Kothapatnam is a small coastal village about 15 km east of Ongole, with a long, mostly empty stretch of Bay of Bengal coastline. A Shivalayam and a Ramalayam stand near the beach, giving it a mild pilgrimage dimension alongside the swimming and walking.
It is quieter than the beaches further north around Machilipatnam or Visakhapatnam — there are no shacks, no umbrellas, and not much beyond fishing boats and palm trees. Local families come on weekends and during festival days, but otherwise you may have the sand largely to yourself. Currents can be strong; swim with care.