Marine Drive Rafting Point
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand · riverfront
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Marine Drive is one of the best-known white-water put-in points on the Ganga above Rishikesh, taking its unofficial name from the way the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7, the old NH-58) hugs the river here in a long, sweeping curve reminiscent of a coastal marine drive. Sitting roughly 24 km upstream of Rishikesh, near the camping belt around Byasi, it launches one of the longer commercial rafting runs on the river — a stretch of about 24 km that finishes near NIM Beach or Shivpuri. In the graded ladder of Rishikesh rafting, this is the deliberate middle step: more sustained and committing than the gentle, family-friendly Shivpuri run, but a rung below the extreme upper Kaudiyala section, making it the classic choice for paddlers who want serious rapids without the most technical, high-consequence water.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Roadside dhabas along NH-7 near Byasi – simple, pure-vegetarian North Indian meals (dal, sabzi, paratha, rice, chai); quality varies, so pick a busy, clean one and confirm freshness.
- ✦Chotiwala, Rishikesh (Swarg Ashram / town) – long-running pure-vegetarian thali institution on the way back into town; verify the specific branch as several trade on the name.
- ✦Little Buddha Cafe, Laxman Jhula – popular pure-vegetarian riverside cafe with multi-cuisine veg fare; a relaxed post-raft stop in town.
- ✦Organic satvik cafes and pure-veg kitchens in the Tapovan / Muni-Ki-Reti lanes - wholesome vegetarian bowls, salads and thalis (ask for eggless bakes); Rishikesh is entirely vegetarian, confirm hours locally.
About
Marine Drive is one of the best-known white-water put-in points on the Ganga above Rishikesh, taking its unofficial name from the way the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7, the old NH-58) hugs the river here in a long, sweeping curve reminiscent of a coastal marine drive.
- Sitting roughly 24 km upstream of Rishikesh, near the camping belt around Byasi, it launches one of the longer commercial rafting runs on the river — a stretch of about 24 km that finishes near NIM Beach or Shivpuri.
- In the graded ladder of Rishikesh rafting, this is the deliberate middle step: more sustained and committing than the gentle, family-friendly Shivpuri run, but a rung below the extreme upper Kaudiyala section, making it the classic choice for paddlers who want serious rapids without the most technical, high-consequence water.
- The run rates around Grade III to III+ depending on the season and flow, threading a series of named rapids as the emerald-green river carves through forested Himalayan foothills.
- Between the drops, long, calm pools open out beneath steep, tree-clad slopes, and guides often pause for a swim or a cliff-side body-surf in the current.
- The scenery is a large part of the appeal — white-sand beaches, boulder gardens, and near-untouched hillsides that feel remote even though the highway is close by.
- This is where the Ganga is still a mountain river, cold and clear, before it broadens onto the plains at Haridwar.
- Rafting here operates in a defined season — broadly mid-September to late June, with the river closed during the monsoon (roughly July to mid-September) for safety, and closures also possible at very high flows.
- A licensed operator, a certified guide, a properly fitted life jacket (PFD) and helmet, and a safety briefing are non-negotiable; the Ganga is powerful and cold, and children below the operator's minimum age and weight are not permitted.
- TasteYatra covers the activity only — many riverside camps in this belt serve alcohol, which has no place on a river where clear-headed safety is everything; keep any trip dry, and treat the guide's instructions as absolute.
- Rishikesh is a holy, strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free town, and that carries into the food around the river.
- There is no proper restaurant at the put-in itself — expect simple roadside dhabas along the highway near Byasi serving pure-vegetarian North Indian fare (dal, sabzi, paratha, rice, chai), plus whatever meals your camp provides.
- For a fuller pure-veg spread, plan to eat back in Rishikesh town (Tapovan and Laxman Jhula), where the cafe scene is entirely meat-free.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Marine Drive, Rishikesh–Badrinath Highway (NH-7), near Byasi, upriver from Shivpuri, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, 249302
How to Reach: Marine Drive lies along the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7) near Byasi, about 24 km upriver from Rishikesh (roughly 45–60 minutes by road, longer in hill traffic). Most rafters are driven up from Tapovan or Laxman Jhula by their operator in a shared jeep or minibus with the raft on top, then float back downstream. A private taxi from Rishikesh costs a reported ₹700–1,200 one way; shared vehicles are cheaper. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh/Yog Nagari Rishikesh, and Dehradun (Jolly Grant) is the nearest airport, about 35 km from Rishikesh town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Marine Drive rafting run in Rishikesh?
The Marine Drive run is one of the longer commercial stretches on the Ganga, covering roughly 24 km from the put-in near Byasi down toward the Shivpuri / NIM Beach area. It typically takes a few hours on the water including safety breaks and swims, and it sits between the gentler Shivpuri run and the more extreme Kaudiyala section in difficulty.
What grade are the rapids at Marine Drive?
The Marine Drive stretch generally rates around Grade III to III+, depending on the season and water level. That makes it a solid intermediate run — more sustained and exciting than the beginner-friendly Shivpuri (Grade II–III) run, but below the most technical Grade IV water found on the upper Kaudiyala section.
When is rafting open at Marine Drive?
Rafting on this stretch runs in a defined season, reported broadly from mid-September to late June. The river is closed during the monsoon (roughly July to mid-September) for safety, and closures can also happen at very high flows. October–November and February–June are the most reliable windows; always confirm the current river status with a licensed operator before booking.
Is Marine Drive rafting safe, and is there an age limit?
With a licensed operator, a certified guide, a properly fitted life jacket and helmet, and a proper safety briefing, this is a well-run, popular intermediate stretch — but the Ganga is a powerful, cold mountain river and the guide's instructions must be followed exactly. Operators set minimum age and weight limits (young children are usually not permitted on Grade III+ water), and non-swimmers can raft but should tell their guide. Never raft under the influence of any intoxicant.
How do I get to the Marine Drive put-in from Rishikesh?
Marine Drive is about 24 km upriver from Rishikesh along the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7), near Byasi — roughly 45–60 minutes by road. Most people are driven up by their rafting operator from Tapovan or Laxman Jhula and then float back downstream. A private taxi runs a reported ₹700–1,200 one way; shared vehicles are cheaper.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Marine Drive?
Rishikesh is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free town, so everything nearby is meat-free. At the put-in itself there is no real restaurant — just simple pure-veg roadside dhabas along the highway near Byasi and meals provided by riverside camps. For a proper meal, eat back in Rishikesh town: Chotiwala for a classic thali and Little Buddha Cafe at Laxman Jhula are dependable pure-vegetarian stops.
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