A few portions of Kerala other than the Western Ghats lie on the Malabar Coast, around 600 kilometres. There are around 34 beaches in Kerala fringed in the Arabian Sea belt. In fact, Kerala has the longest driving beach in Asia – Muzhappilangad Beach in the Kannur district. Also, the coastal belt in Kerala sprawls through nine districts, and hence, it is no brainer that beaches in Kerala provide water sports snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, etc. Coming to the point, the Malabar Coastline in God’s Own Country is backed with some of the world’s most fascinating beaches. For instance, Varkala Beach has cliffs adjacent to it. Kovalam Beach is the Blue Flag Tag beach known for its pristine waters and cleanliness. The list can go on and on!
When is the best time to visit beaches in Kerala?
All the year round, beaches in Kerala demand exploration. But you should avoid visiting Kerala beaches during monsoon from July to September when the rainfall interrupts the watersports activities.
10 Best Beaches in Kerala for Flip Flop Memories
1. Varkala Beach in Trivandrum District
Nearby airport: Trivandrum Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam Junction
Hotels near Varkala Beach: Clafouti Beach Resort, Sanctum Spring, Hindustan Beach Retreat
This beach of Kerala needs a special introduction because it is one of the romantic beaches in Kerala for couples. Varkala Beach is famous for its natural spring properties, and the beach shacks here serve delicious seafood. There are plenty of watersports to try at Varkala Beach from September to March when the water is shallow, and there is no risk of high tide. If you are looking for a Kerala beach for swimming, you can flaunt yourself in the bikinis. Moreover, the yoga centres and ashrams in Varkala are an extension of Kerala’s distinct colours. What makes Varkala Beach a must-visit Kerala beach is its unique cliff setting adjacent to the Arabian Sea.
2. Marari Beach in Alappuzha District
Nearby airport: Kochi International Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alleppey
Hotels near Marari Beach: Eresseril Guest House, Flamingo Boutique Villa, Marari Fishermen Village Beach Resort
The sand of Marari Beach is white in colour, and coconut groves are scattered around the shoreline. You will be smitten by the golden hues of the sunset amongst the company of foreign tourists. Marari Beach is adjacent to the lagoon, where you can try a houseboat also. There are lots of homestays and hotels near the Marari Beach shoreline. If you are looking to take a houseboat tour in Alleppey along with a beach evening at the shacks, Marari Beach will provide you solitude in full throttle. Although watersports options are not many at Marari Beach, serenity and tranquillity will turn your heads up.
3. Bekal Beach in Kasargod District
Nearby airport: Mangalore Airport
Nearby railway station: Kasargod and Kanhangad.
Hotels near Bekal Beach: Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala, The Lalit Resort & Spa Bekal, and Hotel Bekal Palace
Bekal Beach is one of the famous beaches in Kerala to visit with kids and families. The shoreline of Bekal Fort is filled with kid’s friendly activities like kite flying all year round. However, swimming is not suggested at Bekal Beach because the beach is rough in nature. We like most about Bekal Beach because it shares a few of its shorelines with The Taj Bekal Resort & Spa. During your stay at the same property, expect to unwind at the private beach space. Adjacent to Bekal Beach is Bekal Fort, and you can explore both of them in one day trip to Kerala. If you want to capture the golden sands in your frame, Bekal Beach is a place to go!
4. Cherai Beach in Kochi
Nearby airport: Kochi Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alleppey
Hotels near Cherai Beach: Taj Bekal Resort and Spa, Kerala, The Lalit Resort & Spa Bekal, and Hotel Bekal Palace
This is another famous beach in Kerala located close to the Cochin International Airport. You will find many fishermen at Cherai Beach performing fishing activities. The sand here is golden in colour, and the fascinating seashells, dolphin sightseeing, and romantic walking on the shoreline are some of the best activities to do at Cherai Beach. You can club your trip to Cherai Beach with Vypin island to enjoy the backwaters trip also as both of them are located close. Also, Cherai Beach is one of those Kerala beaches where you can see the confluence of backwaters and the Arabian Sea. Also, swimming can be performed under the supervision of the lifeguards. In and around Cherai Beach, there are resorts for every budget.
5. Kovalam Beach in Trivandrum
Nearby airport: Trivandrum Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam Junction
Hotels near Kovalam Beach: Karma Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Sagara Beach Resort, Little Elephant Beach Resort
If foreigners in God’s Own Country asked about one of the best beaches in Kerala, they would name Kovalam in the same list for sure. This beach is known for its white sands, shallow waters, cleanliness and hence, bills itself one of the blue flag tag beaches in the world. From snorkelling to scuba diving to jet skiing, options are many to thrill yourself from head to toe. Even the shoreline of Kovalam Beach is dotted with Ayurveda resorts that provide unparalleled reservation. Did we mention that Kovalam and this beach is one of the oldest tourist enclaves of India dating back to the 1930s? Give Kovalam Beach the attention it deserves on your Kerala tour package.
6. Payyambalam Beach in Kannur
Nearby airport: Kannur International Airport.
Nearby railway station: Kannur Junction
Hotels near Payyambalam Beach: Marmara Beach House, Mascot Beach Resort, State Beach Boutique Resort & Spa
A beach is sliced out of 5 collective beaches that form Kannur Beach, and the result is Payyambalam Beach. This is a unique beach in Kerala with an incredibly inviting and serene aura. Payyambalam Beach is perfect for taking romantic walks, swimming, boating excursions. The 4 km shoreline of Payyambalam beach makes it stroll friendly for couples on the Kerala honeymoon tour package. Due to shallow water, surfing at Payyambalam Beach is one of the best watersports activities. All the year round, Payyambalam Beach is a good beach destination in Kerala but avoids the monsoon due to heavy rain.
7. Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam
Nearby airport: Trivandrum Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam Junction
Hotels near Lighthouse Beach: Sagara Beach Resort, The Neelkantha, Little Elephant Beach Resort
Don’t misinterpret the Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam with the Kovalam Beach. Lighthouse Beach is a stretch of blue flag tag Kovalam Beach and Hawah Beach, and Samudra Beach. As the name suggests, Lighthouse Beach is famous for its 45 m tall LIghthouses nestled atop the hillock. Apart from getting the sweeping views of the Arabian Sea from the lighthouse, surfing, parasailing, paragliding are must-do water sports activities at Lighthouse Beach. You should avoid visiting this beach during the monsoon as the tides are high.
8. Kappad Beach in Kozhikode District
Nearby airport: Calicut International Airport
Nearby railway station: Kozhikode Junction
Hotels near Kappad Beach: Renai Kappad beach Resort, Vasco Da Gama Beach Resort & Spa
What if we tell you Kappad Beach in Kerala is one of those ancient beaches that helped Vasco Da Gama find the permanent sea route from Europe to India in 1498? Now Kappad Beach is a permanent breeding ground of migratory birds. What makes Kappad Beach a must-visit Kerala beach is that Kappad Beach joins the league of the cleanest beaches in the world under the Blue Flag Tag certification. When you are here, nosh on at the lip-smacking Kozhikode special snacks from the small eateries around. However, this beach is rocky in nature, and hence, swimming is not suggested at Kappad Beach. But you will love sipping the coconut water while beholding the golden hues of the sunset with your beloved one.
9. Beypore Beach in Kozhikode
Nearby airport: Calicut International Airport
Nearby railway station: Kozhikode Junction
Hotels near Beypore Beach: The Raviz Calicut Hotel, Gotheeswaram Beach Gardens
Visit the Beypore Beach to witness the stunning combination of backwaters, sea beach, water-break, aka promenade for walking. Boat trips are conducted by the fishermen here, and hence, you will increase your chance to spot dolphins on a boating excursion. Any water activity at Beypore Beach is advised to avoid in the monsoon due to high tides. Take a 2 km seawall into the Arabian Sea with your beloved ones. And if you want to spend some hours of solitude with friends on a Kerala trip, Beypore Beach will not disappoint you.
10. Alleppey Beach in Alappuzha
Nearby airport: Kochi International Airport
Nearby railway station: Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alleppey
Hotels near Alleppey Beach: Baywatch Beach Resort, Abad Turtle Beach, Lemon Dew Beach House
Do you want to find the wealth of nature hidden in the sands of time? If yes, then plan to explore Alleppey Beach after a houseboat cruise. Kerala tourism has distinct praise for Alappuzha Beach because this beach in Kerala hosts Alappuzha Beach Festival, Sand Art Festival, and more. You will find good landscape photography options here. When you are here, choose to thrill yourself from head to toe with activities like parasailing, boating, jet, banana boat ride, surfing. Not to mention, you will find a range of luxury and budget-friendly staycation options in and around Alleppey Beach. Lastly, avoid travelling to Alleppey Beach during the monsoon if you want to enjoy watersports.
Wrapping Up
Now we hope that Goa is not India’s only beach destination. When you are in God’s Own Country, you can visit some of India’s brilliant beaches in Kerala. While planning a trip to Kerala in the quest for beach holidays, talk with your tour planner and ask them to provide knowledge about the beach destination in Kerala. Almost every beach of Kerala is dotted with coconut groves, while a few are located at the bisection of water bodies like backwaters.
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Faqs about Best Beaches of Kerala
What are the famous beach destinations in Kerala?
Kovalam, Varkala, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Alleppey, Kochi, Bekal are some of the famous beach destinations in Kerala.
Do Kerala Blue flag beaches?
Yes, Kovalam Beach Kappad Beach is Kerala’s blue flag tag beach.
How many beaches are in Kerala?
On average, the 600 kilometres of Malabar coastline in Kerala have been sliced into 34 beaches. However, that’s the estimated number.
Which district has more beaches in Kerala?
Kannur, Trivandrum, Kozhikode all have good shares of beaches within their vicinity.
How many beaches are in Kochi?
There are around 10 distinct beaches in Kochi, including Fort Kochi Beach, Puthuvype Beach, Cherai Beach, Njarackal Arattuvazhi Beach, Munambam Beach.
How many beaches are in Trivandrum?
There is no dearth of beaches in Trivandrum. A handful of them include Kovalam Beach, Shanghumukham Beach, Muthalapozhi, Ashoka Beach, Puthenthope Beach, Thumba Beach.
How many driving beaches are in Kerala?
Muzhappilangad Beach is Kerala’s longest driving beach.
Which is the most visited beach In Kerala?
Amongst the most visited beaches in Kerala, Varkala, Kovalam, Lighthouse ranks the top.
Why is Varkala Beach famous?
Varkala Beach is famous for its cliffside setting adjacent to the blue Arabian Sea. Also, the beach is known to have medical properties that promote healing.
Which is the largest beach in Kerala?
Kovalam Beach in the Trivandrum district is the largest beach in Kerala. It is commissioned from the cluster of three other beaches, including Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach, Samudra Beach.
