Kakinada is one of the largest cities of Andhra Pradesh and has some of the most pristine beaches on the Bay of Bengal. Due to the pleasant weather and serene environment it offers, it is also referred to as the ‘Pensioner’s Paradise’. The town has been planned meticulously and the city was once a trading post. Kakinada Beach is one of the hotspots in India for tourists wanting to just relax and soothe their senses while they become one with nature. The beaches here are not crowded and tourist spots are not yet explored fully, proving many opportunities for tourists to relax and stay away from the noise. Kakinada Beach is the most famous among the beaches here, and it has been recently developed with musical fountains, food courts, India’s first glass bridge and a convention hall for official and private functions.
The city of Kakinada is not an ancient city, and thus there are not many historical stories associated with it. However, the locals have some tales about the name of the city. The name of the city was initially Kakanandivadu during the reign of Nandi Chiefs. With the arrival of Europeans, the place came to be known as Co-Canada. Then, once India attained independence, the name was again changed to a shorter version of Kakanandivadu- Kakinada.
Kakinada has many things to do apart from just sightseeing. There is a rich culture to experience and delectable cuisines that one can try. There are historical monuments and even a wildlife sanctuary where one can witness animals in their natural habitat. However, there are several activities that one can indulge in on the beach. Some of the things to do in Kakinada Beach include:
Kakinada beach is the highlight of the city, and we cannot start any conversation about the city without talking about the beach. It is not crowded, and you can have quality time with your friends and family, or you can even consider visiting solo to clear your mind. Kakinada beach is not as commercialized as the more popular beaches along the Bay of Bengal. You can sunbathe or just have a good time lying around on the sand. Photographers find great pleasure in capturing the essence of the sea as the waves hit the shore.
One of the specialties of Kakinada, Kaaja is an enjoyable treat that is gaining immense popularity across the country. You can also find it on Kakinada Beach, and relish the taste while you enjoy the view of calm ocean waves. Several other dishes from the local cuisine can be tried while you’re at Kakinada Beach. The food court among other things has been recently developed to give a boost to tourism in Kakinada.
At a distance of about 12 km from Kakinada Beach is Hope Island, which can be easily accessed by ferries and boats. If you like the thrill of riding on ocean waves and wish to visit a secluded island, this is the place for you.
One of the major reasons for the beach catching the attention of visitors from outside the city and state is the Kakinada Beach Festival. It is an annual event and has gained recognition due to the likes of A.R. Rahman and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam performing here on stage during one of the editions of the event.
India’s first glass bridge was constructed on the Kakinada Beach as part of the Swadesh Darshan program. One can view the water under the bridge while walking on the bridge. The bridge is surrounded by greenery and water on all sites, making the walk a rejuvenating experience.
Winters are pleasant and are an ideal time to visit the city. Winter temperatures can also go up to 30 degrees Celsius and it never gets very chilly. As a matter of fact, it is suggested to visit just before the onset of winters so that you can take a dip in the sea to get a respite from the heat that you will experience. The best months to visit Kakinada Beach are October and March. Summers are not the ideal time to visit Kakinada Beach for sightseeing. The temperatures can soar to around 40 degrees Celsius, but you can relax at one of the luxurious resorts along the beach, and take dips in the cool sea anytime the heat starts getting to you. Monsoons bring with them moderate rainfall and the temperatures hover around 22-degree mark on the Celsius scale.
Kakinada is one of the cities under the Prime Minister’s Smart Cities Mission. Thus, accessibility is one aspect that has been taken care of and will be improved in the future. The industrial city has several edible oil refineries, agro product industries, and fertilizer industries. Thus, the city is also frequented by people visiting for business, apart from people visiting for leisure.
How to reach Kakinada Beach by air: Rajahmundry Airport is the nearest airport to Kakinada. The distance from the city is approximately 62 km and one can reach here in little over an hour. However, this is not a very busy airport. The nearest international airport is Visakhapatnam Airport. It is located at a distance of around 160 km and is an approximately 3.5-hour drive from the beach. There are regular flights to Visakhapatnam from major cities of India as well as important cities across the globe. Further, at a distance of nearly 500 km, Hyderabad airport is an overnight journey from Kakinada.
How to reach Kakinada Beach by rail: There is a railway station in Kakinada, and it is called Kakinada Junction. Several trains pass through the station. The other railway station in the area is Samalkot Railway Station, which is situated at a distance of about 12 km from Kakinada. The major railway station here is Visakhapatnam, located at a distance of approximately 166 km.
How to reach Kakinada Beach by road: Regular buses ply to Kakinada from all the important neighboring cities including Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, and Narsapur. The road network is efficient and the roads are well-maintained at Kakinada. The beach is also well-connected by road.
Kakinada to Vijayawada: 222 km (approx. 4.5 hours)
Kakinada to Rajahmundry: 62 km (approx. 1.5 hours)
Kakinada to Hyderabad: 493 km (approx. 9 hours)
Kakinada to Visakhapatnam: 153 km (approx. 3 hours)
Traditional Andhra food is extremely popular in Kakinada. Some of the items that are very famous and specially prepared here include mango pickle, mutton, fish, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables. Kakinada Kaja is a very famous delicacy of the city and is popular all over the country. In addition to this, street food is also very popular in Kakinada. You may try bhajis and Pidatha kindha pappu during your stay here. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is equally available at Kakinada. Pesarattu, a green gram dosa served with different chutneys, is also popular in the city of Kakinada. Other South Indian dishes that are popular in the city are Pesar and Attu. Most of the restaurants here offer homely food to their guests.
The culture prevalent in the city of Kakinada is vast and rich. The people speak Telugu with a Godavari accent and the residents of the city are hospitable. The youngsters believe in migrating to bigger cities in search of better education or jobs. However, there are also several people who are running small businesses, thus making the city self-sustaining. While higher education opportunities are better elsewhere, there are a lot of successful education programs in the city.
There are several cities you can visit during your stay at Kakinada for a day or two. Rajahmundry is the nearest major city, and it is located at a distance of 46 km from the city of Kakinada. Located on the banks of the Godavari River, Rajahmundry is also known as the cultural capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam is also very close to Kakinada, and the 143 km distance can be easily covered in 3 hours. It is one of the oldest, and maybe most popular, port cities of the state. There are beaches here too and it is a good idea to just sit on the sand and relax. However, one may also choose to experience the city life here. Vijayawada, Guntur, Warangal – all of these are easily accessible from the city and one can visit any of these cities for a day or two.
While Kakinada is extremely popular for the beaches, there are also a lot of other things to be done in the city. The city is a balanced combination of historical monuments, pilgrimage sites, and beaches. Also, the city presents a lot of business opportunities, hence attracting a lot of business travellers. These are the reasons why the city is also a part of the Smart Cities Mission of the prime minister – it is a fast-evolving city set to progress at a very fast pace.
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