Coastal regions in India are primarily designated by the areas that lie close to or near by seas and oceans. As can hence be understood, coastal regions in India comprise the states lying by the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. They may be clubbed into, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and parts of Gujarat. However, when concerned with coastal rivers in India, a number of these above-mentioned states do not exhibit sufficiency to be all-inclusive into river drainage. Most of them are deficient in any of the corresponding features of lack of seasonal rainfall, parched weather, scanty vegetation or, sandy tracts. In the long run, mostly the southern states count as holding rivers in coastal regions, wandering and convoluting its path towards the midst of enormity.

The coastal rivers, which can almost be regarded as streams, especially on the west coast, are short in length, episodic, ephemeral and have restricted catchment areas. To add further fuel to fire, most of them are devoid of perennial aspects. There exists several coastal rivers, which are comparatively small, in the process making them go almost unidentified. While only handful of such rivers drains into the sea near the delta of east cost, there are as many as six hundred such rivers on the west coast.

Some of the coastal rivers that can be enlisted under the regional banner include:

West Bengal Coastal Rivers - Subarnarekha River, Kharkai River, Kangsabati River.

Andhra Pradesh Coastal Rivers - Vamsadhara and Nagavalli Rivers are the two chief coastal rivers in Srikakulam district. Sharada River commences at Devarapally in Viishakhapatnam district and drains into the Bay of Bengal.

Tamil Nadu Coastal Rivers - Thamirabarani River, Palar River, Vaigai River, Vellar, Vasishta Nadi and Sweta Nadi.

Karnataka Coastal Rivers - Coastal rivers in Karnataka flow through three coastal districts and unite into the Arabian Sea. These include: Netravati River, Sharavathi River, Aghanashini River and rivers of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Maharashtra Coastal Rivers - Shastri River, Gad River, Vashishti River, Savitri River, Patalganga River, Ulhas River, Thane Creek and Vasai Creek acting as distributaries to Ulhas River, Mithi River or Mahim River, Oshiwara River, Dahisar River, Tansa River in Thane, Vaitarna River and Surya River.