Beaches

Kerala’s beautiful beaches is one of the major tourist attractions in India, both for Indian and foreign visitors. Kerala has a 900 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches, natural harbours, lagoons and sheltered coves of the world, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and pristine. These sandy beaches and sea shores are ideal for sunbathing while the shallow coastal waters are extremely safe for swimming and a refreshing sea bath. The cool breeze that blows on the beaches will be soothing for both the body and soul. The most popular beach in the state is Kovalam, one of India’s internationally acclaimed beaches. A cluster of three crescent shaped beaches, Kovalam is ideal for an adventurous water sports like wind surfing swimming and thrilling boat ride either in catamaran or a wooden craft. One of the most favoured beaches in Kerala, the Alappuzha beach is a long sandy beach. An old lighthouse nearby and the entertainment facilities at the Vijaya beach park add to the attractions of the beach. Nattika, the hidden treasure of Malabar Coast is a beautiful beach with panoramic views.

Alappuzha................................................01 Bekal........................................................02 Beypore....................................................03 Cherai.......................................................04 Chowra......................................................05 Fort Kochi................................................06 Kappad.....................................................07 Kappil.......................................................08 Kanwatheertha........................................09 Kizhunna Ezhara....................................10 Kovalam....................................................11 Kozhikode................................................12 Meenkunnu.............................................13 Muzhappilangad....................................14 Nattika......................................................15 Padinjarekara.........................................16 Payyambalam...........................................17 Payyoli......................................................18 Poovar........................................................19 Sankhumugham......................................20 Vadakara Sandbanks............................21 Vallikkunnu.............................................22 Varkala.....................................................23 Thirumullavaram....................................24

Alappuzha Beach: This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. A 137 years old pier which extends into the sea is the main attraction. An age - old Light House attracts large crowds.

Bekal Fort Beach: (1 km from Bekal Fort) This shallow beach offers a spectacular view of the fort and has ample facilities for relaxation.

Beypore: (10 km South of Kozhikode) Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre.

Cherai Beach: One of the loveliest of beaches in India. Sandwitched between backwaters and the Arabian Sea.

Chowra: (8 km south of Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram) Pristine and serene, this fishing hamlet is an unendng stretch of white, sandy beaches.

Fort Kochi Beach: (21 km from Eranakulam) Overlooking the Arabian Sea, with its legendary Chinese fishing nets dotting the foreground, Fort Kochi Beach offers a view of spectacular sunsets.

Kappad: (16 km from Kozhikode) This is the historic beach where Vasco-DaGama landed on 27th May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. A monument on the beach commemortes this historic event.

Kappil Beach: (6 km from Bekal Fort) Remote and secluded this beach is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. The Kodi cliff nearby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea.

Kanwatheertha Beach: (3 km from Manjeswaram) A large swimming pool like formation of the sea one the vast beach is the main attraction.

Kizhunna Ezhara Beach: (11 km from Kannur) This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala.

Kovalam: (16 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Idyllic and dreamy, this sea-shore village was very tranquil and deserted once, except the fact that it was a fishing center. It consists of two palm fringed cover, Light-house beach and Hawah beach, separated into north and south by rocky headlands.

Kozhikode Beach: This beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the old-world charm retained in the old light house and the two crumbling piers, each more than a hundred years old. Entertainment facilitites are added atractions here.

Meenkunnu Beach: Uncrowded, the beach is a tourists’ paradise, with golden sand and surf.

Muzhappilangad Beach: (15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasserry) Black rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer’s paradise. Perhaps this is Kerala’s only drivein beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km.

Nattika Beach: (30 km from Thrissur Town) Nattika Beach, the hidden treasure of Malabar cost, is the nearest beach of Coimbatore. This location is famous by the Malayalam movie Chemmeen.

Padinjarekara Beach: This beach offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and the Arabian Sea.

Payyambalam Beach: (2 km from Kannur) This long and clean beach of Kannur town is famous for its flat laterite cliffs that just into the sea.

Payyoli: This is yet another beautiful stretch of golden sands with shallow waters that border Velliyamkallu.

Poovar: (12km South of Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram) An isolated but spectacular beach, Poovar is situated close to the Neyyar River estuary.

Sankhumugham Beach: (8 km from the city) Sankhumugham beach adjacent to the airport is a lovely beach which attracts many people, particularly

during the evening time.This is a favourite of sunset watchers. The matsyakanyaka is a major attraction here. Vadakara Sandbanks: (50 km from Kozhikode) This beach where the Kottakal River merges into the sea is stunningly beautiful and is a favourite spot for locals and tourists.

Vallikkunnu Beach: A beach resort set in the middle of a coconut grove is the main attraction here. The Kadalundi bird sanctuary, abode of variety birds is just a short distance away. Varkala: (40 km from Thiruvananthapuram) Varkala is a religious, spiritual, pilgrim and tourist spot. It is also a sea side resort and spa. The Papanasam beach here is very famous. It is believed that any one who takes a bathe here will be relieved of all his sins.

Thirumullavaram Beach: (6 kms north of Kollam town) This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic spot with panaromic views.