Kovalam beach is located at sixteen kilometres south of Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam beach is only an hour's drive from Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam beach is the most famous south Indian Beach due to its natural beauty and fine sand washed beach, which makes sunbath on these silver sands possible.
Kovalam beach is the most famous South Indian beach. Mainly there are two beaches in Kovalam along with many private beaches. One of the Kovalam beaches is Eve's beach, a semi-circular one, well known for its secluded location and its relatively good beach area. Another famous Kovalam beach is that of Lighthouse beach where a lighthouse situates, which belong to the British period. The Kovalam beach is spread over 4 km. Best time to visit Kovalam beach is from September to March.
History of Kovalam Beach
The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination in the 1930s. But the real fame as an ideal beach resort was won later for the Kovalam beach in the early Seventies with arrivals of the masses of 'Hippys'. It was a debut of the transformation of just a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in the world- the Kovalam beach. Now some foreign companies are bringing chartered tourists in a large number to Kovalam beach apart from the usual travellers, most of them are repeating travellers.
Season
The tourist arrival starts at the end of September which lasts till the end of March. The peak season is between mid-December till mid- January. In winter the average temperature is 30 - 32 degree Celsius whereas the summer temperature is 30- 35 degree Celsius. The monsoon starts at the beginning of June, which lasts till the beginning of August. The second turn of monsoon starts at the end of October for the next two weeks.
Beach Resorts on Kovalam beach
There are innumerable beach resorts at the Kovalam beach. Most of the private resorts on Kovalam beach are famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private resorts are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam beach.
Facilities at Kovalam Beach Resorts
The Kovalam beach resorts are well equipped. The best of facilities are offered to the tourists at the Kovalam beach resorts. You may savour multi-cuisines in Kovalam beach resorts. The Kovalam beach resorts also offer several Ayurvedic rejuvenation packages especially during the monsoons. Yoga and meditation programs in the Kovalam beach resorts also help the tourists feel refreshed. Just like the Kovalam beach hotels, the Kovalam beach resorts offer conferencing and banqueting facilities too. It is recreation that dominates the Kovalam beach resorts. While in the Kovalam beach resorts you may enjoy sunbathing, swimming, catamaran cruises et al. The volleyball court and the hammocks are the spots around the Kovalam beach resorts, popular with the tourists in Kovalam beach.
Private Beaches
Among innumerable beach holiday resorts Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Cocunut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam.
Kappad Beach - Kerala
This little sea faring town is a haven for the tourists. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar coast. The historic beach of Kappad is remembered as the one where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498 with 170 men in three vessels, thus discovering a sea route to India.
The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498". The sea here is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.
Prime Attractions of Kappad
Kappad Backwaters
Kappad offers the unique backwaters, which consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes & canals. Traveling on these backwaters is an experience one can never forget. Life on the backwaters is entirely different; water being the key to everything. There are no roads here, only waterways. On the banks one can see lush green rice fields spreading away into the distance and coconut groves with the occasional temple or church.
These canals or waterways, vary in dimension from being wide enough to be dubbed lakes, rich with marine bounty. To being nothing but snaking silvers of freshwater. And are mainly concentrated around the townships of Allepey, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kollam and Kochi.
The backwaters are best experienced while slowly moving down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. An experience you will remember for a long time.
Short Cruises at Kappad
A boat ride into the countryside offers a close look at rustic village life- skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats, large flocks of domesticated ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses on the banks. Women, neck-deep in water, with their waist-length hair heaped in a crown, catching fish with their feet, aimless cattle grazing in lush pastures, white lotuses floating here and there in small, shallow ponds.
Short cruise on backwaters are also available on the smaller boat If you don't want to stay overnight or longer in the houseboats. The duration of these cruises are depends on the routing & can be covered In 3 to 6 hrs of time period.
Pookot Lake
With its own dream-like serenity, this natural fresh water lake surrounded by meadows and trees on all sides is a haven for peace-loving travellers. It is located half way from Calicut half an hour ahead of Kalpetta.
Bekal Fort Beach - Kerala
Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala is renowned as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing circular fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).
Beautification: Beautification of the site includes installation of two sculptures of Theyyam created using laterite at the beach and a shed with walls adorning murals created by artisans from Nilambur. Apart from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where laterite boulders of various size has been utilised. Under the social forestry scheme planting trees has been done in the beach area.
Parking facilities: BRDC has developed about 7000 sq. m land for parking different types of vehicles.
Walk way: A beautiful walk way for the visiting tourists to explore the beauty of the fine coastal line and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bekal Fort.
Illuminating the beach: The beach has been illuminated during the evening hours so that tourists can more spend time at the beach even after the sun set.
Resting facilities: Multi shed and Eru madam would provide the tourist enough facility to take rest and enjoy the sea breeze. By using locally available materials seating arrangements has been provided for the tourists at the beach.
Toilets: Toilets have been provided for the use of tourists and eco-friendly bamboo waste bins has been provided in the entire beach site for keeping the site clean.
Childrens park: A park has been developed here for children below 14 years.
