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Kerala “Gods own Country” is known for its beautiful beaches and extensive backwaters, and is one of the major tourist attractions in India, both for Indians and foreigners. The famous and most alluring Kerala beaches are Kovalam beach, Poovar Beach, Varkala Beach, Marari Beach, and Kappad Beach etc.  Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves.  All these are as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.

Kerala Beaches are :

Alappuzha Beach :

Alappuzha Beach is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha.  The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. Visit during sunset and you'll find the same sea quietly jostling against the pure white sands, its waters abundant with catch for the fisher folk. After meeting the roaring sea, you can enjoy a lifetime boat cruise on the emerald backwaters by a romantic night, the famous attractions of Alappuzha beach. The beach houses the famous, ancient pier that is about 140 years old and the age- old lighthouse that was built by Captain Hugh Crawford in 1862 lies almost in ruins. This lighthouse helped to increase the trade in the past by transporting commodities and people through boats. These historic remnants add a colonial air to the place that reminds us of its bygone days. 

Kappad Beach:

This is the historic beach located at a distance of 16 km from the Kozhikode town, the Kappad beach is wrapped in a sheet of history. Uncover it to know that this was the land where the famous Portuguese sailor, Vasco da Gama set his feet in the year 1498 along with 170 men. This marked the beginning of a new era and new relationship between the Indians and the Portuguese which lasted for 4 to 5 centuries later.  On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old.

Kovalam beach:

This internationally renowned beach of Kerala comprises of three adjacent crescent shaped beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular. The amazing Arabian Sea, the golden glowing sands and the coconut canopies all come together as a package for the picture perfect holiday. The Beach is just 16kms. from Trivandrum. A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful sea-food fare including lobsters available at the beachside restaurants. 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.

Shanghumugham Beach:

This beach of Kerala is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers.  This Beach has an indoor recreation club, the Matsya Kanyaka ( a giangetic 35m long sculpture of mermaid), a restaurant shaped like a starfish and a traffic training park for children. A star-shaped restaurant is also seen here. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and a flying club are located near by. Fishing is an attractive scene in Shanghumugham Beach. Shanghumugham beach wears a festive look during the temple festivals. The beach is more crowded during the weekends and local holidays. Sunset at this beach is sight worth seeing. The Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here attracts children and helps them to learn the traffic rules.

Poovar Beach :

Poovar Beach in Kerala is one of the most picturesque Beaches in India. Poovar Beach is approximately a 45 minutes drive away from Kovalam. Beach of Poovar a beautiful location in Kerala. This stunning location has been successful in attracting many tourists over the years. This charming Kerala beach is considered as one of the leading tourists spots in Kerala. Poovar Beach is a place where life goes on as it did hundred years ago, nonchalant of the worldly transformations. Poovar is one among the natural wonders where the Lake, River, Sea and Beach meet the land. A rare find in Kerala, the southern state of India. Poovar is unspoilt and unexplored, enveloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach.

Marari Beach:

Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf, but it is more. An authentic experience of the world Kerala's traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. 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.

Cherai Beach:

This Lovely Kerala Beach bordering Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally spotted here. A typical Kerala Village nearby with paddy fields and coconut groves is an added attraction. The beach is just 23kms. from Cochin. 15 Kms long Cherai Beach is the best clean golden beach of Kerala and is rightly called “The Princess of the Queen of the Arabian sea". Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction. The newly beautified 400 Meters of the main beach with the walkway adds to the charm and the High mask lamp makes the beach enjoyable even at night. Cherai is well known for the mouth lingering fresh sea food.

Varkala Beach:

Vakala Beach of Kerala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.  The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions there. The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense. The mineral water gushing from the hill is believed to have medicinal properties.

Nattika Beach:

This lovely beach of Kerala is 24kms. from Thrisssur. Stroll the beach with fascinating fantasies, reminding you of nature, the surroundings are gifted with backwaters surrounded by palm grooves; relax in the beach huts or unwind in the hammocks. The picturesque beach at Nattika village in Thrissur district is an ideal place to spend leisure time. It remains virgin, as the place is not much explored by visitors.

