Visakhapatnam-Kakinada sea cruise

The Visakhapatnam–Kakinada Sea Cruise is an exciting tourism initiative launched to showcase the stunning coastline of Andhra Pradesh. This cruise service connects the bustling city of Visakhapatnam (Vizag) with the historic port city of Kakinada, offering travelers a mix of luxury, leisure, and breathtaking ocean views. It is a perfect getaway for tourists, honeymooners, and families seeking a unique travel experience along the Bay of Bengal. 

 Highlights of the Sea Cruise

• 🚢 Modern Cruise Ship Facilities – Equipped with luxury cabins, onboard dining, and entertainment.

• 🌊 Scenic Bay of Bengal Views – Experience sunrise and sunset from the deck.

• 🎶 Cultural Performances – Onboard programs showcasing Andhra’s rich heritage.

• 🍲 Multi-Cuisine Dining – From Andhra delicacies to international dishes.

• 🏝 Shore Excursions – Explore Kakinada’s Hope Island and nearby beaches.

Route & Travel Details

• Starting Point: Visakhapatnam Port

• Destination: Kakinada Port

• Travel Duration: Approx. 8–10 hours, depending on weather conditions.

• Distance by Sea: Nearly 150 km along the Andhra coastline.

Ticket Price & Booking

• 🎟 Ticket Price Range: ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 per person (varies based on cabin type).

• 💻 Booking Options:

  • Official Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) portal

  • Authorized travel operators and cruise booking platforms

  • Walk-in bookings at Vizag and Kakinada ports (subject to availability)

Best Time to Take the Cruise

• October to March – Pleasant weather and calm seas make this the ideal time.

• Avoid monsoon months (June–September) due to rough sea conditions.

Nearby Attractions

In Visakhapatnam (Starting Point):

• Kailasagiri Hill Park – Panoramic views of the city and coastline.

• Submarine Museum (INS Kursura) – India’s first submarine-turned-museum.

• Ramakrishna Beach & Yarada Beach – Ideal for pre-cruise relaxation.

In Kakinada (Destination):

• Hope Island – A serene eco-tourism spot accessible by boat.

• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary – Famous for mangroves and birdwatching.

• Uppada Beach – Known for silk weaving and calm coastal charm.

Why Choose the Vizag–Kakinada Cruise?

• A unique way to experience Andhra Pradesh’s coast.

• Offers both luxury and adventure for domestic and international tourists.

• Perfect for weekend getaways, corporate trips, and family holidays.

FAQs

1. How often does the Vizag–Kakinada cruise operate?
The cruise usually runs on selected weekends and holidays, depending on demand and weather conditions.

2. Can families and kids travel on this cruise?
Yes, it is family-friendly with safe cabins and entertainment for all age groups.

3. What facilities are available onboard?
Cabins, dining halls, cultural programs, lounges, and deck viewing areas.

4. Are pets allowed on the cruise?
Most services do not allow pets for safety reasons.

5. How to book tickets?
Through the APTDC official portal or authorized travel agencies.

Conclusion

The Visakhapatnam–Kakinada Sea Cruise is a shining example of Andhra Pradesh’s growing focus on coastal tourism and luxury travel. Blending natural beauty, cultural experiences, and modern comforts, the cruise offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience on the Bay of Bengal. Whether you’re a tourist, a honeymooner, or a family traveler, this sea voyage promises memories you’ll cherish forever.

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Guntupalli Buddhist Caves -Jeelakarragudem

Exploring Guntupalli’s Buddhist Caves & Monuments

 Nestled amid the scenic hills of West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, the Jeelakarragudem (Guntupalli) Caves are a rare glimpse into India’s Buddhist past. This lesser-known archaeological gem presents rock-cut chaityas, monastic cells, stupas, and ancient mandapas—constructs dating as far back as the 3rd century BC. Let’s uncover the secrets of this tranquil site and why it deserves a spot on the heritage map. 

 

Jeelakarragudem, village belonging to Guntupalle is located at the distance of 6.4 kms from Kamarvarapukota and 47 kms from Eluru, westgodavari. 

