Quick answer: Yarada Beach is a quiet, hill-backed beach near Yarada village, about 15 km from central Visakhapatnam (Vizag) in Andhra Pradesh, close to the Dolphin’s Nose headland and Gangavaram Port. It is best for walks, sunsets, photographs and picnics, not for swimming: the sea here has strong currents, and drownings have been recorded. No official timings or entry fee are published, so plan a daytime visit and check locally before you go.
Yarada Beach at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Yarada village, south-east of Visakhapatnam city, Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal |
| Distance from the city | About 15 km from Visakhapatnam |
| Nearby | Dolphin’s Nose hill and lighthouse, Gangavaram beach and Gangavaram Port |
| Timings and entry fee | No official timings or fee published; visit in daylight and check locally |
| Swimming | Not advisable: strong currents and a steep, deep shoreline |
| Best time to visit | Roughly November to February, when the weather is cooler and drier |
| Time needed | Two to three hours is enough for most visitors |
What Yarada Beach is like
Yarada is one of Visakhapatnam’s quieter beaches. It sits away from the busy city seafront of Ramakrishna (RK) Beach, at the end of a road that winds past the Dolphin’s Nose hill. Green hills slope down towards the sand, which gives the beach a sheltered, scenic setting that many visitors prefer to the city beaches.
The appeal is simple: golden sand, a deep-blue sea, wooded hills and a calm atmosphere for a slow walk along the waterline. It is a popular spot for families, couples and groups of friends who want a relaxed outing away from city traffic. You will often see local fishermen working from the beach, and the evening light over the hills makes it a favourite with photographers.
Studies of this coast show that the position of the nearby headland strongly affects how sand is deposited and washed away, so the width of the beach can change through the year.
Is it safe to swim at Yarada Beach?
No, swimming is not advisable. The shoreline drops away quickly and the currents can be powerful. In October 2025, a Russian tourist drowned at Yarada after, according to news reports, Marine Police and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) lifeguards had repeatedly warned that the water was unsafe because of strong currents and depth. A Deccan Chronicle report on Visakhapatnam’s beaches counted 10 drowning deaths at Yarada between 2021 and 2025, and in an earlier incident a group of friends were swept away during a weekend swim.
GVMC deploys lifeguards along Visakhapatnam’s key beaches, including Yarada, but they cannot watch every stretch. Follow these basic rules:
- Do not swim, and keep children well back from the water’s edge.
- Obey warning boards and any instructions from lifeguards or the Marine Police.
- Stay out of the water entirely in rough weather and during the monsoon and cyclone months.
An earlier version of this article encouraged readers to surf at Yarada. Given the currents and the recorded drownings, we no longer suggest it; if you want to learn to surf in Vizag, ask an established surf school where and when it is safe.
Things to do at Yarada Beach
Walk the shoreline and watch the sunset
The main pleasure here is a long walk on the sand with the hills behind you. Late afternoon is the most comfortable time in the warmer months, and the light over the hills and the sea is at its best around sunset.
Watch the fishing boats
Yarada is a working coast as well as a leisure beach. Fishermen launch and land their boats here, and sometimes sell their catch on the sand. Give them room to work, and ask before taking close-up photographs of people.
Have a picnic
Weekend picnics are a long-standing local habit at Yarada. Families often bring home-cooked food and settle into the shade near the back of the beach. If you do the same, carry your rubbish back with you.
Try local snacks
Small stalls near the beach sell snacks such as muri mixture (spiced puffed rice) and roasted corn when they are open. Stalls are informal, so do not count on them; carry your own water and some food, especially on weekdays.
Take in the view from Dolphin’s Nose
The road to Yarada passes Dolphin’s Nose, a rocky hill named for its shape, which lies between Yarada village and Gangavaram Port. Its lighthouse guides ships into Visakhapatnam Port and is described as visible to ships some 64 km out at sea. The hill gives wide views over the port, the city and the sea.
How to reach Yarada Beach
- Reach Visakhapatnam. The city has an airport and is a major railway hub; it is the headquarters of the South Coast Railway zone.
- Go to Yarada by road. The beach is about 15 km from the city. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) city bus route 16 runs from Poorna Market to Yarada Beach, via Convent Junction, the dockyard area and Yarada village. Check the current route with APSRTC before relying on it.
- Or take a cab or your own vehicle. This is the most flexible option, especially if you plan to stop at Dolphin’s Nose on the way.
Best time to visit Yarada Beach
Visakhapatnam is hottest in May, and it gets rain from both the south-west and the north-east monsoons. The weather records for the city show that, on average, October is its wettest month, while February and March are the driest.
- November to February is usually the most pleasant time, with cooler days and less rain.
- March to May is hot and humid. If you go then, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- June to October brings monsoon rain, rough seas and, towards the end of the season, the risk of cyclones on this coast. Check the weather forecast before you go, and stay well away from the water.
An earlier version of this article said the monsoon ran from June to September. Visakhapatnam’s rainiest month is actually October, so the wet season extends later than that.
Travel tips for Yarada Beach
- Do not swim or wade far out, whatever the conditions look like from the shore.
- Carry drinking water, a hat and sunscreen; shade on the sand is limited.
- Go in daylight. The beach is away from the city, and facilities are basic.
- Wear footwear you can walk on sand and rocks in.
- Keep the beach clean and take your rubbish back.
- On weekends and holidays the road and beach get busier, so start early.
Other Indian beaches to explore
If you enjoy Yarada, you may also like other beaches on India’s east and south coasts, such as Puri Beach in Odisha and Dhanushkodi Beach near Rameswaram. On the west coast, Kerala’s Muzhappilangad Beach is known as a drive-in beach.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Yarada Beach from Visakhapatnam?
Yarada village is about 15 km from Visakhapatnam city. The road passes the Dolphin’s Nose hill and the area around Gangavaram Port.
Can you swim at Yarada Beach?
It is not advisable. The currents are strong and the water gets deep quickly. Authorities have warned visitors against entering the sea here, and drownings have been reported, including a tourist in October 2025.
Is there an entry fee for Yarada Beach?
We could not find any official entry fee or fixed opening hours. Treat it as a daytime destination, and check locally in case rules or parking charges have changed.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Late afternoon is usually the most comfortable time, and the sunset light over the hills is a highlight. In summer, early morning is also a good choice.
Is Yarada Beach good for children?
Yes, for sand play, walks and picnics, provided they are supervised closely and kept away from the water. It is not a beach for children to paddle or swim at.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against published information on Yarada and Visakhapatnam, news reports of safety warnings by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and Marine Police, and APSRTC route details.
