Nicknamed ‘God’s own country’ and rightly so, kaleidoscopic Kerala is a known for its hill stations, tea estates, backwaters and gorgeous beaches. With a staggering 580 km's of coastline, Kerala is a beach paradise. Some of the beaches in Kerala remain relatively deserted while there is plenty of action going on others. Secluded beaches, laid back beaches, white sand beaches or party beaches - there’s a beach for everybody in Kerala. Forget Goa, if you are looking for tranquility and just want to sit and relax in the sand, Beaches of Kerala are the place to be.
The best time to visit Kerala, weather wise, is from December to March. However, if you are a budget traveler and love rain, you can get some amazing discounts (often 50%) during the monsoons. Here is the list of top beaches in Kerala, in no particular order.
Photo Credit- Dhimant Patel
The only internationally renowned beach in India, Kovalam is regarded one of the best beaches in Kerala. The name ‘Kovalam’ refers to a grove of coconut trees and rightly so, the Kovalam town offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The legendary Hippie Trail brought Kovalam to the international recognition when the masses of hippies arrive at this stunning beach town in the 70s, turning this obscure fishing village into one of the most important tourist destination in India.
Situated 16 km from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam has a large number of beach resorts and can be reached without hassle. If you are on vacation, it is better to stay at Kovalam and visit the city instead.
How To Reach Kovalam Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 kms
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 10 kms
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Rated one of the top 5 beaches in the world in the prestigious National Geographic survey, Marari is a stunning beach situated 11 km from Alleppey town. Enveloped in the serenity that pervades the Marari beach, you can relax in the hammock under the groves of coconut trees reading your favorite book. The month of August witness the snake boat race that is a popular attraction at Marari. The beach also has a large number of homestays and resorts where tourists can stay.
Malari beach has won the esteemed and highly-competitive Skal International Eco-tourism award in 2007 reflecting the eco-friendly innovations that conserve nature and creates ecological balance in the community around.
How To Reach Marari Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam Railway Station, about 24 kms
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 37 kms
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Meenkunnu Beach is a secluded beach with golden sandy seashores fringed with rows of swaying coconut palms on the other end is a traveler’s paradise. The calm and secluded environment of the beach is its most adorable characteristic. The tourists love to lie lazing on the sunbathed beach enjoying the serene beauty of the gushing waves of the azure sea water. Away from the hustle and bustle of the town, this beach is a perfect location to relax and get connected to your inner-self.
Nearby attractions of the beach includes the Snake Park which is dedicated to preserving the endangered reptile species including both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. One of its kinds, this park also houses Lion-tailed Macaque apart from various species of snakes.
How To Reach Meenkunnu Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kannur Train Station, about 8 km
Nearest Airport: Kannur International Airport, about 25 kms
Photo Credit- Thejas Panarkandy
Of all the beaches in the southern Kerala, Varkala is the only beach that has cliffs running parallel to the entire length of the beach adjacent to the Arabian Sea. Varkala is considered one of the top 10 seasonal beaches in the world. In contrast to the quiet and calm Marari beach, Varkala is flocked with tourists. One can enjoy water sports like surfing, parasailing, scuba diving and sailing, apart from usual swimming and sunbathing. Varkala offers an astounding view of the sunset.
The Varkala beach also fulfils the desire of having delicious seafood through many charming restaurants and shacks nearby. This beach has high class resorts and homestays that offer excellent accommodation facilities to its tourists.
How To Reach Varkala Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 37 kms
Nearest Airport: Kollam Railway Station, about 20 kms
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Situated at the combination of sea and the backwaters and bordered by luscious green coconut palms, Cherai beach is covered with soft sand and paddy field and offers the less busy and cleaner alternative attracting tourists from around and other states as well. Tourists here enjoy the peaceful environment of the nature along with delicious mouthwatering sea food, coconut water and wine. If you are lucky enough, you can get a chance to watch dolphins playing in the sea.
In addition to that, one can visit The Bolghatty Palace in Bolghatty Island built in 1744 by the Dutch and the Pallipuram Fort built in 1503 by the Europeans and is one of the oldest existing monuments in India.