In order to maintain the developed site a nominal charge of rupee one from each visitor would be collected as entry fees and a similar nominal vehicle parking fees would be collected. BRDC also aims to develop in future another 11 acres of land at the beach for constructing water park, theme park etc.
BRDC was set up by the Government of Kerala to develop Bekal as a planned eco-friendly destination. BRDC has utilised 19 acres of land for the development of the Bekal Fort Beach at a cost of approximately Rs. 25 million including land acquisition charges.
Alappuzha Beach - Kerala
With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Tourist Attraction
Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland.A striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how,here cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to ten feet below the sea level.For this purpose extensive land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes built around it.A leisurely cruise along the canals here is a memorable experience.
Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Kerala’s network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life.
Getting there : QST & R Block Kayals are accessible by boat from Alappuzha ( 1.30 hrs by motor boat and 30 minutes by speedboat.)
Nearest railway station : Alappuzha, Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport about 85 km from Alappuzha, State Bus services also available from every part of india and Kerala
Location: Alappuzha beach, near Alappuzha town, south Kerala.
Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.
Beypore Beach - Kerala
Located about 10 kms south of Kozhikode town at the mouth of the Chaliyar River, is Beypore. Historically, it has a special place as being one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours, and was also an important trade and maritime centre during the days of the early Arab and Chinese travelers and later the Europeans. Soon after its prominence as a port and trade centre, Beypore slowly began to flourish as a centre for shipbuilding, which was in great demand by merchants from Western Asia. The boat-building yard at Beypore is famous for its traditional construction of the Uru or the Arabian trading vessel. This tradition of shipbuilding is nearly 1,500 years old, and the craftsmanship of the workers here is exceptional.
Traditionally, Arabs constitute the major chunk of buyers. They place orders with their specifications and needs. Unlike modern day shipbuilding involving the development of blue print and machinery to facilitate manufacturing of ships, here, at Beypore everything is conceived in the minds of the workers, who as a team execute the highly intricate woodwork to perfection. It is an amazing aspect if one is to observe the manner in which the Uru takes shape with minimum sophistication in production. The entire team observes certain work ethics, of which discipline is the foremost. A visit to this historic place is a must in order to have a close look at some of the deft fingers and alert minds, measuring and fixing different parts of the ship to perfection.
Nearby attractions in Beypore include the fishing harbour, hardly a kilometer from the shipbuilding yard and Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, which is about 7 kms from Beypore. The Kadalundi estuary is considered as a birdwatchers paradise, due to the variety of local as well as migratory bird life. Migratory birds flock here in large numbers during February-March.
The sanctuary is spread over a group of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. The place is locally known as Kadalundi Nagaram.
Varkala Beach - Kerala
The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense.The mineral water gushing from the hill is believed to have medicinal properties. The Varkala sands has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures exotic and alien. Varkala also houses a leading pilgrim centre in Kerala. The 800-year old Janardhana temple, dedicated to Ayyappan and Hanuman, atop the hill has brought a sobriquet for the region, Southern Kasi (Benares). Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the inner sanctum but can hang around the temple. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.
A center of Hindu pilgrimage
Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.
The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala Beach. High cliffs border the excellent beach. Varkala is a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach of Kerala is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.
A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini' for this shore. At the break of dawn following the new moon in the Malayalam month of 'Karkidakam', thousands offer 'Vavu Bali', a ritual believed to help the souls of ancestors rest in peace
Shankhumugham Beach - Kerala
Located 8 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city, the Shankhumugham Beach is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village.
An indoor recreation club, the 'Matsya Kanyaka', a gigantic 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here. The long stretch of clean sand is located near the airport. The water here, however, is not suitable for bathing.
Shankhumugham Beach is a popular city beach situated near to the airport. This beach provides good facilities like an indoor recreation club, children's traffic training park and a star shaped restaurant.
Unique Attractions of Shankhumugham Beach
House Boats: Have you ever gone houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one's really an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experience! Traditional Kerala houseboats, Kettuvallam, glide past, powered both by gondolier-like boatmen with poles and by sail. Kerala's houseboat cruising is not just restricted to the backwaters, you also get a chance to explore the wildlife and indulge in some water sports such as water skiing, water sailing and angling. The most popular backwater cruise is from Kollam to Shankhumugham.
Water Sports: Water sports are one of the most thrilling beach activities, and some of the Indian beaches have the best of aqua-sport equipment such as water-scooters and high-speed boats. In fact, Shankhumugham Beach is fast emerging as an Asian adventure sports destination with immense scope in various kinds of water sports.
Water loving speed freaks will not be able to resist getting into a speedboat. Sleek with a growling, throaty engine, these thoroughbred speedboats are compelling machines that make the sea your road.
Excursions Around the Beach
Kovlam Beach: Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvellous beach is a tourist's dream come true
Sree Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple
The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is an awe-inspiring structure that has a 100 feet high 'gopuram', built in Dravidian style. City's historical landmark, the structure of the main building is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidian styles of architecture.
The temple, known for the Mural paintings and stone carvings is one among the 108 temples dedicated to Vishnu in India. A magnificent array of gods, goddesses, nymphs, sprites and demons adorn the seven-storey 'gopuram' that forms the temple tower.