Andhra Pradesh has a coastline stretching close to 974 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the longest coastlines among Indian states. Traditionally, the boastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are counted as nine: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore. Together, this stretch is commonly referred to as Coastal Andhra.
The Nine Traditional Coastal Districts
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Srikakulam sits at the northernmost tip of the coast, bordering Odisha.
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Vizianagaram lies just south of Srikakulam, with a shorter stretch of shoreline.
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Visakhapatnam is home to India's largest natural harbour and one of the busiest ports on the eastern coast.
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East Godavari and West Godavari cover the fertile delta region formed by the Godavari river as it meets the sea.
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Krishna district similarly sits at the delta of the Krishna river.
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Guntur lies further south, blending coastal and inland terrain.
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Prakasam and Nellore form the southern end of the coastal belt, bordering Tamil Nadu.
How the 2022 Reorganization Changed the Map
In April 2022, Andhra Pradesh carried out a major administrative reorganization, expanding its total district count from 13 to 26. This split several of the original coastal districts into smaller units for easier governance. Visakhapatnam, for instance, was divided to create Anakapalli as a separate district, while East Godavari gave rise to Kakinada and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. West Godavari was reorganised to include Eluru as its own district, and Krishna's territory now includes the separate NTR district around Vijayawada. Guntur was similarly split, with Bapatla emerging as a new coastal district along the southern stretch.
Why These Districts Matter Economically
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Coastal Andhra Pradesh is central to the state's fishing and aquaculture industries, supplying both domestic markets and seafood exports.
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Major ports such as Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam handle significant volumes of cargo, supporting trade and industrial growth along the coast.
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The Godavari and Krishna river deltas running through this belt support some of the state's most productive agricultural land, particularly for rice cultivation.
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Coastal tourism, including beaches near Visakhapatnam and religious sites along the shoreline, draws visitors from across the country.
A Coastline That Anchors the State
Whether referred to by the traditional nine-district structure or the expanded post-2022 list of coastal units, Coastal Andhra Pradesh remains the economic and demographic backbone of the state, home to its major ports, its most fertile farmland and a large share of its population.