¤ Bekal Beach
Bekal Fort, 14 km away from Kasargod is the best reserved fort in Kerala. The sea shore fort along with its premise is designated into a major tourist resort. It offers panoramic view of palm-fringed beaches on both flanks.
¤ Kappad Beach
Kappad beach came into historic books 500 years ago, when Vasco da Gama landed on its shores, thus discovering a sea route to India. A pillar with inscription "Vasco Da Gama landed here, Kappakkadavau in the year 1498" stands on the beach. The beach here is very calm with a stretch of rocks projecting into the sea.
The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar coast. The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. The sea here is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.
Un-spoilt and un-crowded, the picturesque beach of Kappad offers a bewitching experience. Whatever you do, wherever you go, you're sure to have buckets of fun on Kappad beach.
¤ Beypore Beach
Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River in Kozhikode district, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. The Beypore Beach has a bridge built nearly 2 kms into the sea. It is actually made up of huge stones piled together, making a pathway into the sea.
The boat building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru, the traditional Arabian trading vessel. Khalasis, who are the traditional shipbuilders here, are amazing with their ship building knowledge and craft. The client, often an Arab, gives the specifications and his needs. No design is drawn, and the plan of the Uru is conceptualized wholly in the mind of the master craftsmen. And to think that nothing was planned on paper, but the whole designing and intricate measurements and calculations were done entirely in the mind is truly astounding.
A fledging wood industry thrived in Beypore ship building activity. Now, past its prime, the wood industry is just a shadow of its former self. Still huge logs can be found floating down the river and is reminiscent of its glorious past.
¤ Cherai Beach
It is a beautiful beach at Cherai in Vypeen Island. This calm beach is ideal for swimming; it has sea on the western side and backwaters on east, which give this tourist destination, a unique surrounding. Thick coconut grooves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront give it an added attraction. Dolphins can also be seen here occasionally.
¤ Fort Kochi Beach
An obscure fishing village, a leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is the best way to discover historic fort kochi. The first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful and colourful history. 12 kms from Ernakulam city, the town was shaped by the portuguese, the dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural interfaces are seen in the remains of the Indo-European architecture here.
The main attraction on this beach site is the historic fort which helps you to get familiar with its eventful colonial history and European regimes who ruled it. Cochin Carnival on the New Year eve is a colourful festival not to be missed at the beach site. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world.
Fort Kochi is also home to one of India's oldest churches - the St.Francis Church. The raw and unused stretch of beach is a loner's delight, where one could swim, play cricket or volley ball and even manage to practice yoga. If you are lucky, you also get sight of a dolphin.
¤ Alappuzha Beach
Alappuzha beach also known as Alleppey beach is one of the most popular spots in the district of Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is around 140 years old.
With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and several freshwater rivers criss-crossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.
Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers 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. Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a Backwater Tourist Centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry.
Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the Alappuzha beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby that is of immense interest for the visitors.
¤ Kollam Beach
Kollam beach offers a full range of lives and activities and some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Kollam (Quilon) is a charming old port city on the banks of the picturesque Ashtamudi Lake. It is also known as the center of cashew industry. Traces of a once prosperous trade with China are still seen in the form of Chinese fishing nets, huge Chinese water pots, blue and white porcelain and sampan-like boats.
Thirumullavaram, 5 kilometres from Kollam, is the best beach spot. The calm Arabian Sea stretches a long way and the tourists can bask in the cool breeze pervading the place. This expansive beach is an ideal spot for swimming and bathing as well.
Kollam is an inviting gateway to Kerala's backwaters. For an amazing backwater experience, take the regular ferry to Alleppey, a rigorous ride lasting more than 8 hours. Shorter cruises are also made in the larger comforts of the houseboats with idyllic villages such as Alumkadavu as your launch base.
¤ Varkala Beach
The beach is flanked by Thousands of Palm trees, fertile paddy fields. Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. In fact this is holy beach Known as Papanashini.
The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala Beach. High cliffs border the excellent beach.
Varkala is a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach of Kerala is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value
¤ Marari Beach
Splendid azure beach, quite distinctive, with frothy whitecaps and a translucent, pearl-like quality welcomes you in the sleepy fishing village of Marari. The sands that fringe this coastline for endless miles are themselves distinctive, deep and rich and fine, in a shade closer to ocher than gold. This natural brushwork leaves its mark on human life too. The people of the area have been fisherfolk for millennia and over this time, they've evolved a way of life that's as tranquil and colourful as their world.
Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages, tucked away behind a line of dense palms that rise like a sudden rampart of green out of the sands. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best. Explore the marvelous backwaters, where the tranquility, the stunning scenery and the feeling of being transported back in time, make it a superbly relaxing and inspiring experience. Until now Marari has been one of India's best kept secrets.
¤ Kovalam Beach
On the Malabar coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovalam. This sleepy town suddenly came on the tourist map when its fabulous beaches were discovered.
World famous Indian beach since 1930 where foreign and tourists throng. This post tropical beach bordered by blue waters and lush coconut gardens, once was a haunt of hippies from European Countries. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and its name grove of coconut trees and true its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees . Get into an ayurvedic massage center there are many such centers and lie down on the wooden lath for a herbal body toning massage. To make memorable go for a shopping in handicrafts, jewellary and cloth shops spread across the shore.
¤ Papanasam Beach Varkala
Papanasam is a holy beach which means 'Destroyer of the sins'. Mineral water springs come gushing out from the cliffs bordering the beach and are known for their medicinal qualities. The narrow road leading to the beach from Varkala is flanked by paddy fields and tall palm trees, on both sides. A Nature Cure Centre and a Jagannath Swamy (Vishnu) Temple are situated near the beach. Visitors can pay homage to Kerala's saint and reformer Sree Narayana Guru.
¤ Shanmugham Beach
This is a popular city beach very near the airport. An indoor recreation club, children's traffic training park and a star shaped restaurant are some of the facilities at the beach.
¤ Lighthouse Beach
This beach is beautifully set with palm trees dotting the headlands to the south, which is where the lighthouse is located, and north where a 20-40 m stretch of fine gold and black sand arches around the bay. Nothing much to do except perhaps go for a stroll or a swim, it's nice as beaches go, but there are better beaches than this.
¤ Rockholm Beach
Another stretch of beach along the same axis as Lighthouse Beach, Rockholm Beach is accessible either via a track leading down from the Rockholm Hotel (and Palmshore Hotel),or alternatively by walking southwards from Lighthouse Beach over the headland on which the lighthouse stands. Swimming is possible.
¤ Samudra Beach
This beach is just 4 kms north of Kovalam and has a number of resorts jostling with the local fishing village for space and to accommodate the regular stream of tourists. It is also called Samudra Beach because it is dominated by the KTDC's excellent Hotel Samudra. This beach is not private but, just a 15 min walk or Rs 50 ride northwards from Lighthouse Beach, it is virtually free of pestering beach sellers. The first little bay is edged by small rocky promontories and not very good for swimming.