approach. For public transport, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs city buses toward Yarada; Wikipedia records Route 16 running from Poorna Market to Yarada Beach via Dockyard and Yarada village, though you should confirm the current route and timing locally as of October 2026.
| From | Approx. distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam city centre (R.K. Beach area) | ~15 km | Taxi, app-cab, self-drive or APSRTC bus; 30–45 min |
| Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ) | ~25 km | Taxi; allow about an hour across the city |
| Visakhapatnam Railway Station (VSKP) | ~18 km | Taxi or auto; via the port and Dolphin Hill road |
| Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint | ~3–4 km | On the same hill road above the beach |
Visakhapatnam is the gateway for the whole trip. It has an airport (VTZ) with domestic flights and a major railway station (VSKP) on the Howrah–Chennai line, so most travellers base themselves in the city and make Yarada a short outing.
The hill drive and Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint
The approach to Yarada is half the experience: the road climbs over the headlands south of the port, curling through hairpin bends with the sea on one side before dropping into the cove. The highlight is the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, which you pass on the way.
Dolphin’s Nose is a large rocky headland between Yarada and Gangavaram Port, named for its shape, which resembles a dolphin’s snout. It stands about 174 m high and is a well-known landmark of Visakhapatnam. A lighthouse on the hill guides ships into Visakhapatnam Port, and the viewpoint gives a wide sweep of the blue sea, the green hills and the sandy beaches below.
Drive slowly. The ghat road has sharp bends and sections with limited barriers, and it can be slick after rain. Give way to oncoming vehicles on blind corners, avoid the drive after dark if you are unsure of the route, and stop only at marked pull-outs rather than on the carriageway. Some stretches near the port and lighthouse are sensitive areas, so follow any photography or access signs posted on the day.
Things to see and do at Yarada Beach
Yarada is a place to slow down: walk the sand, watch the sea against the hills, and take in the viewpoint on the drive. It is not a developed resort beach, so plan for scenery and quiet rather than water sports.
- Walk the cove and watch sunrise. The curve of golden sand backed by hills is the main draw, and early light over the Bay of Bengal is the best time to be here.
- Stop at the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint. On the hill above the beach, it offers a panorama of coast, hills and the city; the lighthouse is the landmark.
- Photograph the headlands. The bay framed by Yarada Hill and the Dolphin’s Nose promontory is the classic composition.
- Wade, don’t swim out. Paddle at the edge where it is safe, but treat the open water with caution (see the safety section below).
| Spot | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Yarada Beach cove | Golden sand, hills on three sides, quiet; sunrise and sunset | 1–2 hours |
| Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint | Panoramic coast-and-city view; lighthouse landmark | 30–45 min |
| Yarada hill road | Scenic ghat drive with sea views and hairpin bends | Included in the drive |
A suggested half-day plan
Yarada works best as a half-day outing from Vizag, ideally in the morning. A simple plan keeps the sea-facing drive in good light and leaves the afternoon for the city’s beaches and museums.
- Early morning: Leave the city by road, driving the hill route and stopping at the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint.
- Mid-morning: Descend to Yarada Beach, walk the cove, photograph the headlands, and wade where it is safe.
- Late morning: Drive back toward the city; pair with Rushikonda or Kailasagiri in the afternoon, or the Submarine Museum near R.K. Beach.
If you only want a sunset trip, reverse the timing, but be off the ghat road before full dark and keep well back from the water as the light fades.
Nearby places
Yarada pairs easily with Vizag’s better-known sights, most of which lie between the beach and the city. A single day can comfortably combine Yarada with one or two of the following.
- Rushikonda Beach is Vizag’s popular sandy beach north of the city, livelier than Yarada and better set up for a longer beach day. See our Rushikonda Beach guide.
- Kailasagiri is a hilltop park with a 40-foot (about 12 m) Shiva–Parvati statue, gardens and a ropeway, with sweeping views over the coast, per Incredible India.
- INS Kursura Submarine Museum on R.K. Beach is a decommissioned submarine you can walk through; it is widely reported to close on Mondays, so check before you go.
- Gangavaram lies just south of Yarada, near Gangavaram Port, and is the next beach along the same stretch of coast.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin’s Nose | ~3–4 km | Viewpoint and lighthouse on the hill above the beach |
| Gangavaram Beach | ~5 km | Neighbouring cove beach near the port |
| Rushikonda Beach | ~25 km (north, via city) | Vizag’s main sandy beach for a longer beach day |
| Kailasagiri | ~20 km (via city) | Hilltop park, statues, ropeway and coast views |
| INS Kursura Submarine Museum | ~18 km (R.K. Beach) | Walk through a real submarine; closed Mondays |
Where to stay in Vizag
There are no established hotels at Yarada Beach itself, so stay in Visakhapatnam and visit the beach on a day trip. The city has the full spread, from budget lodges to sea-facing business hotels, and the Beach Road (R.K. Beach) area keeps you close to the coast and the museums.
- Budget (indicative ₹1,200–₹2,500 a night, reconfirm): City lodges and guesthouses near the railway station and in the market areas.
- Mid-range (indicative ₹2,500–₹6,000 a night, reconfirm): Comfortable hotels along and near Beach Road, many with sea views.
- Luxury (indicative ₹6,000–₹12,000+ a night, reconfirm): Larger sea-facing hotels and resorts on or near the Beach Road and Rushikonda stretch.
These are planning estimates, not quoted tariffs; rates swing with weekends, holidays and festival dates, so book ahead for the November to February peak and reconfirm prices directly as of October 2026.
