The word Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. Kovalam is a small village on the shore line of Kerala. The sun kissed beaches, secluded coves, cool blue waters………the coastal towns of Kovalam inspire with its refreshing nature and pristine environs. Here history and culture are rooted in nature waiting for you to explore and revel in its mystic charm. One can feel as every grain of sand whispers the secrets of true happiness, each wiff of unpolluted air revives your body and mind
Kovalam Beach, Kerala is just 16kms. South of Trivandrum. Due to its natural beauty and fine sand washed beach Kovalam is the most famous south Indian Beach. Mainly there are two beaches in Kovalam along with many private beaches. One of the Kovalam beaches is Eve's beach, a semi-circular one, well known for its secluded location and its relatively good beach area. Another famous Kovalam beach is that of Lighthouse beach where a lighthouse situates, which belong to the British period.
The palm-fringed bays with secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvelous beach is a tourist's dream come true.
Visit a Fishing hamlet: Revel in the endless stretch of sandy white beaches at the tiny fishing village of Chawara which is just 8kms. from Kovalam, this peaceful place is a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts. An ideal locale to relax and unwind.
THINGS TO DO
A Bit of Sightseeing
The first sight that will captivate your eyes is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Dominating the rocky promontory, the lighthouse still glows in the darkness of night at regular intervals. The light emitted by it during this time creates a magical atmosphere on the beach which you will definitely love. A small mosque by the name of Kovalam Jama Masjid stands on the Ashok beach and right across, on the other side of the road, is a Ganapati Temple. You can pay a visit to both these religious places while on Kovalam beach.
Explore yourself with Fun and Entertainment
Kovalam beach, Kerala, India is an ideal place for swimming, kayaking, surfing and skiing. However, take care as though the water here may look very quiet, yet it has a history of quiet a few drowning cases. Instructions are given in English, Hindi, Malayalam and German that specifically point out that only the area marked by green flag is safe for tourists. The red flags indicate zones that can be precarious if ventured into. There are lifeguards as well, so pay attention to the instructions and you will have nothing but fun on the beach.
Angling is also an option open for you. You only need to hire a boat from a fisherman and set out to get your catch. If you are hiring a traditional catamaran, it is advisable that you take along the fisherman as well for your safety. Explore other activities like handicraft, jewellery and cloth shops that line up along the beach and pick up the ones you like. Alternatively, a brilliant Kathakali performance, the classical dance drama of Kerala, will surely raise your spirits.
Explore the Beach
The rocky promontories still invite you to view some magnificent sights from the top, especially during the awesome sunset. Walk barefooted on the sands of the beach and admire the greenery around. And before you forget, there are numerous restaurants on the beaches that are fairly good place to enjoy typical Kerala sea food as well as some Swiss and German specialties.
Explore the water world
Go snorkeling in the pristine shallow waters of the Eve’sBeach and catch a glimpse of the amazing water world. Watch colourful fishes fitting through the rocks or explore the beautiful coral reefs and the myriad life it harbours.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala is just 16kms. South of Trivandrum. Due to its natural beauty and fine sand washed beach Kovalam is the most famous south Indian Beach. Mainly there are two beaches in Kovalam along with many private beaches. One of the Kovalam beaches is Eve's beach, a semi-circular one, well known for its secluded location and its relatively good beach area. Another famous Kovalam beach is that of Lighthouse beach where a lighthouse situates, which belong to the British period.
The palm-fringed bays with secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvelous beach is a tourist's dream come true.
Visit a Fishing hamlet: Revel in the endless stretch of sandy white beaches at the tiny fishing village of Chawara which is just 8kms. from Kovalam, this peaceful place is a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts. An ideal locale to relax and unwind.
THINGS TO DO
A Bit of Sightseeing
The first sight that will captivate your eyes is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Dominating the rocky promontory, the lighthouse still glows in the darkness of night at regular intervals. The light emitted by it during this time creates a magical atmosphere on the beach which you will definitely love. A small mosque by the name of Kovalam Jama Masjid stands on the Ashok beach and right across, on the other side of the road, is a Ganapati Temple. You can pay a visit to both these religious places while on Kovalam beach.
