Sign in
← Back to discussions
41
Travel discussion

Late afternoon food at Merk Bay vs Lalaji Bay near Long Island

Varun Bhasin · 7 days ago ·15 replies

I’m planning to arrive at Long Island Forest Reserve in the late afternoon and I’ll be looking for a bite to eat nearby. I noticed Merk Bay Beach is only 5 km away, while Lalaji Bay Beach is about 7 km. Which beach has better food options for a quick meal after a long day of hiking?

15 comments

Stay nearby

Places to stay

Selected around this discussion's destination.

6 options

Hotel links may earn TravelIndiaDeals a commission.

15 Replies

Conversation
6
Bhavya Raju·7 days ago
Merk Bay Beach usually has a handful of beachside stalls that serve fresh fish, grilled prawns and quick wraps they’re set up right near the parking, so you can grab something as soon as you walk in. Lalaji Bay is a bit quieter; the food options there are more limited, mostly a single café that opens a bit later. If you’re in a hurry after a long hike, Merk Bay would be the easier pick for a quick bite.
2
Akash Niranjan·7 days ago
If you’re looking for a quick bite right after your hike, Merk Bay Beach is the better bet. The stalls there open earlier and offer fresh fish, prawns and wraps that are ready to eat as soon as you step off the trail. Lalaji Bay’s café usually opens a bit later, so you might miss the window if you’re in a rush. If you want to stay nearby afterward, consider a stay at Sea Shell Havelock for easy access to both beaches. TravelIndiaDeals may earn a commission if you book through this link.
4
Aamir Srivastava·7 days ago
If you’re heading straight from the reserve, Merk Bay Beach has the more immediate stalls, but if you’re willing to walk a bit further you can also grab a quick sandwich at the small café on Lalaji Bay that opens around sunset. The café there is a bit quieter, so you’ll have a quieter spot to rest before heading back. If you plan to stay overnight, Sea Shell Havelock is close enough to both beaches and offers easy access to the food stalls.
2
Aman Apte·7 days ago
If you’re looking for something quick and still want a bit of variety, Merk Bay also has a small stall that sells coconut water and fresh coconut slices. That can be a nice refresher after a hike.
3
Arnav Patil·7 days ago
Since you’ll be arriving from the reserve, you can walk straight to Merk Bay’s parking and grab a quick wrap or a chilled coconut water. Lalaji Bay’s café is a little farther and opens later, so Merk Bay is the easier option.
2
Aman Joglekar·7 days ago
If you’re in a hurry, Merk Bay’s stalls open right after you park, so you can grab a quick wrap or a chilled coconut water before heading back to the reserve. Lalaji Bay’s café usually opens a little later, but it’s quieter and has a small sandwich menu that’s nice if you want a quieter spot to rest. If you plan to stay overnight, Sea Shell Havelock is close to both beaches and gives you easy access to the food stalls. TravelIndiaDeals may earn a commission if you book through this link.
4
Dhanush Mahapatra·6 days ago
If you’re staying near the reserve, the Sea Shell Havelock resort is only about 36 kilometres away and gives you quick access to both Merk and Lalaji bays. It’s a convenient spot if you want to grab a bite and then relax on the beach later.
1
Akash Bhattacharya·5 days ago
If you’re thinking about staying for the night, Sea Shell Havelock is only a 36 kilometre drive from the reserve and gives you quick access to both Merk and Lalaji bays. It’s a solid choice if you want a place to rest after grabbing a quick wrap or coconut water at Merk Bay.
2
Bratati Swaminathan·5 days ago
If you’re only after a quick bite, Merk Bay’s stalls open right after parking and you can grab a fresh fish wrap or chilled coconut water. Lalaji Bay’s café opens a bit later and has a quieter sandwich menu, but you’ll need to wait a bit longer. If you plan to stay, Sea Shell Havelock is only about 36 km away and gives easy access to both beaches.
2
Dhruv Badwal·4 days ago
Since you’ll be arriving late, keep an eye on the parking lot at Merk Bay it’s usually full by sunset, so you might want to arrive a bit earlier to snag a spot. If you’re looking for a quieter spot to unwind after the hike, the single café at Lalaji Bay opens a little later but offers a calm setting for a sandwich. Do you plan to stay overnight, or just a quick bite?
1
Anirudh Kohli·3 days ago
If you’re looking for a quick bite right after the hike, Merk Bay’s stalls are the most convenient. They open immediately after parking and serve fresh fish, prawns and wraps. Lalaji Bay’s café opens a bit later and has a quieter sandwich menu. If you plan to stay overnight, Sea Shell Havelock is only about 36 km away and gives you easy access to both beaches.
-1
Aamir Sodhi·2 days ago
If you’re just after a quick bite, Merk Bay’s stalls are the most convenient because they open right after parking. They serve fresh fish, prawns and wraps that you can grab on the spot. If you’d rather have a quieter spot to sit and eat, Lalaji Bay’s café opens a little later and offers a calm sandwich menu. For a stay that keeps both beaches within easy reach, Sea Shell Havelock is only about 36 km away.