Sharing its western border with the Arabian Sea, Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbours, lagoons and sheltered coves. All of it as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.

Thiruvananthapuram

The Kovalam Beach
(16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city): This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

The Varkala Beach
(41 km from Thiruvananthapuram city): Varkala is a seaside resort an spa, as well as an important Hindu cente of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 years old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attraction here.

The Shanghumukham Beach
(8 km from Thiruvanathapuram city): This is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram airport and Veli Tourist Village.
An indoor recreation clum, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m loing sculpture of a mermaid ) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here.

Kollam

The Thanagasseri Beach
( 5 km from Kollam town) This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri Lighthouse is open to visitors from 1530 - 1730 hrs.

The Tirumullavaram Beach
(6 km from Kollam town): This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre and has frequent bus connections to the town.

Allappuzha Beach
This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old

Ernakulam

The Cheria Beach
(45 km form Ernakulam city): This lovely beach lordering Bypeen island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction.

The Fort Kochi Beach
(12 km from Ernakulam city): A leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful and colorful history. The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural interfaces are seen in the remains of the Indo European architecture here.

The Lakshadweep Islands

Lakshadweep, a Union Territory of India, is a group of 36 islands located in the Arabian Sea, about 300 km off Kerala. Of these islands, Andort, Amini, Agatti, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadamat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti and Minicoy are inhabited and are well known tourism destinations.

Malappura

Tanur
The small coastal fishing town of Tanur was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546.
About 3 m south of Tanur town is Keraladeshapuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and believed to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala.

Padinharekara Beach
At the end of the Tipu Sultan Road near Ponnani, the beach offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and the Arabian Sea.

Vallikunnu Beach
A beach resort set in the middle of a coconut groves is the main attraction here. The Kadalundi bird sanctuary is just a short distance away.

Kozhikode

Beypore
(10 km south of Kozhikode) Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar rive, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry. The boat building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru, the traditional, Arabian trading vessel.

Kappad
(16 km from Kozhikode) This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old.

Thikkoti Lighthouse
(15 km from Kannur): Black rocks protect this long, clean beach from the currents of the deep, making is shallow water a swimmer's paradise.
This is perhaps Kerala's only drive-n beach where you can drive down the entire length of 4 km.

The Ezhimala Beach
(50 km from Kannur): The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 m height). A naval academy is being developed here.

The Payambalam Beach
(2 km from Kannur): This long, lovely beach is a local picnic spot.

The Kizhunna Ezhara Beach
(11 km from Kannur): This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala.

The Dharmadam Island
(17 km from Kannur): The small 5 acre island covered with coconut palms and green bushes is a beautiful sight from the beach. Permission is required to enter this privately owned island (100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam ).