Devka Beach: A Serene Stretch of Sand
The Devka beach is one of Daman’s most famous beaches and is known all over the region for its vast stretches of sand, which are quite often very deserted. The beach, though located somewhat near to the vast industrial town of Vapi, is nevertheless clean and is almost totally void of any pollution. Though the beach infrastructure is not that well-developed, it would take a very nit-picky traveller to ignore the beach’s beautiful geography and clean environs. On weekends (especially, long weekends), the beach is thronged by hundreds of urban dwellers, who come to take a dip in the sea water. The Devka beach is ideal for long swims and walks; one can also avail of the many camel and horse riding options available at the beach. Though the waters may be clean and thoroughly inviting for a swimmer, caution is advised as the beach sometimes can have strong undercurrents and also the water surface is rocky and comprises many uneven areas.
Places to visit in Devka
The Devka Beach is situated in the union territory of Daman. Daman is a former Portuguese colony and as such is quite blessed with Portuguese-style colonial architecture. Daman has plenty of churches and colonial era government buildings, which are in use even today. Further, there are many other beaches within the vicinity of Devka beach; these too make for excellent getaways. Recently, an amusement park has come up near Devka beach; this park is a popular picnic site for the natives. The park comprises children’s rides, eating joints, an ice-cream parlour, etc.
Devka Beach- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Gujrati and Hindi are widely spoken in the region surrounding the Devka beach, and as such communication should not be a problem. English and Marathi, too, are spoken by a significant number of people. Cuisine catering to all tastes and stomachs is readily available in Devka beach. Many tour operators cover the Devka beach as part of their Gujarat tours and Daman tours. The waters surrounding the Devka beach are rich in aquatic life and make for excellent fishing points.
Best time to visit Devka Beach
The Devka beach can be visited any time of the year. However, during the monsoons, that is, between the months of June and September, one may not be able to soak up a whole lot of sun. Further, as the Devka Beach is decently accessible from the major towns and cities of the region, it has become one of Gujarat’s premier weekend getaways. Consequently, the Devka beach is not so secluded during the weekends.
Best way to reach Devka Beach
- By Air: Daman Airport, located a few odd kms away, is the nearest airport. However, Daman is a restricted airport and is mainly used by the government and the services. Civilian flights to Daman Airport are rarely allowed. Mumbai, India’s most important airport, is located 180 kms away and is deemed the most convenient.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead is Vapi (located some 10 odd kilometres away), which is one of the more important railway stations in the region and as such is well-connected to the major cities in the region. Vapi lies on the Mumbai-Delhi mainline, and many express trains passing through have a halt here.
- By Road: The Devka beach is well connected to all the important cities and other beach resorts in the region. Local transport largely consists of non-metered auto rickshaws.
Accommodation
Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. The Devka beach abounds in family vacation beach resorts, beach retreats, beach vacation homes, beach hotels and beach houses. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via beach holiday packages, beach tours and beach holidays. A very interesting feature of Devka Beach is that there are many beach camps and beach resorts that dot all over the long sandy stretch. Many such beach camps and beach resorts offer private beaches that are out of bounds for outsiders.