How To Reach Cherai Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Aluva, about 20 kms
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, about 30 kms
Photo Credit- Amitra Kar
Affectionately referred to as ‘Venice of the East’, Alappuzha Beach is a very popular tourist destination in Kerala and is known for its secluded location that provides relax and serene atmosphere to the tourists. Alleppey Beach boats of lagoons, freshwater rivers and vast lakes that add to the pristine beauty of this beach. On a visit to this beach, one must experience the stay at the houseboats in backwater of the beach that consists of furnished bedrooms, cozy living rooms providing all comforts. Alappuzha Beach Festival is a famous event that takes place every year at Alleppey.
Alappuzha Beach also offers its tourists various water sports including swimming, beach volleyball, surfing and parasailing. Boat races are also a major attraction of this place. There is also an old light house that attracts the visitors.
How To Reach Alappuzha Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha, about 1 km
Nearest Airport: Cochin International, about 85 kms
Photo Credit- Priyadarshini Rajendran
Home to the gorgeous five-star hotel Taj Vivanta, Bekal Beach is famous for its old fort, apparently the largest and best-preserved fort in Kerala., Located in the far north Kerala; Bekal Beach is an unspoiled beauty with groves of coconut trees covering the shoreline. The panoramic view of the sunset from Bekal beach is unparallel. The beach gets illuminated during the evening hours so that tourists can spend more time at the beach even after the sun sets.
Apart from the beach, the small town of Bekal also offers the lip-smacking seafood that will surely leave you craving for more. Shaped like a giant keyhole, the historic Bekal Fort offers a superb view of the Arabian Sea from its tall observation towers, where cannons were kept centuries ago, as a defense measure.
How To Reach Bekal Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kasargod, about 12 kms
Nearest Airport: Mangalore Airport, about 50 kms
Photo Credit- Rafeeque K K
Kappad beach holds the prestige of being the place where Vasco Da Gama, the first European landed to India on 20 May 1498, to create a history in the socio-political relationship between India and Europe. The golden sand of the beach lined by swaying coconut palm trees at one end and crystal clear water of the Arabian Sea on the other end makes this beach one of the most pleasant tourist destinations of Kerala.
In addition to that, an ancient temple believed to be at least 800 years old is another famous tourist spot. The Ayurveda Health Spa located here offers the famous Ayurveda spa that would drift you to the sublime bliss.
How To Reach Kappad Beach:
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station, about 17 kms
Nearest Airport: Calicut International, about 37 kms
Photo Credit- Groundhopping Merseburg
Situated at the Malabar Coast, Kozhikode beach is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers; it is also a good place for trying out seafood delicacies like kallumekaya (mussels), available at the numerous stalls lining the promenade. If you are lucky enough, at dawn you can witness the playful dolphins at Dolphin’s Point. The old world charm at Kozhikode Beach is retained by the towering lighthouse and two crumbling piers, each hundred years old.
Apart from the serene beach, there is entertainment facilities such as Lions Park for children and marine water aquarium are added attractions. The aquarium is open on all days from 0800 to 2000 hrs.
How To Reach Kozhikode Beach
Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode Railway Station, about 1 km
Nearest Airport: Calicut International, about 21 kms
Photo Credit- Gopal Vijayaraghavan
With a vast stretch of white sand along with coconut palms lining the beach and the serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Shangumugham beach is an ideal location for tourists to relax and rejuvenate. Also known as the Sunset beach due to the stunning sunset views, Shangumugham beach offers ample activities like beach volleyball, skating, building sand castles.
During the festive day of Arattu, a procession of images of Lord Narasimha, Lord Padmanabhaswamy and Lord Krishna is taken to the Laccadive Sea at Shanghumugham Beach. The Vettucadu Church, a famous Christian church marked for its architectural beauty also lies near the beach.
How To Reach Shangumugham Beach
Nearest Railway Station: Trivandrum Train Station, about 4 kms
Nearest Airport Station: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 1 km
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