The beaches of Kerala are renowned the world over for their breathtaking beauty. The blues of the sky and the blue waters of the beaches of Kerala come together to take away your blues. Amongst the popular beaches of Kerala are the Kovalam Beach and Varkala beach. Kappad is a small beach near Calicut. This is the historic beach where Vasco - de - Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, A.D. with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded, pleasant beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea.

Kerela has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, natural harbors, 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.

KOVALAM BEACH:
Location : Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city,south Kerala. Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all year destination
Kovalam, today is unarguably the most popular beach hangouts in India. Crystal clear blue waters of the Arabian Sea, miles of white sands washed away by the surf, the rocky promontories and coconut groves makes this beach nothing less than a paradise.
A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages,special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc. The beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. On the southern side is the most popular - Lighthouse Beach. Going further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque. The central beach and the northern beach are called Hawah and Samudra respecively. Thiruvananthapuram,the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle.But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery,the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Ponmudi hill station etc.SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium,is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.

VARKALA BEACH:
Location : 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city.
Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. Varkala is a sea side resort and also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. A dip in the holy waters of this beach is believed to purify the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name 'Papanashini (destroyer of sin)' for this shore.
Varkala beach is among the most popular beach resorts in Kerala, mainly because of the mineral water springs with medicinal properties that gush out of the high cliffs bordering the beach. A two thousand year old shrine the Janardhanaswamy Temple, stands on the cliffs overlooking the beach,a short distance away. The Sivagiri Mutt, founded by the great Hindu reformer and Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru (1856 - 1928) is also close by.The Samadhi (the final resting place) of the Guru here attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days - 30th December to 1st January.

Nearest railway station : Varkala.
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram international Airport, nearly 57 km away.

SANKUMUGHAM BEACH:
Location : 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram City
Sankumugham beach adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village. The beach has a long stretch of clean sand but the water here is not suitable for bathing. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are some of the attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

BEKAL FORT BEACH :
Location : 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram City, Kasaragod: Location: About a kilometre from Bekal Fort, about 16 km south of Kasaragod on the national highway, Kasaragod district, north Kerala.
Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala is renowned as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing circular fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation.

BEYPORE BEACH :
Location : About 10 km south of Kozhikode town at the mouth of the Chaliyar River
Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala, was an important trade and maritime centre 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 Arabian trading vessel), which boasts a tradition of over1500 years.
The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuaryestuary is considered as a birdwatchers paradise, due to the variety of local as well as migratory bird life. Migratory birds flock here in large numbers during February-March.
The sanctuary is spread over a group of islands in a scenic area surrounded by hillocks where the Kadalundi River flows into the Arabian Sea. The place is locally known as Kadalundi Nagaram.

Nearest Railway Station: about 10 kms from Kozhikode town.
Nearest Airport: Karipur International Airport, about 23 kms from Kozhikode town.

KOZHIKODE BEACH :
Location : About 25 km from Karipur International Airport
Kozhikode, the most important region of Malabar in yesteryears, was the capital of the powerful Zamorins and also a prominent trade and commerce center. Kozhikode Beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. Its natural beauty and old world charm makes it a dreamy place to visit. The beach has an old lighthouse and two crumbling piers running into the sea, each more than a hundred years old. Children can be entertained at the Lions Park and the Marine Water Aquarium. Should you be able to drag yourself away from the beach the city of Calicut or Kozhikode awaits you with its unique culture and other treasures.

Nearest Railway Station: Kozhikode, about 1 km
Nearest Airport: Karipur International Airport,about 25 km

PATHIRAMANAL:
Location : between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom and is accessible by boat only
This island is located between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom and is accessible by boat only. It is surrounded by the Vembanad Lake and the Kayamkulam Lake. The little island of Pathiramanal, on the Backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land. The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise.

CHERAI BEACH :
Location : Near Vypeen Island accessible by boat (30 minutes journey) from Ernakulam
The lovely beach bordering the Vypeen island is ideal for swimming. The sea on the western side and the backwaters on the east give this upcoming tourist destination, a uniqueness which can be found only in Kerala. Thick coconut groves and chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.
Nearest railway station : Ernakulam Junction, about one km from the main boat jetty.

Nearest railway station : Ernakulam Junction, about one km from the main boat jetty.
Nearest airport : Kochi International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.