Kovalam Beach

Kovalam beach has some of the finest beach resorts in India. Some of them have been operating for about four decades now. Spas and luxury hotels, too, have turned up around the beach area. Discovered by the Maharaja of Travancore, it became the favorite spots for hippies in the sixties, and today it’s unarguably Kerala’s most developed tourism spot and a benchmark in terms of facilities and standards. The beach is perfect for family holidays and retirement vacations, since accommodation, travel and other recreational amenities are the best possible. A popular beach among European travellers and hikers, Kovalam has become the face of coastal tourism of south India.

Kovalam beach consists of a long stretch of sand with rock piers separating it into three different crescent-shaped beaches. They are the Lighthouse beach, the Hawwa beach (Eve’s beach) and the Ashoka beach.

The Lighthouse beach is the most popular among the three because of its view. The lighthouse and rocket pier are on one side and coconut groves on the other. Beema Palli (a famous mosque in Trivandrum) sits on the shore.

The Hawwa beach is a favourite haunt for families and those who come in large groups. With a good canopy of coconut trees on the shore, it’s the best place for some quality play time. It’s also good for sunbathing. Despite being frequented by tourists, it has been kept up well.

The Lighthouse beach and Hawwa beach are separated by a stone pier, locally called ‘Edakkallu’. The Ashoka beach is rocky and has rock piles on all three sides. It is a centre for local fishermen. Traditional boats known as catamarans rest on the shore, waiting for the fisherman’s call. Ashoka beach is popular among youngsters, because of the shallow shore that permits sea swimming. You can rest assured here as there are lifeguards on duty. Jackets and other safety equipment are available.

HOW TO GET THERE
Kovalam is easily accessible from the rest of Kerala. It is 16km from the capital city of the state, Trivandrum. The Trivandrum Airport is only 10km from the beach.Buses and taxis will take you to major cities and towns in Kerala.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Travel with the fishermen on their catamarans. Walk to the nearby curio shops; learn to bargain! Enjoy the sea food specialties from Vizhinjam, a seaport here km away. There are beautiful temples and mosques at Vizhinjam.

Sponsored Link