Kerala beaches get to relax on the golden sands of the beaches of Kerala, or stretch out in the shade of the rows of palm trees along the beaches, drinking the refreshing juice of tender coconuts and maybe undergoing an ayurvedic massage.
Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest,internationally known, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves.The beaches and shorelines of Kerala, washed by the pleasant tropical sun, are peaceful and pristine as ever and contribute to the attraction of domestic and international tourists.
Most popular Kerala beaches
Kovalam beach:
Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital of Kerala- Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented beach in Kovalam.
Kovalam is an ideal place for a sunbath during the winter. Tourists to Kovalam can also experience the typical Kerala massage from the parlours available a few kilometers away along the Kovalam beaches.
Varkala beach:
A seaside destination on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Varkala is the favorite destination of tourists from various parts of India and abroad. This beach offers a magnificent view of the sun rise and sun set. The local town of Varkala is located around the train station, 5 Km from the beaches. The tourist area is along the two cliffs, North and South, in between them is the main beach, Papanasham.
Being the eternal resting place of Sri Narayana Guru, a former social reformer, Varkala is also famous as the Hindu Pilgrimage Center, which is situated in Trivandrum district and 40 kms from the capital city.
The tourist season starts in December and lasts till the end of March. From December the 15th to January the 15th is the top season.
Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as the beach is spectacular. At one end are the dense palm groves that are so characteristic of Kerala's landscape. It has a long sandy beach. For the entertainment of visitors there is a Vijaya Beach Park and an old lighthouse nearby.
Marari beach:
Right in the heart of the "spice coast" just an hour from Cochin and even less to Alleppey(also Known as Alpuzzha) is the most fabulous stretch of soft sandy beach fringed with palm, an idyllic retreat for those who want to "get away from it all".
Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", a local fishing villages, tucked away behind palm trees. Marari offers endless miles of sandy beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala hospitality at its best.
Cherai beach:
“ The Prnicess of the Queen of the Arabian sea” Cherai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala bordering the northern end of Vypeen Island, is located about 26 km from Ernakulam city, Kochi.
The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries.
A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby makes this place even more beautiful. The main attraction of Cherai is the 'Poyil' a large inland lake forming a part of the calm serene backwaters separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar. A boat ride along the palm fringed backwaters and paddy fields is a breathtaking experience you will never forget.