Kovalam

Kovalam is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches of India. The Sandy beach with three lovely bays stretches for miles. The backdrop of lush, tropical, green palm trees set against long sandy beaches and alluring blue sea is a breathtaking combination.Kovalam is extremely popular among westerners due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. It is also one of the oldest tourist enclave in India, which known among tourist circuit right in 1930s. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by The Queen of Travancore Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai decided to build a palace for herself at a rock top near the beach. Later Prince G.V Raja who found immense tourist potentiality of the region and decided promote the region among state guests, by inviting Thomas Cook & Sons to develop the region. It was 1970s, the hippie culture helped to revive the beach, with vast influx of tourists, spending their wild holidays here. 

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches in its 17 km coastline. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach is the most popular of the three. Many hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops are located here. It is frequented by outsiders who stay and enjoy Kovalam. The Northern most crescent,is crowded on weekends, is very popular with the locals, day-travelers, and passing-by tourist buses. During the week it's quiet. Hawa Beach lies in between. Those expecting a replica of Goa will be pleasantly surprised by the more relaxed atmosphere, a bit more laid back, the food a touch softer and lighter. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options are diverse like Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs and catamaran cruising are some of them. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes hotels, budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres. You have plenty of options to choose from. So all you have to do; indulge in !

Poovar… Wonder of Lake, River, Sea and Beach Meet the Land!

Poovar is considered as one among the natural wonders. In here the Lake, River, Sea and Beach meet the land. Poovar is unspoilt and unexplored; the beach is opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach.

 The historical significance of Poovar relates with the Great Marthanda Varma Maharaja. Poovar had strong ties with this legendary King of the erstwhile Princely State of Travancore.

Poovar beach separates River Neyyar from sea. Poovar is basically a fishing village. The single way to reach Poovar beach is through water. Poovar beach will sure haunt the lovers of solitude. Because of the fishing population, the facilities for water sports are not encouraged.

As rare found in Kerala, the estuary is among the natural wonders whwre the lake, river, sea and beach meet the land. Poovar has the wide appreciation as the true window to paradise.

The view of Poovar beach’s separation of the river from the sea is literally breathtaking. The traditional life styles followed by the natives here provide the experience of a natural museum. 

Varkala

Stunningly picturesque Varkala beach provides a peaceful and exquisite experience for 

any beach lovers. If you're looking for beaches and are fed up with the crowds and prices 

at Kovalam, then its well worth checking out Varkala. The best times to go, are of course 

in the season, when the beach extends out all around the cliff face for 500 meters.

 The setting of this beach is striking enough to take your breath away, with a long 

winding stretch of cliff and views that extend over the Arabian Sea. A paved footpath 

runs along the length of the cliff, bordered by coconut palms, quaint shops, beach 

shacks, hotels, and guest houses. Nestled at the bottom of the cliff is a long stretch of 

sparkling beach, reached by steps leading down from the cliff top.

Varkala's main beach is called Papanasam Beach (which means destroys all your sins) 

The beach is divided into two parts, with the southern area at the end of the road leading 

from the Janardhana Swamy Temple. It's where they come to perform the last rites 

after close relatives have died. The tourist part of the beach is located further north at 

the bottom of the cliff. There's also another small beach with black sand (affectionately 

called the Black Beach) near the coconut grove where the cliff ends in the far north. Just 

further north of Black Beach, quiet Odayam Beach is just starting to be discovered and 

developed. Head there if you want peace and quiet away from the action. From there 

you can walk further north up a coastal path to Edava Beach.

The beaches around this area are excellent and if you're looking for a cheap holiday; 

Varkala should definitely be on your list. In the off season its really mellow and relaxed, 

swim and sleep and chill out. Varkala is quite a new place to hang out in India and has 

only recently been developed as a tourist destination. Slowly even the north of Varkala 

Beach gets developed for tourists. There is a promenade built from the Department 

of Tourism, which allows a scenic walk for about 1.5h towards north, passing Odayam 

and Edava until Kappil.