KOVALAM
Kovalam is a pristine, internationally known beach near Trivandrum, Kerala’s capital city. Originally a fishing village, the Queen of Travancore transformed it into a tourist spot in the 1930s. Today, it is a main tourist destination in Kerala. You will find many shops, restaurants, and resorts here.
Three main beaches make up the 1 km coastline: Hawa beach, Lighthouse beach, and Samudra beach. Lighthouse beach attracts the most visitors. Here, you can enjoy surfing, sunbathing, and ayurvedic massages. Another key attraction is the Vizhinjam lighthouse. This 30-meter-tall structure gives you a panoramic view of Kovalam village. Early in the morning, you can even join local fishermen in their daily activities.
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Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport – 12 km
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Nearest Railway station: Trivandrum Railway Station – 14 km
VARKALA
Varkala is one of Kerala’s best beaches and the perfect place to relax. It’s the only beach in Kerala flanked by rocky cliffs. Find a good cafe on top of the cliff, get a drink, and enjoy one of the best sunsets of your trip. The area also has some excellent ayurvedic and yoga centers to help you relax your mind and body. For a thrill, you can try surfing or even jump straight off the cliff if the weather permits.
Explore Around Varkala
You will find several good beaches and historic places to visit nearby. Just off the Varkala cliff is Papanasam beach, which is considered a religious site. Local myths say a swim here can wash away your sins. South of the cliff is the Black beach, named for its glistening black soil. This spot is less crowded and much cleaner.
For a scenic drive, take a ride through the beautiful Edava Kappil road. When you reach the bridge, you will be between the backwaters and the beach. En route to Kappil is another quiet spot, Odayam beach, where you will see vibrant boats along the shore. Beyond the beaches, you can explore a couple of historical sites. The Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse are about 12 km from the cliff. The East India Company built the fort as England’s entry point from the Malabar coast.
Nearest Airport: Trivandrum International Airport – 41 km
Nearest Railway station: Varkala – 2 km
MARARI OR MARARIKULAM
Marari is one of the cleanest white-sand beaches in the state. Lined with coconut trees, it’s a beautiful vision of paradise. Marari isn’t a typical tourist beach with lots of facilities. Instead, it is a calm place to relax and unwind. Visitors come here to enjoy the slow pace of life and soak up the serenity.
Consider this beach a one-day stop on your journey from Fort Kochi to the Alappuzha backwaters. Since Marari is a fisherman’s village, you can watch and engage in their daily activities. The beach is not heavily commercialized, so you won’t find as many shacks or cafes as in Varkala. For the best experience, visit Marari during the weekdays when it is less crowded with local tourists.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport – 73 km
Nearest Railway station: Mararikulam – 3 km
KOZHIKODE BEACH
The town of Kozhikode, or Calicut, is famous for its food. Kozhikode beach is the best place to explore Kerala’s local street food. This beach is completely different from the others on this list. First, it is located in the heart of the city. Second, you will find many locals here, enjoying time with their families from evening until midnight. Even amidst the hustle, you can still immerse yourself in a beautiful sunset. This is also a great place to socialize with locals, play games like football and cricket, or fly kites.
Nearest Airport: Kozhikode International Airport – 31 km
Nearest Railway station: Kozhikode Railway station – 3 km
MUZHAPPILANGAD BEACH
Asia’s longest drive-in beach is in Kannur, northern Kerala. The beach spans a total length of 5.5 km. If you plan to travel around Kerala by car, bike, or even tuktuk, make sure you add this unique beach to your list. Many black rocks on the beach stop the high tide from reaching the banks. This makes it an amazing place to swim. Another popular attraction is a small offshore island known as Kakkathuruthu, or the island of crows. The water is shallow during low tide, which allows you to walk to the island.
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Nearest Airport: Kannur International Airport – 27 km
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Nearest Railway station: Kannur Railway station – 17 km
BEKAL BEACH
Bekal beach lies 16 km south of the Kasargod district. In addition to its serene golden sand, a magnificent fort adds to its picturesque beauty. Bekal Fort is the state’s largest fortress, constructed in 1650. The fort sits 130 feet above sea level and offers a beautiful view of the beach. To promote tourism, locals have introduced new activities. One of these is a charming candlelight dinner on the banks of Bekal beach. This is an exquisite experience you should not miss when you visit.
Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport – 75 km
Nearest Railway station: Bekal Railway Station – 3 km
BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE BEACHES IN KERALA
You will notice something important about Northern Kerala’s beaches. They are less touristy than those in the southern and central parts of the state. Most of the people you see will be locals from the region.
Renting your own tuktuk is the best way to fully experience this local lifestyle. You can drive an auto-rickshaw from Fort Kochi or elsewhere and explore God’s Own Country yourself. The only requirement is an International Driver’s Permit with a class B (car/motor-vehicle) endorsement. Head over to tuktukrental.com, make a booking, and we will take care of the rest.
