Kerala’s Arabian Sea coastline is nearly 600 km long and is blessed with some of India’s most stunning beaches. Whether you’re indulging in watersports, savouring fresh seafood, enjoying long walks by the shore, or taking in a breathtaking sunset, these beaches in Kerala offer the perfect escape from the hustle of city life. From the enchanting backwaters of Alappuzha Beach and the majestic cliffs of Papanasam Beach to the much-adored lighthouse that forms the backdrop of Kovalam Beach, these palm-fringed shores will delight any traveller. Join us on a journey to explore some of the best beaches in Kerala for a memorable vacation in God’s Own Country.
Stunning beaches in Kerala
Muzhappilangad Beach, Kannur
One of the most unique beaches in Kerala, this drive-in beach offers visitors a chance to drive or cycle along the 4-km-long stretch of the hard-packed sand beach. You can take your vehicle directly to the beach for a small fee starting INR 20. It also offers plenty of adventure and water sports opportunities. Time your trip in April to coincide with the annual beach festival, where adventure sports, cultural events, and vehicular stunts take centre stage. Several beach shacks serve delicious seafood and vegetarian fare, from the traditional fish fry to decadent milkshakes.
Planning a trip soon? Check out our guide to some of the most beautiful places in Kerala.
Location: QCWW+VQG, Muzhappilangad Beach Rd, Muzhappilangad, Kerala
What’s special: Muzhappilangad Beach is the longest drive-in beach in Asia.
Things to do: Paragliding, power boating, catamaran sailing, and parasailing.
Nearby beach resorts: Beach Pavilion Beach Resort, Mascot Beach Resort, and Club7 Beach Resort.
How to reach
By air: Kannur Airport is approximately 28 km away.
By train: Edakkad Railway Station is approximately 2 km away.
Book your stay at Mascot Beach Resort via Agoda.com
Marari Beach, Alappuzha
Fringed by palm and coconut trees, Marari Beach in Alappuzha is a haven for those looking for serene surroundings and unmatched coastal views. This white sand beach is an inviting place to set yourself down for yoga or Kerala’s famed Ayurvedic massages offered at nearby resorts. Plan a day trip to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, or spend the day at the beach, marvelling at the scenery with boats and stunning sunsets.
Location: South P.O, SH40, Mararikkulam, Cherthala, Kerala
What’s special: Marari Beach is far from the famed Alappuzha backwaters. Enjoy a quick trip to this beach during your backwaters stay.
Things to do: Go for a long walk on the beach, take a yoga class, and rent a beach chair for a quick nap.
Nearby beach resorts: Marari Beach Palace, Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, and Marari Villas.
How to reach
By air: Cochin International Airport is approximately 86 km away.
By train: Alleppey Railway Station is approximately 15 km away.
Book your stay at Marari Beach Palace via Booking.com
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Papanasam Beach, Thiruvananthapuram
Papanasam Beach, also known as Varkala Beach, is a popular and scenic escape for locals and tourists seeking a scenic getaway. Despite being immensely popular, it is still possible to find secluded and less-crowded stretches of coastline, perfect for a picnic or relaxation. Surrounded by towering red cliffs with natural springs, the beach is ideal for rest, indulging in Ayurvedic treatments, and leisurely sunbaths. The beach also holds religious significance. Legend has it that a dip in the waters here washes away sins, similar to the sacred Ganges River.
Location: PPM4+74R, Varkala, Kerala
What’s special: The medicinal properties of the natural springs make it a great place to take a dip.
Things to do: Stroll around Varkala Cliff, go surfing, and enjoy paragliding.
Nearby beach resorts: Clafouti Beach Resort, Palan Beach Resort, and Leisure Valley Beach Resort.
How to reach
By air: Trivandrum International Airport is approximately 51 km away.
By train: Varkala Railway Station is approximately 3 km away.
Book your stay at Palan Resort via Booking.com
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Lighthouse Beach, Thiruvananthapuram
The Lighthouse Beach at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, is the most-adored beach in Kerala, offering scenic views, a restaurant-lined promenade, and a multitude of adventure sports like snorkelling to see the corals. An ideal place for thrillseekers, the beach is also apt for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of the main town. Visitors can rent a beach bed or umbrella from nearby shacks that also serve delicious meals, including fresh seafood and vegetarian options.
For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best coral beaches in India.
Location: Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
What’s special: You can sign up for surfing lessons at the local surf schools.
Things to do: Go kayaking, climb the lighthouse for panoramic views, and try scuba diving to explore the underwater marine world.
Nearby beach resorts: The Leela Kovalam, Samudra Theeram Beach Resort, and Ocean Park Beach Resort.
How to reach
By air: Trivandrum International Airport is approximately 15 km away.
By train: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is approximately 11 km away.
Book your stay at The Leela Kovalam via Agoda.com
Payyambalam Beach, Kannur
One of the five beaches in Kannur, Payyambalam Beach, also known as the ‘walking beach’, is the perfect place to enjoy a tranquil environment. One of the cleanest beaches in Kerala, this crescent-shaped beach is ideal for swimming, jet-skiing, surfing, and other water sports. It is a popular destination for family picnics, enjoying fresh seafood, or watching the waves crash on the shore.
Location: Payyambalam Beach Walkway, Payyambalam, Kannur, Kerala
What’s special: Visit the nearby lighthouse (not directly accessible from the beach) for amazing views.
Things to do: Shop at the nearby Kannur market, enjoy a long walk, and hike the cliffside for uninterrupted views.
Nearby beach resorts: Blue Nile Beach Resort, Asokam Beach Resort, and Mascot Beach Resort.
How to reach
By air: Kannur Airport is approximately 29 km away.
By train: Kannur Railway Station is approximately 2 km away.