  

Guntupalli is dotted with some of the finest specimens of monolithic and structural Buddhist remains datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC to 5th-6th century AD. The important monuments located are: rock cut temple or vritta chaitya, large monastery, small monastery, brick chaitya, ruined mandapa, stone stupa and cluster of votive stupas.

Rock cut Temple(Vritta Chaitya): Datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC, the vritta chaitya is circular on plan and enshrines a rock cut votive stupa provided with a small circumambulatory path around it. Locally known as Dharmalingeswara, it has vaulted domical ceiling marked by carved ribs while its exterior shows an arched facade, with ornamental rafts resembling famous Sudama and Lamasrishi caves of Bihar.
Large Monastery: Excavated into the sandstone cliff, the monastery contains a series of cells of varying dimensions meant for the monks to live in. It has a main entrance with the windows on sides, a narrow terrace and verandah. Both the entrances as well as the widows invariably bear arched facades akin to that of vritta chaitya. Marked by its simplicity the entire monastery is devoid of any ornamentation or decoration and thus attributed to the earliest Buddhist monastic architecture. Some of the cells were provided with deep cut channels to facilitate the rainwater drain in to a natural fissure located on the backside of the monastery.
Small Monastery: This rock cut vihara, located at a higher elevation of the hill is relatively smaller in dimension. In all there are five cells in it, which are crudely excavated and some remained unfinished. Due to the ravages of nature its façade was badly affected leaving behind traces of gables on it.
Group of Stupas: Located on one of the terraces of hilltop and numbering more than sixty, these votive stupas erected on different occasions and time frames vary in their shape, size and mode of construction. Fashioned out of stone and also in brick, these votive stupas were set up on stone or brick basements. Amongst them are also seen small apsidal and circular votive chaityas.
Stone stupa: Datable to the 2nd century BC, this stupa with block stone veneering was subjected to partial excavations in the last quarter of 19th century. Considerable damage was done to its dome by the treasure hunters even before the excavations. The dome measures 2.62m height and 4.88m dia was erected over a circular basement. The excavations have yielded a stone relic casket containing gold and rock crystal.
Ruined Mandapa: The monument, presently represented by four standing broken stumps of the pillars was once supposed to be part of a large pillared assembly hall meant for the monks. An inscribed stone pillar retrieved during the clearance work speaks of the existence of a pillared mandapa, which received donations from the 1st to 5th century AD. The dimension of the original assembly hall was estimated as 56 ft.x34ft and was provided with entrance porches on eastern and western sides respectively.
Circular Brick Chaitya Griha: Datable to C. 3rd-2nd century BC, it is at the eastern extreme of the hill over an elevated terrace, approached by a long flight of stone steps. A record of an upasika datable to 2nd-1st century BC refers to the setting up of these stone steps at the entrance platform. Its external diameter is 11 m and has an imposing adhistana. The wall of chaityagriha rises to 80 cm height and measure 2.14 m wide. It houses a stupa at the center. The circumambulatory path around the stupa is 1.38 m wide.

Buddhist Monuments.

 

Visiting Details and Tips

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: Cooler months (October–March) are ideal to explore comfortably.
• How to Reach: Located near Guntupalli; closest town is Kamavarapukota (~6 km away). Combine the visit with nearby heritage sites like Belum Caves for a full-day heritage excursion.
• On-site Essentials: Wear sturdy shoes, pack water and snacks, and plan for a light trek upward to the terraces.

 Though less talked about, these sites resonate deeply with heritage explorers and historians—capturing quiet reverence and ancient craftsmanship. 

 

“The rock-cut part… has two Buddhist caves, a chaitya hall and a large group of stupas… the chaitya hall has a rare carved stone entrance replicating wooden architecture…”

 

Quick Itinerary Suggestion

Time	Activity
Morning	Arrive at Jeelakarragudem → Explore monastery caves and chaityas
Midday	Ascend to the stupa terrace → Photograph votive stupas
Afternoon	Visit the ruined mandapa and brick chaitya → Reflect in the serene surroundings

Explore Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train, operated by IRCTC.

 

Nearby Attractions

•  Munjaluru Waterfalls – Famous water falls.

• Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary– A Bird paradise and migratory birds must watch.

• Buddha Park, Eluru– A famous park in eluru.

 

 

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