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.

Contents
- 1 Starting Point: Gulf of Kutch (Arabian Sea)
- 2 Coastal Turn: Dwarka to Porbandar
- 3 Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay)
- 4 Daman, Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli
- 5 Mumbai and Offshore Islands
- 6 Ports and Coast Further South
- 7 Karnataka Coast (Kanara Coast)
- 8 Kerala Coast (Malabar Coast)
- 9 Naming of India’s West Coast (UPSC Favourite)
- 10 Why This Matters for UPSC
- 11 Check out our GS Geography Course – Click Here
- 12 FAQs
Starting Point: Gulf of Kutch (Arabian Sea)
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
Check out our GS Geography Course – Click Here
FAQs
- #WestCoastOfIndiaUPSC: What are the major physical and economic features of India’s West Coast?
- #GulfOfKutchUPSC: Why is the Gulf of Kutch important from a geographical and strategic perspective?
- #GulfOfKhambhatUPSC: Which rivers drain into the Gulf of Khambhat and why is this region significant?
- #IndianCoastalGeographyUPSC: How are the Konkan, Kanara, and Malabar coasts different from each other?
