
The beaches of Kerala are famous for their beauty. For virtually its entire coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. Each year, greater numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm-fringed beaches. The unique beaches of Kerala beccon you to embrace with a mild, cool breeze...
Kovalam beach. Internationally renowned, this seaside destination comprises three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches, of which the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers a variety of activities including snorkelling, catamaran rides, sunset watching, cycling on the beach etc. (16 km from Thiruvananthapuram)
Shankhumugham beach. Adjacent to the airport, this beach has an indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid), a restaurant shaped like a starfish and a traffic training park for children. Nearby are two popular picnic spots Akkulam and Veli tourist village. (8 km from Thiruvananthapuram)
Chowara beach. Pristine and serene, this fishing hamlet is an unending stretch of white, sandy beaches. (8 km south of Kovalam)
Poovar beach. An isolated but spectacular beach, Poovar is situated close to the Neyyar River estuary. The erstwhile trading port is now a tourist destination. Besides Sunsets another highlight here is the waterfront stalls serving fresh catch prepared according to taste. (12 km south of Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram)
Cherai beach. This lovely beach bordering Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally spotted here. A typical Kerala village nearby, with paddy fields and coconut groves is an added attraction. (23 km from Ernakulam)
Natika beach. Fringed by coconut palms, this picturesque beach is a hot spot for picnickers. (24 km from Thrissur)
Padinjarekkara beach. Famous for bird watching, the beach also offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and the Arabian Sea. (5 km from Chamravattom, Ponnani in Malappuram)
Varkala Papanasham beach. A dip in the sea at Papanasham, meaning redemption from sins, is believed to be holy. Fringed by red laterite cliffs, near to the beach are the cool mineral springs, serene backwaters, the 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple, a century old tunnel and a Nature Cure Centre. (45 km from Thiruvananthapuram)
Thirumullavaram beach. This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre. (6 km north of Kollam)
Alappuzha beach. A 137-year-old pier which extends into the sea and an old lighthouse add to the attractions of the beach. (3.5 km from the city)
Fort Kochi beach. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, with its legendary Chinese fishing nets dotting the foreground, Fort Kochi Beach offers a spectacular view. (21 km from Ernakulam)
Kappad beach. This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. (16 km from Kozhikode)
Kozhikode beach. This beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the old-world charm retained by the ancient lighthouse and the two crumbling piers, each more than a hundred years old, that run into the sea. (0.5 km from the city)
Beypore beach. One of the prominent ports and a maritime trading centre of ancient Kerala, Beypore is located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. The boat building yard here, famous for the construction of the Uru (Arabian trading vessel), boasts a tradition of almost 1500 years. (10 km south of Kozhikode)
Payyoli beach. The shallow waters of this beautiful beach is ideal for swimming. During November-December, hordes of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle come in to lay eggs. (40 km north of Kozhikode)
Vadakara Sandbanks beach. This beach where the Kottakal River merges into the sea is stunningly beautiful and is a favourite spot for locals and tourists. The nearby Birla Bungalow offers a delightful view of the Sandbanks Beach. (50 km from Kozhikode)
Payyambalam beach. Famous for its flat laterite cliffs that jut out into the sea, well-laid gardens and the massive landscaped sculpture of Mother and Child make this beach extremely captivating. The adjacent Baby Beach accessed through the Burnassery Cantonment is delightfully quiet. (2 km from Kannur)
Kizhunna beach. This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala. (11 km from Kannur)
Meenkunnu beach. Uncrowded, the beach is a tourist's paradise, with golden sand and 1 surf. (12 km from Kannur)
Muzhappilangad beach. A swimmer's paradise, this is Kerala's only drive-in beach. Adventure sports like paragliding, parasailing, micro-lite flights and a variety of watersport options are possible here. (15 km from Kannur).
Bekal Fort beach. Also known as Pallikere Beach, this scenic seaside offers a spectacular view of the historic fort and has ample facilities for recreation and relaxation. (1 km from Bekal Fort in Kasaragod).
Kappil beach. A winding lane meanders through palm-fringed landscape to this totally unpolluted, secluded beach. The Kodi Cliff closeby offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. Kanwartheertha: (3 km from Manjeswaram in Kasaragod). A large swimming pool-like formation of the sea on the vast beach is the main attraction here. (2 km from Bekal Fort in Kasaragod).