Exploring Visakhapatnam: My First Trip to Vizag Beaches, Palm Beach Hotel Stay, South Indian Food & Rushikonda Beach Experience

From savoring idlis and coconut water to watching the waves crash at Rushikonda—discover my unforgettable first-time journey through the stunning beaches and culture of Vizag.

There are some moments in life that you never want to miss—moments you wait for the whole year, when friends come together and, for a while, it feels like you’ve stepped back into your childhood. This time, our schoolmates planned a trip to explore the beaches of Visakhapatnam, and the decision turned out to be a perfect one.

It was my first visit to Vizag. I had never been there before, nor did I know the names of the must-see places. But everything had been arranged in advance—our stay was booked at Palm Beach Hotel, a beautiful property located right by the shore, very close to the station.

As I stepped outside with my luggage, I found my cab waiting—the one I had pre-booked because I didn’t want to waste even a single second. The driver was waiting patiently. I checked the number plate, got in, and we set off. Auto-rickshaws and Uber services were available too, but since my train had already arrived 40 minutes late, and it was now 10:30 in the morning, I was starving. All I wanted was something to eat.

Outside the station, many auto and cab drivers approached me, asking me to take their vehicles—some even offering to drop me at R. K. Beach for 300 rupees. Generally, the cab fare ranges between 300–400 rupees, while an auto costs around 200.

I was terribly hungry, so I asked the cab driver to stop at a hotel for breakfast. He assured me he knew a good place and soon pulled over at a busy eatery, where crowds of people were relishing idlis and dosas. Looking at the different varieties of chutneys, my mouth began to water. I kept asking the vendor to give me idlis, but he wasn’t paying attention. Perhaps he didn’t understand my language. Finally, I pulled out a 500-rupee note, handed it to him, and said clearly that I wanted idli and vada. He quickly took the money and, within moments, served me steaming hot idlis and dosa, accompanied by two kinds of chutneys—one coconut-based and the other a thin, yellowish chutney that was slightly sweet but wonderfully flavorful. No wonder people were waiting eagerly in line for it.

After breakfast, I reached my hotel. Its location was breathtaking—the beach was right beside it, with a private gate leading to the shore. Guests needed to take permission from the watchman and sign a register before heading out, and we were informed that the gate closed after 5 p.m. The waves of the sea kissed the shore and retreated, leaving behind an indescribable feeling. The vast ocean stretched endlessly, dotted with small fishing boats heading far into the waters. The sight filled me with awe.

After freshening up, I went down to the hotel restaurant. The spread was grand, with a mix of local delicacies, continental pasta, and North Indian dishes. But I chose to try all the local South Indian foods, accompanied by fresh juice. The meal was so satisfying, it left me content to the core. I enjoyed so many South Indian dishes—though their names were quite unusual and I can’t recall all of them. What I do remember is idli, dosa, uttapam, curd rice, coconut chutney, ragi soup, pulihora, and many others. Each dish was colorful and unique.

I called my tour guide, who soon arrived with the car as we had arranged earlier. Now, it was time to see, understand, and experience Visakhapatnam. My excitement grew. The guide suggested we first visit Rushikonda Beach. I agreed, trusting him completely.

At Rushikonda, the beach was already dotted with tourists. The shore was rocky, and the waves had carved beautiful patterns on the stones, creating natural sculptures. It was indeed a lovely sight, but I felt it wasn’t entirely safe to walk too close to the rocks—the waves were rising high, crashing hard against them, and one misstep could be dangerous. The sun was blazing, sweat dripping down, so I stopped by a stall and enjoyed a refreshing tender coconut.

The place was stunning—its beauty touched my heart.