The 30 beaches in Kerala including some you didn't know existed!

Kerala has several beaches, a few of which get the most tourist traffic. Here we list 30 beaches of Kerala including the little known ones, where you can find virgin locales, beautiful sand and water with  breathtaking natural beauty.

13. Padinharekara Beach

This is another of Kerala’s beautiful beaches. The main attraction of this beach is that one can see the confluence of river Bharatha, river Tirur and the Arabian Sea.

Pallikere beach is about 1 kilometer from the Bekal fort. The main attraction of this beach is that it offers a breathtaking view of the Bekal fort.

Payyambalam beach is a long stretch of smooth sand located at a distance of 2 kilometers from Kannur. The beauty of this beach is reflected in the huge laterite cliffs jutting out into the sea at one end. A walking distance from Fort St. Angelo, the Payyambalam beach is ideal for a romantic walk along the seashore, or a quiet meditation in its peaceful and serene atmosphere.

40 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala is a quiet beach embroidered with rocky cliffs on all sides. There a seaside resort and a spa, offering the best of authentic Kerala Ayurvedic therapies, and is a big hit with foreign tourists. The high cliffs are full of rich mineral springs and their medicinal properties attract both tourists and locals. Varkala is also a famous Hindu pilgrimage center and is home to the 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy temple. Varkala is also known as the Papanasam beach, owing to a popular belief that bathing in its waters washes away one’s sins.

This beach is an eternal favourite with sunset viewers. Located at a distance of 8 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the beach is famous for another prized attraction: the "Matsya Kanyaka", a 35-meter-long sculpture of a mermaid.

‘Nature at her glorious best’... this statement would very well summarize Somatheeram beach. 15 acres of greenery generously sloping down towards soft, white sands that lazily stretch into an azure calm sea, the setting is almost like a divine dream. An Ayurvedic resort only completes this perfect picture and Somatheeram beach is most popular with foreign tourists who come here for the different kinds of Ayurvedic treatments and therapies.

Thangasseri beach is about 5 kilometers from Kollam town and is famous for its historic importance. The ruins of an old Portuguese fort adorn the seashore and ruins of eighteenth century churches can be seen nearby.

This small beautiful beach lies 6 kilometers north of the town of Kollam and is an ideal picnic destination for both tourists and locals alike.

21. Vallikunnu Beach

The Vallikunnu beach has a wonderful beach resort set right in the middle of a beautiful coconut grove. The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is another added attraction.

22. Muzhappilangad Beach

Located 15 kilometers to the south of Kannur, the Muzhappilangad beach is one of Kerala’s longest beaches. This drive-in beach is very popular among tourists.

This beautiful beach is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from Manjeswaram. The main attraction of this beach is its appearance; the sea water can be seen in a swimming pool-like formation and tourists visit this beach for enjoying hours of relaxed swimming in the cool waters.

Tanur is a small fishing town off the coast of Kerala and is believed to have been visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1546. The Portuguese were the earliest to settle down in Tanur. Besides the Tanur beach, the Keraladesapuram temple (3 kilometers south of Tanur) dedicated to Lord Vishnu and said to be among the oldest temples in Kerala, is another main tourist attraction.

A virgin and untouched beach, Poovar is surrounded by tranquil backwaters slowly entering the sea. The golden, sandy beach with clear, undisturbed waters at Poovar is undoubtedly every tourist’s dream destination for a quiet holiday.

As if nature’s wonders weren’t enough, the man-made island of Willingdon stands out in all its splendour, gracing the coastline of Cochin with its beautiful backwaters and blue seas. Named after the erstwhile British Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon, the island is home to the Southern Naval Headquarters, the Cochin Port Trust and the Customs House.

Dolphin’s Point beach is most popular with tourists who come here to watch dolphins at play in the early hours of the day. This beach is about 2 kilometers from Kozhikode town and covers a long stretch of sand, outlined with lush green trees. The beach is also famous for its Lions Club park, a lighthouse and two long piers.

Mopilla bay is Kerala’s natural fishing harbour, situated near St. Angelo’s Fort. The main attraction of this bay is the huge natural sea wall that extends from St. Angelo’s Fort and separates the sea from the inland water body. Several fishing boats and trawlers enter the bay from the sea for purposes of safe anchorage.

Lagoons are a characteristic of the coastal state of Kerala and the one that stands out is the Veli lagoon. Located on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, the Veli lagoon is a bustling tourist spot, with a boat club offering facilities like boating, swimming, entertainment for group parties and the like. The tranquil waters of the Veli lake add to the beauty of the place and the Veli lagoon is an ideal destination for tourists seeking a quiet holiday.

Kuruva island lies 17 kilometers to the east of Mananthavadi. It has around 950 acres of evergreen forests situated on the banks of the river Themkabani. This island has become a famous tourist attraction, known for its rare collection of birds, animals, plants and several medicinal herbs.

Read the first part of this article:
Guide to the 30 beaches of Kerala including little known beaches