Kerala beaches have international recognition from very ancient time as it was the gate way to Kerala for all traders and merchants and Navigators from Europe and Middle East for their trade. Vasco Da Gama the European who discovered a sea route to India landed at the beach side of Kappad near Calicut. Kerala had India’s oldest commercial port at Muziris near Kodungallur in Eranakulum district. The total length of Kerala’s coast line is around 55o kilometres so that it has a huge potential in beach tourism. Kovalam in Trivandrum district is the most popular and international beach destination Kerala. For the European tourists Kovalam is their home town with its pleasant hospitality and atmosphere. Kerala beaches are clean and palm fringed everywhere and safe to take bath, swim, surf, and for sunbath.
Kovalam is only 15 kilometres away from Kerala’s capital city Trivandrum and the beach paradise of South India. Kovalam attracts both domestic as well as International clients across the globe since 1970’s. It has a wide range international hotels and resorts with excellent sea view and facilities for surfing and other activities. Kovalam has excellent crispy climate during the season time and in monsoon the hotel rates become very nominal in all the major hotels.
Cherai is the beach destination of Cochin and the speciality is the adjoining back water stretches and the cool shade of coconut palms. It’s less than 1hour travel from cochin international airport / Railway station by road. Cherai offers a good picnic mood and having sufficient infrastructure for rest and relaxation of the visitors.
Varkala beach also located in Trivandrum district almost equal to the status of Kovalam beach. It has long cliff behind the beach which offers an amazing view to the sea and almost all good resorts are located on it. Varkala is famous for the Ashrama of Sri Narayana Guru, the great social reformer & saint who borned there. Varkala has some beautiful temples and tourist shacks on the beach to enjoy it. Veli, shankumukam etc are the other famous beaches in Trivandrum disrict.
Alleppey beach is quite a popular tourist spot in Kerala, known to provide relaxation and picnics.. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old. Blessed with nature's green beauties such as lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers etc, the presence of backwaters and lagoons are giving more charming face to this beach.
Kappad is is near by the Calicut and it has a remarkable role in world history as Vasco De Gama the European Merchant & discoverer of Indo-Europe Sea route landed here in 1948. Kappad also a silent beach destination with long stretch of sand beach. There is a big rock on the shore that gives the far view of Arabian Sea. Good beach resorts are offering sea accommodation over there. Calicut beach is accessible with only a 10 minutes drive from the city, its very popular and the evening relaxation place for the families. Large walking path and lofted platform offers the travellers to get relaxed and it’s often rush till midnight.
Nattika and Snehatheeram beaches are the upcoming tourist spot in central Kerala belong to Trichur district. Both are very long and having the attention of regular tourists in the evening forsunset and to enjoy the serene atmosphere. Nattika beach fest is conducted every year here with local art forms and seafood fest. New beach resorts have opened for the tourists with international standards.
These three beaches are the hope of North Malabar’s tourism growth in the coming years. Bekal is a hidden and its getting ready to fly in to the international tourist map in the coming years. Bekal beach and Pallikkara beaches are located in the south and north side o the gigantic Bekal Fort in Kasaragod district. Pallaikara beach is the longest beach in Kerala and it has a very large park with the long view of Bekal fort. BRDC has its beach tents and resorts there to provide beach accommodation to the travellers. Many good accommodation centres and hotels are now available in the premises. Kappad is only 10 kilometres from Bekal and it’s the favourite backpacker destination in Kasaragod district. Asia’s largest Spa Resort has launched there by Lalit hotels recently.
Kannur district has the maximum length of coastline in Kerala so that it has some of the best beaches are thereto attracts the travellers. Dharmadam is an island in the southern end of Muzhipppilangad bead beach. Its lush green and in certain season travellers can enter the island by walking in the shallow water. Muzhipppilangad is the best drive in beach in Asia; you can splash out the water by driving your vehicle in the beach and enjoy the thrill.
Payyambalam is the most visited beach destination in Kannur district and evening its almost rush with the travellers and native people for enjoying the sunset and the wind from Arabian Sea. There is children’s park and the speciality is that there is a burial ground of Kerala’s leading political leaders. Ezhimala beach is a hidden spot and it has an unrevealed beuty with the combination of Ezhimala Hills, Valiyaparamba backwaters & Arabian Sea.
