AKIPRESS.COM - India has three of the top 10 beaches in Asia, a survey by the travel website TripAdvisor said.

The three beaches are: Agonda, Palolem (both in Goa) and Radhanagar on Havelock Island in the Andamans, according to the TripAdvisor survey of visitors to its website.

"India, with its extensive shoreline, is dotted with beautiful stretches of sand and it's great to see these gems gaining recognition globally," TripAdvisor India's country manager Nikhil Ganju said. Travellers' Choice Award-winning beaches were determined on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings on the TripAdvisor website gathered over a 12-month period. This year's awards honour 343 beaches, including the top 10 in the world, apart from similar lists for Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US.

Agonda beach (Goa) has been ranked at number four position in the Asia top 10 list, mostly for being wide, quiet, picturesque and a great spot for sunbathing and relaxing with relatively few tourists around, the survey said.

Goa's Palolem beach has been ranked eighth in the list for its beach hut accommodation.

Stretching between two magnificent head lands, Palolem beach is lined with towering coconut palms and is largely unspoiled. It is inhabited by local fishermen and foreigners.

Radhanagar Beach on the Havelock Island in the Andamans has been placed at number 10 in the list for its stretch of white sand with picture perfect waters lined with palm trees, it said.