Book your stay at Asokam Beach Resort via Booking.com
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Bekal Beach, Kasaragod
Home to the famed and impeccably maintained Bekal Fort, Bekal Beach is an unsullied stretch of coastline that houses plenty of thrilling places to explore, from caves to backwaters to cliffs. While visitors might find the sea too rough to go for a swim, the luxury resorts nearby can be the perfect place to sit and watch the sun go down. You can enjoy authentic Kerala cuisine at the beach shacks or a decadent global menu at one of the resorts.
Location: Kasaragod Road, Beside Bekal Fort Railway Station Dist, Bekal Fort Rd, Bekal, Kerala
What’s special: Bekal Fort has been a shooting location for many Indian movies, including Bombay and Madhuranombarakattu.
Things to do: Explore the Nityanand Ashram Caves, visit the Ananthpura Lake Temple, and enjoy a boat ride on the Valiyaparamba backwaters.
Nearby beach resorts: Malabar Ocean Front Resort and Spa, Kailani, and Avisa Beach House.
How to reach
By air: Mangalore Airport is approximately 67 km away.
By train: Kasargod Railway Station is approximately 12 km away.
Book your stay at Malabar Ocean Front Resort & Spa via Agoda.com
Cherai Beach, Ernakulam
Looking for a secluded beach for some much-needed ‘me time’? Cherai Beach in Ernakulam is the perfect place to spend a few hours. It is located on Vypeen Island, which can only be reached via ferry from Kochi. A great place to visit with family, Cherai Beach is well-known for its frequent dolphin sightings, breathtaking sunsets, swimming opportunities, and watersports. The beach also houses a children’s park, a few walkways, and verdant gardens with seating for visitors to enjoy the view from afar.
Location: Cherai Beach – Munambam Rd, Vypin Island, Kochi, Kerala
What’s special: Cherai Beach is one of the rare places where you can see the sea and the backwaters together.
Things to do: Enjoy speedboat rides, collect shells from the secluded parts of the beach, and go snorkelling.
Nearby beach resorts: Cherai Beach Resorts, The OneTree Beach Resort, and Ambadis Villas.
How to reach
By air: Cochin International Airport is approximately 27 km away.
By train: Ernakulam Junction is approximately 26 km away.
Book your stay at Cherai Beach Resorts via Booking.com
Beypore Beach, Kozhikode
One of the most unique beach destinations in Kerala, Beypore Beach is famous for its azure waters, and pristine sandy beaches, and as a shipbuilding centre where ‘Uru’, a traditional wooden ship, is still crafted. A renowned port, Beypore Beach is ideal for a stroll along the beach or on the Pulimoodu, a stone bridge or pier that lets you walk closer to the water.
Location: Beypore, Kozhikode, Kerala
What’s special: Kerala’s maiden floating bridge is located at Beypore Beach.
Things to do: Engage in thrilling watersports, try the local Kallumekaya (mussels) at the beach shacks, and walk to the lighthouse for scenic views.
Nearby beach resorts: Vythiri Wild Forest Resort, LA RÊVE The Beach Villa, and Kairali Resorts.
How to reach
By air: Calicut Airport is approximately 16 km away.
By train: Kozhikode Railway Station is approximately 10 km away.
Book your stay at LA RÊVE The Beach VillaOpens in new window via Booking.com
Thirumullavaram Beach, Kollam
One of the most popular beaches of Kerala, Thirumullavaram Beach in Kollam is home to crystal-clear azure blue waters, golden sands, coconut groves, and rocky outcrops. Ideal for long walks, especially in the mornings, the beach is also perfect for swimmers, thanks to the calm waters. The tranquil beach is also a major venue for the Karkidaka Vavu Bali rituals, held on a new moon night in honour of the ancestors.
Location: VHV3+JPJ, Thirumullavaram, Kollam, Kerala
What’s special: The beach is home to Nyarazhcha Para, a rocky formation that remains submerged underwater but becomes visible during low tides.
Things to do: Enjoy a picnic in a secluded spot, go for a peaceful swim, and explore Nyarazhcha Para.
Nearby beach resorts: Ashtamudi Villas, The Leela Ashtamudi, and All Season’s D’Fort Ayurvedic Resort.
How to reach
By air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is approximately 80 km away.
By train: Kollam Junction Railway Station is approximately 7 km away.
Book your stay at All Season’s D’Fort Ayurvedic Resort via Booking.com
(Feature image credit: keralatourism)
Related: Savour Sea, Sunshine And Coastal Cuisine At The Best Beach Restaurants In India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-What makes Kerala’s beaches special?
Kerala beaches are best known for being some of the cleanest in the country. These beaches are famed for their azure waters, coconut and palm groves, and white-golden sand.
-Is it safe to swim at Kerala’s beaches?
Not all beaches are safe for swimming in Kerala. For instance, while it is ok to swim at Bekal Beach, it is considered unsafe to swim at Bekal Beach.
-What activities can I enjoy at Kerala’s beaches?
You can enjoy swimming, watersports, boating, and beach games at Kerala beaches.
-Are Kerala’s beaches suitable for families?
Yes, Kerala’s beaches are suitable to bring your family along.
-When is the best time to visit Kerala beaches?
September to March is the best time to visit the beaches in Kerala.
-Are there any cultural attractions near Kerala beaches?
Some beaches of Kerala offer cultural attractions, such as heritage walks, festivals, and age-old rituals.
-What are the dining options at Kerala’s beaches?
Apart from the restaurants at nearby resorts and hotels, Kerala’s beaches are home to innumerable shacks and small eateries, where you can sample traditional dishes including seafood, vegetarian fare, and light snacks.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Esha Dasgupta
Senior Digital Writer - Growth, TravelEsha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked ..Read More
