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Beaches in Kerala

Beaches
The Beaches of Kerala are well-known to the world over for their enchanting beauty and entire 900-km length of the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms that definitely merit a visit in every tourist itinerary. Amongst the popular Beaches of Kerala are the Kovalam Beach and Varkala Beach . The other much-visited Beaches of Kerala are Thanagasseri Beach , Cheria Beach , Tanur Beach , Padinharekara Beach , Beypore Beach and Kappad Beach . There are several other Beaches of India that are worth visiting. Kappad is a small Beach near Calicut . The importance of Kappad is because of Vasco-da-Gama's arrived at this place. This is the historic Beach where Vasco - de - Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, A.D. with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded, pleasant Beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An attractive feature of the countryside is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea.

Kovalam Beach

The major attraction of Trivandrum, Kovalam Beach which is  25 kms South of the city, is a charming sea on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline is a small village of Kovalam commune with the nature .It is among one of the best beaches in the world. Here silvery white sands, mellow sunshine dark green palms swaying so gracefully all along the coast, Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.

The beaches of Kovalam have divided in three parts. The southern most beach and the most popular from the three, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque, but photography is prohibited here. The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times. It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.

Kovalam (16 Km.)is accessible by service like buses, taxis and cars. Local buses start for kovalam from the bus stand opposite the Sri Padmnabham Swamy Temple . There are frequent buses and the journey takes hardly half an hour.

Varkala Beach

A quite, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam beach in varkala is known for its minerals springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhan Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions here.

Cherai Beach

This is a lovely beach bordering Vypeen islands, ideal for swimming .Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction.

Bekal Beach

Bekal fort stands on a promontory between two long, classically beautiful palm fringed beaches. This is the largest, best preserved fort in Kerela. The fort has been under the control of various powers including the Vijaynagar Kingdom, Tipu Sultan and the British. The fort's commanding position offers breathtaking views across the bays to the north and south.

Muzhapilangad Beach

Black rocks protect this long,clean beach from the currents of the deep, making its shallow water swimmer's paradise. Perhaps this is Kerela's only drive in beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km.

Kappad Beach

Kappad beach came into historic books, when Vasco da Gama landed on its shores on 27th May 1498 with 170 men in three vessels 500 years ago, 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.