The Best Beaches In Kerala India

Wedged between the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east, Kerala is bestowed with a 580km (360 mile) coastline dotted with spectacular beaches all along her western length. Kerala‘s long coastline, with her history of spice-trade dating as far back as 3000 BC, is inextricably intertwined with her culture, life, and traditions.

Kovalam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala.com Travel Division, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, + 91 98460 43403

Papasnanam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Varkala formation, a geological monument as declared by Geological Survey of India, gives Papasnanam beach, aka Varkala Beach, its unique identity. Varkala offers excellent facilities for tourists, including Ayurvedic wellness centres. A short distance away, standing on the cliff is a 2,000 year old shrine of Janardhanaswamy.

Kerala.com Travel Division, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, + 91 98460 43403

The word Papasnanam means ‘to wash away sins’ and it is believed that a dip in the waters here washes away all your offences

Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

The white sands and serene atmosphere at Shankumugham Beach forms an ideal location for relaxation. A humongous 35m (115 ft) long sculpture of Matsya Kanyaka – Mermaid – is one of the main attractions.

Shankumugham Beach is one of the favourite haunts of sunset watchers

Poovar Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Located at the juncture where Neyyar River merges with the Arabian Sea, Poovar Beach offers exquisite landscapes that are a photographer’s delight. Poovar Beach, with its golden sands and exotic wildlife forms one of the most sought after picnic spots in the state.

Mundakkal Beach, Kollam

In June 2016, an abandoned anchored dredger ship washed onto the shores of Mundakkal. This shot the beach onto the list of most visited beaches in Kerala and a prime addition onto the bucket lists of beach lovers.

Kollam Beach, Kollam

An array of beach activities attracts many tourists to Kollam Beach. The port city of Kollam was one among the most active ancient trading harbours and is still home to Chinese fishing nets, Chinese water pots and sampan – a flat-bottomed Chinese wooden boat.

Alappuzha Beach, Alappuzha

Home to the famous Alappuzha Beach Festival, Alappuzha beach holds an important place in every beach lover’s heart in Kerala. The state’s first international sand art festival was held here on April 26, 2015.

Marari Beach, Alappuzha

Marari Beach in a quaint sleepy village in Alappuzha district is touted for its peace and quiet. It was rated as one of the world’s top five ‘Hammock Beaches’ by National Geographic survey.

Cherai Beach, Ernakulam

Cherai Beach is around 10km (6.2 mi.) long and is ideal for swimming as the tide is mostly low and the waves are gentle. Dolphin sightings are frequent in this beach. Ruins of Pallippuram Fort, an old Portuguese fort from the imperial era, and Pallipuram Church are the main attraction near the beach.

Chavakkad Beach, Thrissur

Chavakkad Beach is counted as one of the most popular beaches in Kerala because it remains mostly unexplored. You can experience up close the daily life of fisher folk in this little fishing village during the wee hours and get into the thrill of daily auctions held for boat-loads of fish.

Kappad Beach, Kozhikode

Memorial

Kappad Beach is well known because of the erroneous attribution of it being the beach where Vasco da Gama set foot on May 27, 1498 on his first visit to Kerala. This misconception was further solidified by the installation of a memorial stone by the Government in Kappad beach. However, this brought numerous tourists to this beach in Kozhikode.

Beypore Beach, Kozhikode

Building

Beypore is an ancient port town and one of the oldest ports in Kerala, which has a marina and a beach. Beypore is historically famous for its ship building industry as it traded with the Middle East.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Kannur

Stretching across 4kms (2.5 mi.), Muzhappilangad Beach is Kerala’s only drive-in beach and the longest in India. It was featured among the top six best beaches for driving in the world in a BBC article for autos.

Bekal Fort Beach, Kasaragode

Kerala.com Travel Division, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, + 91 98460 43403

The Best Beaches in Kerala, India

Kovalam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Papasnanam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Poovar Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Mundakkal Beach, Kollam

Kollam Beach, Kollam

Alappuzha Beach, Alappuzha

Marari Beach, Alappuzha

Cherai Beach, Ernakulam

Chavakkad Beach, Thrissur

Kappad Beach, Kozhikode

Beypore Beach, Kozhikode

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Kannur

Bekal Fort Beach, Kasaragode

Read Next

Papasnanam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $300 on our unique trips.

Cherai Beach, Ernakulam

Read Next

Sign up to our newsletter to
save up to $300 on our unique trips.