Explore yourself with Fun and Entertainment
Kovalam beach, Kerala, India is an ideal place for swimming, kayaking, surfing and skiing. However, take care as though the water here may look very quiet, yet it has a history of quiet a few drowning cases. Instructions are given in English, Hindi, Malayalam and German that specifically point out that only the area marked by green flag is safe for tourists. The red flags indicate zones that can be precarious if ventured into. There are lifeguards as well, so pay attention to the instructions and you will have nothing but fun on the beach.
Angling is also an option open for you. You only need to hire a boat from a fisherman and set out to get your catch. If you are hiring a traditional catamaran, it is advisable that you take along the fisherman as well for your safety. Explore other activities like handicraft, jewellery and cloth shops that line up along the beach and pick up the ones you like. Alternatively, a brilliant Kathakali performance, the classical dance drama of Kerala, will surely raise your spirits.
Explore the Beach
The rocky promontories still invite you to view some magnificent sights from the top, especially during the awesome sunset. Walk barefooted on the sands of the beach and admire the greenery around. And before you forget, there are numerous restaurants on the beaches that are fairly good place to enjoy typical Kerala sea food as well as some Swiss and German specialties.
Explore the water world
Go snorkeling in the pristine shallow waters of the Eve’sBeach and catch a glimpse of the amazing water world. Watch colourful fishes fitting through the rocks or explore the beautiful coral reefs and the myriad life it harbours.
Ride the waves on a Catamaran
Just sweep over the waves on a wooden raft – the catamaran derived from the local word Kettu – maram (the long tide together). These pieces of wood joined at the ends with ropes to form a floating craft. An adventurous tourist can even ride the catamaran at their own or else get the help of a local fisherman to row it for you. This ride also offers you a chance to see mussel harvesters who dive into the shallow waters near the rocky headlands and come up with handfuls of shellfish.
Get an Eagle’s – Eye View
Climb the 35metre tall lighthouse situated atop the Kurumkal hillock and explore the panoramic view of both the Lighthouse Beach and the Eve’s beach of Kovalam. Protruding into the sea at the southern end of the beach that is named after it the lighthouse painted in hues of red and white is open for the visitors from 10.00 am to 17.00 pm.
Walk the Sea Wall
Venture along the long rocky barricade separating the sea from the land at the Samundra beach reached by a detour past Kovalam Junction. It is an awesome sight to see the huge wave’s crash on the rocks below you.
Watch the amazing Feat
Applaud Kerala’s daring fishermen as they outdo the crashing waves by pushing their catamaran into the sea from a pier beyond the wave point and simultaneously jump into the sea from a pier just to see them doing this amazing feat during monsoon when they are unable to launch their boats from the beach. The entire Kovalam coastline and the nearby Shankhumugham Beach can be seen from this 703 feet long pier.
Discover a Cave Temple:
Unravel the mysteries of the rock cut cave Temple as far back as the 8th centuary. This Temple is situated in a few yards from the Vizhnijam harbour the temple opens out to an underground cave which at present is completely blocked. An incomplete bas relief of Shiva appears on the granite boulder on either side of the opening and an idol of sashta sits at the entrance of the cave. Nearby is another ancient temple with idols of seven deities, located on an elevated ground overlooking the sea accessed through a narrow path.
Shopping for souvenirs
Buy an exciting range of collectibles from Tibetan knick – Knacks to Kashmiri Shawls, Chunky silver ornaments to ethnic jewellery, Malabar Spices to Kerala artefacts and much more from the numerous shops lining the beachside. Quality paintings, antiques, curios and hand – woven saris are other good buys from these shops.
HOW TO REACH KOVALAM BEACH
By Air: The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) about 15kms from Kovalam.
By Rail: Thampanur railway station in Trivandrum is an important rail head of the Southern Railway and is well linked to major towns up country as well as within the State just 15 Kilometers from Kovalam.
By Road: Thiruvananthapuram the capital City of Kerala is easily accessible by road.
