Vijayawada to Bapatla and Chirala Beaches by Car: Suryalanka, Vodarevu and Ramapuram

Three beaches, one stretch of coast

South of the Krishna delta, the coast of Bapatla district has three beaches that suit a day trip from Vijayawada: Suryalanka (also called Bapatla Beach), Vodarevu (also called Chirala Beach) and Ramapuram. The Bapatla district website lists all three under eco tourism and describes each in a line.

They are quite different in feel, so it helps to pick before you set out. The table summarises how the district website and travel writing describe them.

Distance and journey time

Sources give slightly different figures because the road can be taken in more than one way. As a planning guide, Suryalanka and Chirala are each roughly 95–115 km from Vijayawada, and Suryalanka and Vodarevu are about 24–28 km apart. A two-beach day therefore comes to roughly 230–260 km round trip, with about 2.5 to 3 hours of driving each way.

Route

The usual road heads towards Guntur and Bapatla, where the turn to Suryalanka is, then continues south along the coastal side towards Chirala and Vodarevu. Because several approach roads exist, your driver will pick the best one for traffic and road conditions on the day. Check live directions before leaving, especially at the final stretch to each beach.

Which beach should you choose?

Suryalanka

The easiest to reach and the most developed, with resorts nearby. Travel writing notes that local families flock here on weekends, so a weekday or an early morning gives a calmer experience. It is the better choice if swimming and a longer stay are the priority, though conditions still vary.

Vodarevu

A fishing-village beach reached through coconut groves, popular for sunrise and sunset. The district website mentions water sports, fishing and boat rides, though what is running on a given day varies, so do not plan around a particular activity without checking.

Ramapuram

Chosen by people who want quiet. It has a reputation for being clean and peaceful. Facilities are more limited, so carry water and snacks.

A realistic day plan

Two beaches in a day is comfortable; three is a stretch. A balanced plan:

1. 6:30 amLeave Vijayawada.
2. 9:00–9:30 amArrive at Suryalanka, walk the beach and have breakfast.
3. 12:00 pmDrive on to Chirala (about 24–28 km to Vodarevu) and have lunch.
4. 2:00–5:00 pmVodarevu or Ramapuram, with a rest and sunset if you want it.
5. 5:30 pmStart back to Vijayawada, reaching around 8:00–9:00 pm.

This is a suggestion. Entry fees, food, boat rides and resort day-use charges are separate. If you want to stay overnight, tell us and we can quote for an extra day.

Beach safety and season

• Stay near the shore, never swim after dark or in rough water, and keep children within arm’s reach.
• Follow local signs and instructions. Some beaches in the region have had areas where bathing is discouraged.
• November to February is generally pleasant. Summer middays are very hot with little shade.
• Check the weather and any coastal warnings before you leave.

Vehicle options and fare

A sedan suits up to four people. For families with children and beach gear, an SUV or MPV gives more space, and a tempo traveller fits larger groups where available. Our vehicle guide compares them.

We quote each trip individually. The fare depends on the vehicle, kilometres, waiting time at the beaches, tolls, parking and how many beaches you add. We do not publish a fixed price.

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Prefer a shorter drive? See Manginapudi Beach near Machilipatnam, or a quiet resort stay at Dindi.

Sources

• Bapatla district website, Eco Tourism: Suryalanka (about 9 km from Bapatla), Vodarevu (8 km from Chirala) and Ramapuram.
• Outlook Traveller, “Top 10 beaches of Andhra Pradesh”, and travel portals for distances from Vijayawada.

Related services: taxi services in Vijayawada and outstation car travels.