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 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.