Top 10 Marinas in India
Sailing the Indian subcontinent means navigating between two monsoon windows and a 7,500-kilometre coastline that encompasses the balmy Kerala backwaters, the strong-winded headlands of Maharashtra, and the island chains of Lakshadweep and the Andaman Sea. For blue-water sailors making the Red Sea or South Africa return passage, India sits astride the critical waypoint between Sri Lanka and the Maldives or Oman. The country's marina infrastructure has historically lagged behind its natural potential, but the last decade has seen genuine investment in facilities, particularly in Goa, Kochi, and Mumbai.
Kochi International Marina, Kerala
Kochi International Marina, adjacent to the historic Fort Kochi waterfront on the Vembanad Lake estuary, is India's most capable yachting facility and the country's first marina to offer shore power berths for vessels up to 60 metres. The marina was developed in partnership with the Kerala government and includes a small chandlery, fuel dock, travel-lift up to 40 tonnes, and a boatyard. Clearance paperwork is handled on site by the customs and immigration team. Kochi itself is one of India's most cosmopolitan cities, with direct flights to Europe, an excellent provisioning market, and the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth at Mattancherry.
Mandovi River Anchorage, Goa
Panaji, the capital of Goa, lies on the north bank of the Mandovi River, and the anchorage off the capital — between the Goa Shipyard at Vasco da Gama and the recreational moorings near Panaji — is the de facto yachting centre of the state. Depth in the main channel runs 7 to 12 metres. The Goa Yacht Club near Miramar Beach is the local racing hub; its reciprocal membership covers most Indian yacht clubs. Provisioning in Goa is outstanding: supermarkets, fresh produce markets, and a hardware infrastructure serve the local expat community year-round.
Mumbai Harbour Anchorage
Mumbai Harbour is huge, deep (15 to 30 metres), and immediately recognisable by the Gateway of India monument at its northern end. Visiting yachts typically anchor off Colaba or Radio Club, whose members' facility is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Asia. Customs and immigration clearance is managed through the Mumbai Port Trust. Provisionment from Crawford Market or the wholesale district of Masjid Bunder — spices, fresh food, canned goods, and chandlery — is unparalleled on the Indian coast. Mumbai is a natural crew-change point given the volume of international flights.
Mangaluru (Mangalore) Anchorage
Mangaluru, midway down the Karnataka coast, offers a sheltered anchorage behind the Gurupur and Netravathi river bars. The New Mangalore Port handles commercial vessels; visiting yachts use the old harbour at Panambur or anchor off the Ullal river mouth, south of the city. Chandlery and provisions are available in Mangaluru city centre. The area is famous for its Tulu-speaking fishing culture, and fresh mackerel, kingfish, and pomfret are available at dockside prices.
Beypore (Chaliyam), Kozhikode
Beypore is a historic port north of Kozhikode (Calicut) on the Kerala coast, the landing point of Vasco da Gama in 1498. The historic dhow-building tradition at Beypore — where Arabian dhows (urus) are still hand-crafted from Malabar teak — makes this one of the most culturally remarkable anchorages on the Indian coast. A small boat basin handles fishing vessels and repair work; visiting yachts anchor off the river bar in 4 to 6 metres. Provisioning from Kozhikode's fresh markets (25 minutes by road) is excellent.
Karaikal Fishing Harbour, Puducherry
Karaikal Fishing Harbour on the Tamil Nadu coast, part of the union territory of Puducherry, is one of the larger protected harbours on the Coromandel Coast. The entrance channel has been dredged to 5 metres. Visiting yachts can use the inner basin alongside fishing vessels. Karaikal town offers reasonable provisioning; the French colonial architecture of Puducherry is 20 kilometres north. This is the nearest significant harbour to the Palk Strait crossing into Sri Lanka.
Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Port
Visakhapatnam on the Andhra Pradesh coast is a naval base, a major container port, and home to Eastern Command of the Indian Navy. Visiting yachts must secure prior permission from the Port Trust and the Navy to anchor in the bay. The Vizag Sailing Club runs club racing on weekends and can assist with local clearances. The city is well provisioned and served by regular flights; the nearby Araku Valley and Eastern Ghats offer excellent interior excursions.
Chennai (Madras) Anchorage
Chennai Harbour, on the Bay of Bengal, is a major commercial port where visiting yachts anchor in a designated area to the south of the main breakwater. Marina Beach — one of the longest urban beaches in the world at 13 kilometres — runs along the seafront. The Royal Madras Yacht Club, founded in 1911 and based at the port's inner basin, assists visiting yachts with local customs formalities and offers reciprocal membership. Provisioning in Chennai is excellent; the city is India's fourth largest.
Vellayil Fishing Harbour, Kozhikode
Vellayil, just south of Kozhikode city, is the main fishing harbour of north Kerala and one of the more accessible commercial harbours for visiting yachts on this coast. It is protected by a concrete breakwater and has depths of 4 to 5 metres in the inner basin. Yachts wishing to seek shelter here during unseasonal weather can berth alongside fishing vessels; the harbour master has historically been accommodating. Fresh fish is available at lowest dockside prices.
Port Blair, Andaman Islands
Port Blair, capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, sits 1,190 kilometres from the Indian mainland across the Bay of Bengal. Visiting yachts require a restricted area permit, obtainable before departure from Indian ports. The Andaman Sailing Club, based at Phoenix Bay, organises sailing events and can advise on the extensive island cruising ground. The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) running north-south through the main island unlocks dozens of remote anchorages in jungle-fringed bays. Water depth in Port Blair harbour averages 10 to 15 metres.
Explore on the map
Use the interactive map to plot the full India passage from Mumbai in the north to Kochi in the south, with anchorages, port approaches, and monsoon routing all visible at once. Discover India on the map for a full picture of one of the Indian Ocean's most compelling cruising coastlines.