Sun and sand: Bapatla beckons tourists with beach tourism
Along the eastern coastline of Andhra Pradesh, where the Bay of Bengal stretches endlessly into the horizon, and golden sands meet the rhythm of tides
Along the eastern coastline of Andhra Pradesh, where the Bay of Bengal stretches endlessly into the horizon, and golden sands meet the rhythm of tides, the beaches of the Bapatla district are quietly scripting a new tourism story. Once known largely for weekend visitors and local pilgrimages, the district’s coastal belt is now transforming into an ambitious tourism destination with improved connectivity, upgraded safety systems, ecological attractions and livelihood opportunities for coastal communities. At the heart of this transformation lies Suryalanka Beach, one of the most recognisable coastal destinations in Andhra Pradesh, located near Bapatla town overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Known for its long, serene shoreline and relatively calm ambience compared to commercial beach destinations, Suryalanka has long occupied a special place in the cultural memory of coastal Andhra. For locals, the beach is more than a tourism destination – it is a place of identity. According to local belief, the name “Suryalanka” is derived from the Telugu word Surya, meaning the Sun. Residents say the area earned its name because people living near the coast could witness the first rays of the rising sun emerging from the horizon of the sea. The spectacle of dawn at Suryalanka, where the sun slowly rises over the waters of the Bay of Bengal, continues to draw tourists, pilgrims, photographers and families alike. Today, however, Suryalanka’s appeal extends beyond its sunrise. X factor for the shift With Andhra Pradesh witnessing renewed focus on coastal development, Bapatla district is positioning itself as a major beach tourism hub. A critical factor driving this shift is better road infrastructure. The beaches of Bapatla are now directly connected to Hyderabad through recently developed national highway networks, significantly reducing travel time and making the district more accessible for tourists from Telangana and inland regions. The recently developed Highway number 167A directly connects Vodarevu beach, very near to Suryalanka beach in Bapatla district, with Piduguralla in Palnadu district, from where a well-developed road connects to Hyderabad. Officials believe this enhanced connectivity could fundamentally reshape tourism patterns in the district. Weekend tourism, short family vacations and corporate retreats are expected to increase as road travel becomes easier and more predictable. Yet, accessibility alone does not define Bapatla’s tourism ambitions.
The district administration is working on an integrated coastal tourism model designed to combine recreation, safety, ecology and livelihood generation. ₹98-cr. tourism scheme Among the most significant initiatives underway is a ₹98-crore tourism development project at Suryalanka Beach. Bapatla Collector Dr. V. Vinod Kumar told The Hindu that under the Centre- Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, tourism development works worth nearly ₹98 crore have been sanctioned for the district. Of this, projects worth around ₹50 crore under Cluster 1 are currently under implementation, focusing on enhancing tourism facilities and visitor experience. Conceived as part of an ambitious coastal tourism vision, the project includes a modern promenade, an experience and parking centre, and facilities for water sports and houseboat tourism. Construction activity is already in progress on the promenade section, envisioned as a public-friendly coastal space equipped with seating areas, sanitation facilities, changing rooms, open-air recreation spaces and photography zones. Authorities expect the infrastructure to elevate the visitor experience while encouraging tourists to spend longer durations at the beach. The District Collector added that adventure tourism has already gained momentum at four locations in and around Suryalanka Beach. Visitors can participate in activities such as ATV rides, jet skiing, water zorbing and paramotoring. Tourism officials are also exploring the feasibility of introducing backwater rides and kayaking facilities at Etimoga village in Chinaganjam mandal. Two beach shacks proposed The district is expected to benefit from the Andhra Pradesh government’s recently approved beach shack policy. As part of the pilot phase, two beach shacks will be established in the Bapatla district – one at Suryalanka Beach and another at Ramapuram Beach near Chirala. Officials believe the initiative will attract more domestic and international tourists. In another major development, eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed for the construction of tourism resorts in the district. Authorities have also finalised an MoU for introducing houseboat tourism on the Perali Canal, opening up new opportunities for leisure and eco-tourism. A first-of-its-kind beach office But tourism planners say infrastructure without safety can undermine growth. This understanding has given rise to one of Bapatla’s most innovative coastal interventions – a comprehensive Beach Office system. Designed as a single-window service and monitoring centre, the Beach Office seeks to bring together nearly ten departments under one roof, including marine police, local police, fisheries, tourism, revenue, panchayat, forest and survey departments.
The BriefWire