This wide and virgin Kerala beach is blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand and graciously swaying palm trees. This picturesque place is suited for beach holidays and package tours. Nattika beach is the place to experience the love of nature. The beach is clean and long. You can walk any long to left or right. Deep sea fishing is an optional attraction.

Kozhikode Beach:

This beach is favorite haunt of sunset viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the old – world charm retained by the ancient lighthouse and the two crumbling piers each more than a hundred years old that run into the Sea. It was here at Kappad that Vasco Da Gama landed in his search for the spices of the Orient. Today the serene beaches, lush green countryside, historic sites, all combine to make this a popular tourist destination filled with a warm ambience.

Its natural beauty and old world charm makes it a dreamy place to visit. The beach has an old lighthouse and two crumbling piers running into the sea, each more than a hundred years old. Children can be entertained at the Lions Park and the Marine Water Aquarium. One can drag from the beach the city of Calicut or Kozhikode awaits you with its unique culture and other treasures.

Beypore Beach:

The Beach is just 10kms. from the south of Kozhikode. The Beypore beach is located at the mouth of the River Chaliyar and gives you an opportunity to enjoy dreamlike vistas. One of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry. Here, the time stands still as the specialist craftsmen design and shape "Uru" (the traditional Arabian trading vessel).

The Beypore Beach has a bridge built nearly 2 kms into the sea. It is actually made up of huge stones piled together for nearly 2 kms making a pathway into the Arabian Sea. Gaze in wonderment at the serene water world, listen to the natural music of the sea waves and feel the quiet and calm of this lovely tour destination in Kerala, South India.

Payyambalam Beach:

Payyambalam beach of Kannur is a vast stretch of golden sands dotted with coconut trees. The adjacent Baby Beach through the Burnassery Cantonment is delightfully quiet. The beautiful Beach is just 2kms. from Kannur. This secluded beach is an ideal getaway for you if you want to spend a relaxed and laidback evening amidst calm surroundings.

Take a Tour to Payyambalam Beach and experience the beautiful Arabian Sea from the sandy shores of the Payyambalam Beach. The well laid out garden and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother & child erected by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it extremely captivating. The beautifully landscaped garden next to the beach is also a major crowd puller. It is a popular hang out among young and old alike.  This beach is an alluring place where many popular Indian movies have been picturised. It is definitely worth the visit if you go to Kannur.

Kizhunna Beach:

This beach is just 11kms. from Kannur . The beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala. Kizhunna Ezhara Beach is palm-fringed stretch of sand where in seclusion you will find peace and retreat from daily drudgeries. The surrounding coconut groves strewn all along the beach promises a relaxed stay. In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the place is enlivened by Kathakali performances.

Kizhunna Beach is an alluring place where life goes on as it did hundred years ago, unperturbed by the worldly commotion. This beach has a beautiful location where people come for picnic or visit the place as a favorite weekend Getaway where you can bath in the cascading waves and get the pleasure of being pampered by nature. The Beach is ideal location for relaxation and rejuvenating your spirits, as you will have plenty of peace and solitude for yourself in this place. Aqua-Tourism is one of the most significant characteristic of Kerala and Kizhunna Ezhara Beach is a distinctive spot to substantiate on this pivotal feature.

Meen Kunnu Beach:

This beach is an uncrowded beach and a tourists' paradise. It is with golden sand and surf and attractive one. It is 12 km from Kannur. The beach is a tourist paradise with golden sand & surf. The beach is 12kms. from Kannur. The name of the beach is derived from the Malyalam Language where Meen means fish and Kunnu means hill. This beach attracts a lot of tourists with its beauty. Meen Kunnu beach is an expansion of Payyambalam Beach which is located two kilometers from the new rewritten of Kannur.

Bekal Fort Beach:

The beach is just 1kms away from Bekal Fort in Kasargod. The sobriquet name of the beach is Pallikere Beach this scenic seaside offers a spectacular view of the historic fort and has ample facilities fro recreation & relaxation. Beautification of the beach includes installation of two sculptures of Theyyam created using laterite at the beach and a shed with walls adorning murals created by artisans from Nilambur. Apart from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where laterite boulders of various size has been utilized. Under the social forestry scheme planting trees has been done in the beach area.

