Kerala Beaches
Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline and is known to have some of the best beaches in the world. The beaches of Kerala are beautiful, clean and dotted by the palms and coconut trees. Come to the beaches of Kerala to have vacation you will cherish all through your life. Relax on the golden beaches, indulge in beach activities, sip refreshing and fresh coconut water and try the ayurvedic massages by our professional masseurs.
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| © 2006 Jonathanawhite |
Kovalam
Kovalam is a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala, a state in south India. It is located around 16 km outside Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) City in the Thiruvananthapuram district. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The Proposed International Trans shipment Terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kovalam was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and Israel. Kovalam is finding a new significance in the light of several Ayurvedic salons, and recuperation and regeneration resorts which provide a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.
There are three beaches at Kovalam, separated by outcrops jutting out to the sea. The larger one is called Light House Beach for its 30 odd metre high light house. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. Topfree bathing and parading is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. Visitors frequent these two beaches. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. The normal tourist season is from November to March.
Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha Beach is a beach in the Allepey district of Kerala, India and is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in India.
The beach has a small park nearby. An old lighthouse stands near the beach which is also a curiosity for tourists.
Alappuzha Beach is 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.
Varkala Beach
Varkala spa, 42 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. 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.
The Varkala Beach is also called Papanasam Beach because it is believed that bathing here will wash away all of one's sins.
Sankhumugham Beach
Shanghumugham is a popular city beach near Thiruvananathapuram airport. On holidays, the city comes out to the beach for a weekly refreshing. Long and wide sandy beach can accommodate tens of thousands. An indoor recreation club, children's park and a star shaped restaurant are some of the facilities at the beach.
A large, enticing mermaid sculpture greets visitors. During temple festivals, Shanghumugham beach witnesses ritual washing of temple idols. That the beach is a fishermen village ensures an interesting sight of fishermen having their daily catch
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad is 14kms from Mahe. A long clean beach, its enchanting ambience invites you to swim. sunbathe or just lounge around. Black rocks protect Muzhappilangad from the currents from the deep, making its shallow water a swimmers paradise. Muzhappilangad is Kerala's only drive in beach which is about 5kms long. From Muzhappilangad you can see the Dharmadam island (Pacha Thuruth) just across the Arayakkandy river, a remarkable conjunction of beach and island.
Its around 15kms. South of Kannur and only 8 kms. From Thangassery. A long clean beach its enchanting ambience invites you to swim sunbathe or just lounge around. Its Kerala's only drive-in beach, one could drive the entire length-4 kms.
Kappad Beach
Kappad, or Kappakadavu locally, is famous as the beach near Calicut, India, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on May 27, 1498. A small stone monument there commemorates the landing with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498." His expedition gave the Europeans a sea route to reach the wealth of the Malabar coast, and resulted in European domination of India for about 450 years. At that time Malabar was ruled by the Zamorins (Samoothiris, spoken locally) who gave a warm welcome to Gama. Malabar was abundant in spices, and produced a calico textile. Currently it is one of the most important tourist places in Kerala, with a wide and beautiful beach.
Marari Beach
Marari Beach is a beach in Alleppey District of Kerala, India. Barely 11 Kilometers from Alappuzha (Alleppey) town, this sleepy little village is an idyllic location for a vacation. The only resort here is the 'Marari Beach Resort' belonging to CGH Earth chain of resorts. The beach is clean and safe for swimming.
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Kovalam along with the crescent-shaped beaches bordered by coconut and palm trees makes for a splendid setting for a sun and sea bathing. The Lighthouse Beach is the southern most beaches and is popular among the tourists who spend most of their time at this beach.