Kerala Beaches

Alappuzha Beach

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed an important 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.

Facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park: Boating, a children's park with toy train and bicycles.Timings: Open from 1500 - 2000 hours. Entrance fee: Rs. 2 per person; Free entrance for children below 5 years. Boating charge: Rs. 10 for ten minutes. Video permit: Rs. 25; Camera permit: Rs. 5.

Getting there:-
Nearest railway station : Alappuzha, about 5 km from the beach.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.

Beypore Beach

Beypore is located about 10 kms south of Kozhikode town at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. 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 gaining prominence as a port and trade centre, Beypore slowly began to flourish as a centre for shipbuilding, since ships were 0in great demand merchants from Western Asia. The shipbuilding 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.

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.

Getting there:
Nearest Railway Station: about 10 kms from Kozhikode town.
Nearest Airport: Karipur International Airport, about 23 kms from Kozhikode town.

Dharmadam Beach

General Information
Best time to visit : October to May

Dharmadam beach is on the island with the same name. . Located 17 km from Kannur town, the beach has a five acre stretch of coconut palms and green bushes.Permission is required to enter this privately owned island.

How to reach there:-
The nearest airport to Kannur is at Karipur in Kozhikode, 95 km away. Kannur railway station is linked to major towns within the state as well as the country as are the roads.

Ezhimala Beach

General Information
Best time to visit : October to May

Nestled atop a cluster of hills at an altitude of 286m is situated Ezhimala, 55 kms from Kannur. Carved Stone Pillars, an ancient Burial chamber and an ancient Cave can be seen at the foot of the hills. The Hills are noted for rare medicinal herbs. Furthur uphill is an ancient Mosque.

How to reach there:-
Air : The nearest airport to Kannur is at Karipur in Kozhikode, 95 km away.
Rail: Kannur railway station is linked to major towns
Road: Kannur is linked road to major towns

Kappad Beach

For the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch of rock studded beach is Kappakkadavu. To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar coast. Here, 501 years ago, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history, the story of a long and tumultuous socio-political relationship between India and Europe. It was the spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the Phoenicans, the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to Kerala. Kappad has witnessed many such landings. Kozhikode was then the most important trade centre of the Malabar region and the Zamorins who ruled this mighty land were powerful and shrewd. Though the Portuguese were welcomed in Kozhikode they were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the Zamorins, which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam down south. Today only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great historic importance. On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old. To the tourist, however, this little seafaring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offer a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha river brings you to the beach.

Getting there:-
Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 16 km.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 23 km from Kozhikode town.

Kochi Beach

General Information
Best time to visit : Through out the Year

Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the World. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub.

How to reach there:-
Air : The nearest airport is cohin international airport.
Road: cochin is connected by road with several tourist centers in India. It is Bangalore 565 Kms, Chennai 470 Kms.
Rail: Cochin is connected by rail to most of the importand cities like Delhi, Mumbai & Chennai.

Kovalam Beach

Location :Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city,south Kerala.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all year destination.

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches.It has been a favourite haunt of tourists,especially Europeans,since the 1930s.A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages,special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc.The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages,Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres etc.Thiruvananthapuram,the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle.But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery,the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Ponmudi hill station etc.SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium,is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.To know more about the crafts on sale here see Treasure Chest from the Archives dated 14 January '99 to 15 July '99.

Getting there:-
Nearest railway station :Thiruvananthapuram central,about 16 km
Nearest airport :Thiruvananthapuram International Airport,about 10 km.

Mappila Beach

General Information
Climatic Conditions : Humid climate with an oppressive hot season
Best time to visit : October to May

Moppila bay, the famous fishing harbour is situated near the St.Angelo's Fort. The beach is a natural and now a modernised fishing harbour built with assistance under the Indo Norwegian pact.

How to reach there:-
Air: Nearest Airport Kozhikode (Calicut) (93 Km)
Rail: Kannur is An Important Railhead Of The Southern Railways
Road: An Excellent Road Transport System Connects Kannur To All The Major Towns Of South India.

Marari Beach

General Information
Best time to visit : October to May

Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages.Here life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches.The tourists can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best.

Beach activities:-The tourists can participate in various activities at Marari beach that includes cruises on the backwaters, visits to traditional coir-making units etc. They can indulge themsselves in lazing in the sun ,exciting water sports such as surfing or parasailing, or go swimming in the clear blue sea, or even playing a game of beach volleyball.

How to reach there:-
Air : Nearest international airports Thiruvananthapuram ( 150 km ); Kochi ( Nedumbassery - 85 km).
Rail : Well connected to major cities.
Road : An excellent road network links the distrit to major towns and cities in India.

Meenkunnu Beach

General Information
Uncrowded, the beach is a tourists' paradise, with golden sand and surf. It is situated at Azhikode, 12km from Kannur.

How to reach there:-
The nearest airport is at Karipur in Kozhikode, 95 km away. Kannur railway station is linked to major towns within the state as well as the country as are the roads.