The imposing circular fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach is near the Bekal Fort Beach. The beach has been illuminated during the evening hours so that tourists can more spend time at the beach even after the sun set.

Multi shed and Eru madam would provide the tourist enough facility to take rest and enjoy the sea breeze. By using locally available materials seating arrangements has been provided for the tourists at the beach. A park has been developed here for children below 14 years.

Kappil Beach:

Kappil Beach stretches along for more than 25 acres of land. The beach is just 2kms. from Bekal fort , a winding lane meanders through Palm – fringed landscape to this totally unpolluted Secluded beach. The Kodi Cliff close by offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. 2km.  away from the Pallikunnam Temple. For those who prefer Thoreau to Harold Robbins, the secluded and relatively unexplored Kappil Beach should prove idyllic. This sun-drenched beach is a perfect getaway after a hectic tour of the nearby Bekal Fort which is 6kms away. Besides the natural beauty of the beach, adventure-loving souls can even ascend the nearby Kodi cliff to get a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea.

Kappil Beach of Kerala is a beautiful place where life goes on as it did hundreds of years ago, unperturbed by the worldly din. Kappil Beach is a lovely place where people come for picnics or visit the place as a favorite weekend Getaway where you can bath in the cascading waves and get the pleasure of solitary saunters along the beach. Kappil Beach is an ideal location for relaxing and rejuvenating your spirits, as you will have plenty of peace and solitude for yourself in this place.

Payyoli Beach:

The shallow water of this beautiful Kerala beach is ideal for swimming. During November – December hordes of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle come to lay eggs. Payyoli is one of the most outstanding tourism spot which has a good crowd of visitors. Payyoli is well-renowned for its famous Payyoli Beach, which is merely 45 kilometers away from Kadavu and 14 kilometer all the way through the Sea.

Payyoli Beach of Kerala will never fail to visit the Trikkottur Perumalpuram Temple in Kozhikode District. Ardent followers of lord Shiva will never fail to visit the temple during their visit. This Kerala Beach offers a golden stretch of sand and queued up swaying coconut palm trees which enliven it further. A quiet and well groomed place for swimming, this remote village is creditable for its serenity and down to earth qualities. During the months of November and December, Olive Ridley turtles, an endangered species come on shore to lay eggs.

Vizhinjam Beach:

This Kerala beach is lying just 15 kms from Trivandrum; this is a historic spot, which was left unnoticed for a long time. The capital of Ay-Vel kings of the 8th - 9th century, the only thing that has withstood time is a rock temple, assigned to the period of the Cheras because of a strong influence to die Pallava Pandya architecture. The rock temple is just a little off the main junction, and is a protected monument under the Archeological Survey of India.
Vizhinjam Beach of Kerala was once a commercial centre for the Europeans, Portuguese and Dutch who had trade ties with the local kings. The attractions at Vizhinjam are the ruins of rock-cut temples. The beach offers everything that is associated with seaside destinations of Kerala. There are fishing boats jostling for space, fishermen repairing their fishing nets and women haggling over the price of the day's catch. All around is the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. It is a pleasant sight to see fishermen pushing their boats into the sea at dusk. 

TRAVEL TIPS FOR KERALA BEACHES

Ø       Putting on hat is an intelligent step as that will cover up whole of head region of the body.

Ø       Sunglasses of dark shades prevent eyes from sun rays. Also, sunglasses must have glasses composed of material that do not affect the eyes.

Ø       Do not expose whole body to the sun and sands. It is recommended that one should put on and cover up upper region of the body as well. Also, knickers and lowers are useful in the beaches.

Ø       Slippers or shoes are also required for the beaches.

LOTION AND OTHER GELS   -   Sun lotions or gels safeguard the body parts and coat the epidermis. However; one must be selective for the kind of gels and lotions used. Lip guard and other gels prevent skin from tanning and drying up of the skin.

OTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES   -   Especially kids and old age people must be very cautious as they are overt to the beach hazards. One should be always prepared for any kinds of injuries like bruises and even sand getting into the eyes. Also, one must avoid going to the beaches when sun rays are direct and winds are blowing at high speed.