For UPSC, physical geography revision works best when done coastwise and sequentially, not randomly. This blog revises the major water bodies, coastal features, ports, islands, and river mouths along India’s West Coast, exactly in the order aspirants should visualise them on the map.
This is especially useful for Prelims map questions and GS Geography revision.
The Gulf of Kutch is an inlet of the Arabian Sea, located in western Gujarat.
North: Kutch Peninsula
South: Kathiawar (Saurashtra) Peninsula
Kathiawar is a beak-like projection, giving Gujarat a highly indented coastline
Key Features
Pirotan Island: Part of a Marine National Park, known for marine biodiversity
Kandla Port & Mundra Port: Major ports in the northern Gulf of Kutch
SEZs like Pipavav located along the coast
Tuhar Moti: Westernmost point near the Gulf of Kutch
Dholavira: Harappan site located in the Kutch region
Rann of Kutch
Salt marsh region
‘Rann’ refers to local lakes and swamps
During heavy rainfall, some Ranns form temporary islands (e.g., Nora Island, Peth Island)
Coastal Turn: Dwarka to Porbandar
Moving southward along the Kathiawar coast:
Dwarka lies near the coastal tip
Porbandar is an important coastal city
This stretch shows numerous inlets and indentations, a classic feature of a ria-type coastline, which explains why Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.
Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay)
The Gulf of Khambhat is another major inlet of the Arabian Sea.
Rivers Draining into the Gulf
Sabarmati River
Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad lie along its banks
Mahi River
Originates from the Malwa Plateau
Narmada River
Mouth near Bharuch
Tapi River
Mouth near Surat
Important Locations
Bhavnagar: Linked to oil and industrial activity
Dahej–Bhavnagar Ro-Ro Ferry: India’s first roll-on roll-off ferry service
Bharuch: Near Narmada mouth, oil pipeline terminal
Surat: Textile hub, diamond polishing centre
Piram Island
A sandbar island
Formed due to sediment deposition by rivers
Daman, Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Daman & Diu: Coastal Union Territory
Dadra & Nagar Haveli: Landlocked
To access the coast, one must pass through Daman
Mumbai and Offshore Islands
Mumbai lies on the Konkan Coast.
Important Features
Salsette Island
Elephanta Caves (UNESCO site)
Butcher Island
One of the largest IOC oil storage facilities
Mumbai remains one of India’s most important natural harbours.
Ports and Coast Further South
Maharashtra
Mumbai Port
Upcoming Vadhavan Port (Palghar district)
Expected to be among the largest ports globally
Goa
Rivers: Mandovi and Zuari
Mormugao Port: Major port on the west coast
Karnataka Coast (Kanara Coast)
Karwar: Location of Project Seabird, an important naval base
Mangaluru (Mangalore) Port
Located at the confluence of Netravati and Kumaradhara rivers
Major port for exports
Kerala Coast (Malabar Coast)
Southernmost stretch of the west coast
Known for:
Lagoons and backwaters
Narrow coastal plains
Referred to as the Malabar Coast
Naming of India’s West Coast (UPSC Favourite)
Kutch–Kathiawar–Gujarat coast: Highly indented
Konkan Coast: Maharashtra & Goa
Kanara Coast: Karnataka
Malabar Coast: Kerala
Why This Matters for UPSC
What this really means is:
Most map-based prelims questions come from coasts, river mouths, islands, and ports
UPSC often tests sequence + association
Understanding why Gujarat’s coastline is long, or why certain ports developed, helps eliminate options instantly
