Chorwad Beach: The Nawab's Palace and Quiet Coast Near Somnath

A short drive up the coast from the temple town of Somnath, the seaside village of Chorwad offers a rare blend of royal history, quiet beauty and modern legend. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers Chorwad beach, its Nawabi palace and famous roots, how to reach it, important safety advice and how to add it to a Somnath trip.

About Chorwad beach

Chorwad beach is a quiet, scenic stretch of the Arabian Sea coast in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, about 37 km from Somnath. Once a sleepy fishing village, it rose to fame as the seaside summer retreat of the pleasure-loving Nawabs of Junagadh, whose grand palace still stands, now in ruins, above the shore. Far less crowded than the beaches of Somnath or Diu and relatively clean, Chorwad is a peaceful escape, with rocky shores, casuarina trees, gentle sea breezes and the sight of local fishing boats bobbing on the waves. It is treasured as a place of history and calm rather than a busy resort beach, an ideal excursion for those seeking a quiet, unhurried coast. The village itself, with its narrow lanes and traditional Saurashtra lifestyle, adds to the charm, giving Chorwad the feel of a place that time has gently passed by.

Chorwad beach at a glance

Chorwad Palace, the Nawab's summer retreat

The crowning feature of Chorwad is its historic seaside palace, built in the 1930s by the last Nawab of Junagadh as a summer retreat facing the sea. Rather than escape the summer heat in the hill stations of India or Europe, the Nawab chose to cool himself in the fresh Arabian Sea breezes at Chorwad and the elegant Daria Mahal or sea palace, he built here is said to have been the first beach-palace resort of its kind in India. In later years it served as a holiday camp and resort, though today the palace stands mostly in ruins, its faded grandeur and once-landscaped gardens a haunting, romantic sight above the shore. Walking around the old palace, with the sea crashing below, is the highlight of a Chorwad visit. The same Nawab of Junagadh who built this seaside retreat also ruled the historic fort city of Junagadh at the foot of Girnar, so Chorwad is part of that wider royal story, a reminder of the princely history of Saurashtra before it joined independent India.

Birthplace of Dhirubhai Ambani

Chorwad holds a special place in modern Indian history as the birthplace of the business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries and one of the most celebrated industrialists India has produced. Born in Chorwad in 1932 to a village schoolteacher's family, he spent his childhood here before rising to build one of the country's greatest business empires. His childhood home in the village is preserved as a memorial house, the Dhirubhai Ambani Memorial, with photographs of his life and a short film and is open to visitors for a token entry fee. For many, a visit to this humble house, an inspiring reminder of how far he travelled from these modest beginnings, is as memorable as the palace and the beach. It sits close to the coast, within easy reach on a Chorwad visit, so many people pair the palace, the beach and the memorial into one meaningful stop that spans royal history and modern legend alike.

The beach and its scenery

Beyond its history, Chorwad is prized for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The coast here has rocky shores and stretches of soft sand, fringed by casuarina trees whose gentle rustle adds to the calm and the powerful, thunderous sound of the Arabian Sea, especially at high tide, gives the beach a wild, majestic feel. Local fishing boats dot the water and the sea breezes are wonderfully fresh. In the palace grounds, horse rides along the beach on Kathiawadi thoroughbreds, once housed at the palace, are sometimes offered, a regal touch. With its sunrises and sunsets, its ruins and its quiet, Chorwad is a photographer's delight and a lovely place simply to sit and breathe in the sea air. For travellers weary of the crowds at the great temples, a few unhurried hours at Chorwad, with only the waves and the ruins for company, can be one of the most restful parts of a Saurashtra trip.

Is Chorwad beach safe for swimming?

No, Chorwad beach is not safe for swimming and this is important to know before you visit. The sea here is rough, with powerful waves and strong currents. More than this, the very name Chorwad is said to mean unpredictable sand in the local language, a reference to the way the sand on the beach and in the shallows can suddenly shift and give way, which has caused accidents in the past. For these reasons, you should not enter the sea to swim or wade deep at Chorwad, however inviting it looks. Instead, enjoy the beach for what it does best: peaceful walks along the shore, photography at sunrise and sunset and simply soaking in the fresh sea air, always keeping a safe distance from the water's edge. Keep a close eye on children near the water and treat the thunderous, majestic sea here as a sight to admire from the shore rather than a place to bathe.

How to reach Chorwad beach

Chorwad lies about 37 km from Somnath, roughly 8 km west off the Junagadh to Somnath highway near Gadu town. By road, the easiest way, you can hire a cab or drive from Somnath in about 45 to 60 minutes and a Somnath Dwarka taxi service can arrange the trip as part of your Somnath sightseeing. By train, the nearest station is Chorwad Road, about 6 km away, connected to Junagadh and Veraval, while for major rail links Veraval, about 20 to 30 km away, is used. The nearest airports are Keshod, about 30 km away and Diu. See our how to reach Somnath guide, as most visitors come via Somnath.

Best time to visit Chorwad beach

The best time to visit Chorwad beach is the cooler season, roughly November to February, when the coastal weather is pleasant for walks and sightseeing, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The late afternoon is the most beautiful and photogenic time, as the light softens over the ruined palace and the sea and the sunset is lovely. Avoid the monsoon, roughly June to September, when the sea is especially rough and the winds high, making the coast both unpleasant and more dangerous. An early morning or late afternoon visit in the winter is ideal for enjoying Chorwad at its peaceful best.

Combine Chorwad with Somnath and the coast

Chorwad is best enjoyed as a half-day excursion from Somnath, easily combined with the temple town and the wider coast. After darshan at the Somnath temple and the sacred sites, a drive up to Chorwad makes a peaceful change of pace and it pairs well with other spots covered in our places to visit near Somnath and Diu guide. From here you can continue to Diu, the beach island or head towards Gir for a lion safari or up the coast towards Dwarka. Adding Chorwad gives a Somnath trip a touch of royal history and quiet coastal beauty away from the crowds.

Tips for visiting Chorwad beach

A few pointers make your visit better, safer and more rewarding:

• Do not swim or wade deep, as the sea is rough and the sand can shift dangerously underfoot; stay well back from the water.

• Visit in the late afternoon for the best light on the ruined palace and the sea and for the sunset.

• Explore the ruined Nawab's palace and the nearby Dhirubhai Ambani memorial house for the town's rich history.

• Carry water, sun protection and a camera, as there are few facilities at the quiet, undeveloped beach.

• Hire a car or taxi from Somnath, the easiest and most convenient way to reach and return from Chorwad.

• Take care walking among the palace ruins, which are old, unmaintained and uneven underfoot.

Plan your Somnath trip

Chorwad is a lovely offbeat addition to a Somnath pilgrimage. Read our sightseeing places in Somnath for the temple town, follow our Somnath itinerary for a ready plan, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages include Chorwad and the coast in your itinerary. The Nawabi heritage of Chorwad also connects to the wider story of Junagadh, the fort city of the Nawabs, worth adding to a Saurashtra tour.

Related guides

To plan the rest of your Saurashtra trip, these related guides help:

Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Somnath trip with Chorwad and the coast. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.