Food to try
There are few reliable food stalls at Yarada, so carry water and snacks and plan to eat back in the city. Vizag’s food is coastal Andhra, which leans spicy and seafood-rich.
- Andhra meals (a rice thali with spicy curries, pickle and rasam) are the everyday staple across city eateries.
- Prawn and fish fry (coastal seafood, shallow-fried with chilli and spice) feature on most Vizag menus given the port setting.
- Bongu chicken (chicken cooked inside a bamboo tube, a regional speciality) appears at some Andhra restaurants in the city.
- Filter coffee and tiffin (South Indian breakfast items such as idli and dosa) are easy, light options before an early drive.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Yarada from Vizag is inexpensive; the main cost is transport, since there is no entry fee for the beach itself. The table below is a planning estimate for two people on a half-day outing, as of October 2026.
| Item | Indicative cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi, round trip with waiting | 1,200–2,500 | Depends on operator and waiting time; the ghat road adds a little |
| Dolphin’s Nose / lighthouse entry | 0–100 | Small fee reported at the lighthouse; reconfirm on the day |
| Water, snacks, light meal | 300–800 | Carry supplies; eat back in the city |
| Buffer | 200–400 | Parking, tips, incidentals |
| Approx. total | 1,700–3,800 | Excludes city accommodation and other sights |
These bands are indicative planning estimates, not quoted fares, and assume a morning outing with your own transport arranged in the city. Public buses cost far less but take longer and are less flexible.
Sea safety, permits and practical tips
The single most important point at Yarada is sea safety: the water has strong rip currents and the beach is less patrolled than the city-front beaches, so it is not a safe place to swim out. Wade only at the edge, keep children close, and never enter the sea after drinking or at night.
The numbers underline the risk. According to Deccan Chronicle (8 November 2025), 165 people died on Visakhapatnam beaches between 2021 and 2025, with 10 of those deaths at Yarada; lifeguards employed by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) have rescued 199 people since 2023. The same report quotes oceanography professor K. Latha Madhuri on rip currents moving at five to eight kilometres per hour, striking between 50 and 150 feet from the shore. On 5 October 2025, 16 Russian tourists were caught in rip currents at Yarada; lifeguards rescued them all, though one later died despite CPR. Treat any lifeguard or marine-police warning as final.
Permits and rules: No special permit (such as an Inner Line Permit) is needed to visit Yarada; it is open coast reached by public road. Near the port and the Dolphin’s Nose lighthouse, follow any posted photography and access restrictions, as these are sensitive installations. Carry out your litter and avoid single-use plastic on the sand.
Practical tips: Mobile network and UPI work in the city; coverage can be patchy on the hill road, so download maps and keep some cash. There are limited shops at the beach, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat. The nearest hospitals are in Visakhapatnam city, roughly 15 km away, so note that help is not immediate at the beach. Solo and women travellers generally find the daytime drive and beach fine, but, as the beach is quiet, prefer daylight hours, tell someone your plan, and avoid isolated stretches late in the day. Pack light cottons for most of the year and a light layer for breezy winter mornings.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Yarada Beach and how far is it from Visakhapatnam?
Yarada Beach is in Yarada village, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, about 15 km south of the city centre, at roughly 17.6644°N, 83.2844°E. It is a cove beach reached by a winding hill road past the Dolphin’s Nose headland, usually a 30 to 45 minute drive from the city.
Is Yarada Beach safe for swimming?
Yarada Beach is not safe for swimming out. It has strong rip currents and is less patrolled than city beaches; Deccan Chronicle reported 10 deaths here between 2021 and 2025. Wade only at the shallow edge, heed lifeguard and marine-police warnings, and never enter the sea at night or after drinking.
What is the best time to visit Yarada Beach?
The best time to visit Yarada Beach is November to February, when Vizag’s weather is mild and dry and the seas are calmer. October still brings heavy rain, and March to June is hot and humid. Within the day, early morning offers soft light, lighter traffic on the ghat road and the beach’s famous sunrise.
How do you reach Yarada Beach from Vizag?
Reach Yarada Beach by road from Visakhapatnam, about 15 km south. A taxi or app-cab is the most flexible choice and can wait at the shore; self-drive and two-wheelers work on the hill road with care. APSRTC city buses also run toward Yarada; confirm the current route and timing locally before you set out.
Is there an entry fee or permit for Yarada Beach?
No entry fee or special permit is needed for Yarada Beach itself; it is open coast reached by public road. A small charge is reported at the Dolphin’s Nose lighthouse on the way, which you should reconfirm on the day. Near the port and lighthouse, follow any posted photography and access restrictions.
What can you combine with a Yarada Beach trip?
Combine Yarada with the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint on the same hill road, then Rushikonda Beach, Kailasagiri hill park or the INS Kursura Submarine Museum on R.K. Beach back in the city. Gangavaram Beach lies just south. A morning at Yarada plus one or two city sights fills a comfortable day.
Last updated and sources
Yarada suits travellers who want a scenic, quiet cove and a memorable hill drive rather than a busy resort beach; go in the cool, dry months of November to February, ideally in the morning. Above all, respect the sea here and stay out of deep water.
Last updated: 8 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Visakhapatnam district administration, Tourism (visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in/tourism) and Yarada Beach page (visakhapatnam.ap.gov.in); Incredible India, Kailasagiri (incredibleindia.gov.in); Deccan Chronicle, “Lifeguards save 199 on Vizag beaches since 2023,” 8 November 2025 (deccanchronicle.com); Wikipedia, Yarada Beach and Dolphin’s Nose, used to locate primary details on coordinates, distance and the APSRTC route (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed October 2026.
