Surat's best-known beach, a black-sand shore on the Arabian Sea coast about 21 km south-west of the city (about 23 km from Surat railway station). The black colour is attributed to iron content in the sand. A promenade behind the beach is lined with food stalls selling bhajiya (including the local Lashkari tomato bhajiya), pav bhaji, charcoal-roasted corn and Indian-Chinese snacks, and the Dariya Ganesh Temple stands beside the main beach. Camel and horse rides and ATV and dirt-bike rides are offered, and the beach is used for jogging, yoga and photography. Entry is free and the beach is open round the clock, but visits are advised between sunrise and sunset. Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents. Local folklore holds that the beach was once a Hindu cremation ground and is haunted; these stories are unverified and no documented incidents were found, but the reputation is the reason many travel guides advise against staying after dark.
Dumas Beach is the best-known shoreline of Surat, a black-sand beach on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat, India, roughly 21 km south-west of the city and about 23 km from Surat railway station. The sand is dark grey to black, a colour usually attributed to its iron content, and the sea is typically murky and brown-grey rather than clear, as the coast takes silt from nearby estuaries. The beach is an open, exposed stretch of coast facing the Arabian Sea rather than a sheltered cove, so wind and surf are constant features, and strong currents make swimming inadvisable. Visitors treat it as a place to walk, eat and watch the sunset rather than to bathe.
The atmosphere is that of a busy local promenade. A walkway behind the beach is lined with food stalls selling bhajiya, including the local Lashkari tomato bhajiya, as well as pav bhaji, charcoal-roasted corn and Indian-Chinese snacks, which makes it a popular evening outing for families and groups from Surat. The Dariya Ganesh Temple stands beside the main beach. Camel and horse rides and ATV and dirt-bike rides are offered on the sand, and the shore is also used for jogging, yoga and photography. There are no sun loungers in the Western resort sense, and no lifeguard schedule was documented, so visitors should treat the water as unsupervised.
Entry is free and the beach is open round the clock, although visits are advised between sunrise and sunset. Local folklore holds that the site was once a Hindu cremation ground and is haunted; these stories are unverified and no documented incidents were found, but the reputation is the reason many guides advise against staying after dark. The beach is managed by Surat Municipal Corporation.
Access is by road. A taxi or app cab (Ola, Uber, Rapido) is the simplest option from the city, and city and private buses run from Surat's bus stations. The Sitilink app lists BRTS routes serving Dumas. The beach lies about 7 km from Surat airport, which makes it a convenient first or last stop for air travellers. The best months are November to February, when highs are around 30-34°C and conditions are dry; June to September brings roughly 1,190 mm of monsoon rain, strong winds and rougher seas.
| Distance | About 21 km south-west of Surat; about 23 km from Surat railway station and about 7 km from Surat airport |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Taxi or app cab (Ola, Uber, Rapido) from the city; city and private buses run from Surat's bus stations; check the Sitilink app for BRTS routes serving Dumas |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Best season | November to February (dry, 30-34°C highs); avoid June to September when about 1,190 mm of monsoon rain falls |
| Address | Dumas Beach, Dumas, Surat, Gujarat, India (managed by Surat Municipal Corporation) |
Amenities
- food stalls and snack vendors on the promenade
- camel and horse rides
- ATV and dirt-bike rides
- Dariya Ganesh Temple beside the main beach
Good to know
- Best for
- sunset views, street snacks, photography, evening strolls
- Water
- Strong currents; swimming is not recommended
Location
Dumas Beach, Dumas, Surat, Gujarat, India (managed by Surat Municipal Corporation)
21.0792, 72.7153 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the black-sand shore, whose dark colour is attributed to iron content
- Sample Lashkari tomato bhajiya, pav bhaji and roasted corn from the promenade stalls
- Watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea from the open shoreline
- Visit the Dariya Ganesh Temple beside the main beach
- Try a camel, horse or ATV ride on the sand
Tips for visiting
- Visit between sunrise and sunset; folklore and guides advise against staying after dark.
- Avoid swimming, as strong currents make the water unsafe.
- Arrive in the late afternoon for sunset, but expect crowds at weekends and on holidays.
- Agree the price of camel, horse or ATV rides before starting.
- Use an app cab (Ola, Uber, Rapido) for the return trip, as late-evening transport thins out.
- Carry a change of footwear, as the dark sand gets very hot at midday.
When to visit
November to February offers dry weather with highs of 30-34°C; late afternoon to early evening suits sunset and the food stalls. Avoid June to September, when heavy monsoon rain falls.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is Dumas Beach safe for swimming?
Swimming is not recommended because of strong currents. Most visitors walk the shore, eat at the stalls and stay out of the water.
Is there an entry fee for Dumas Beach?
Entry is free and the beach is open round the clock, although visits are advised between sunrise and sunset.
How far is Dumas Beach from Surat?
It is about 21 km south-west of Surat and about 23 km from Surat railway station, reached by taxi, app cab or bus.
Why is the sand black at Dumas Beach?
The dark colour is attributed to the iron content of the sand.
Is Dumas Beach really haunted?
Local folklore says the beach was once a cremation ground and is haunted, but these stories are unverified and no documented incidents were found.