One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian sea coast, Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the World. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub. Cochin offers a rich collection of South Indian handicrafts and aromatic spices for sale. Apart from the local cuisine which is strong on rice, coconut and fish one can taste variety of sea food also.

A leisurely walk through the lanes of the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi Beach.

An obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India, Kochi has an eventful and colourful history. The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British.

The result of these cultural interfaces is seen in the remains of the Indo-European architecture in Fort Kochi. Cochin Carnival on the New Year eve is a colourful festival not to be missed at the beach site.

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Vizhinjam is 2 km. away from Kovalam. Europeans, Portuguese and Dutch had commercial ties with the local kings during the pre-colonial days. Ruins of rock-cut temples have been found, substantiating the port town's centuries-old heritage.

Today, it offers nothing but a slice of Kerala's coastal life: fishing boats jostling for space; wiry fishermen hastily repairing fishing net. Petty altercations among fishermen over the price of days catch perfectly blends with rumblings of bellowing waves. Come dusk, shore would be reverberating with the heehaw of fishermen pushing fishing boats to the sea.

Bekal is the best preserved fort in Kerala, offers a panoramic view of palm fringed beach on both sides. The hill slopes down from the fort to rugged rocks before plunging into the frothy sea. A tour of the fort is a must for it will take you back to the days when rival forces fought to take control of the fort, which enjoyed a vantage position on the Western coast. A Naval academy is nearing completion at Ezhimala, in Kannur near Bekal.

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There are many fantastic beaches in India, and Kovalam is among those beaches beside Goa. Kovalam is southwest of India and is about 10 K.M south of Thiruvananthapuram which is the capital of Kerala. It is the only beach resort of kerala and is very popular with Indian as well as International Tourist. Kovalam consist of many beaches but the most important and the beautiful beach is the Lighthouse beach where most of the tourist spend their time. It also offers a spectacular view across to Vizhindam mosque. 

The coast is at many places lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs. Or you can crest the waves on logs of lashed woods on catamarans.

From Kovalam, you can go for a backwater cruise to the beautiful countryside of Kerala paddling country boats, enjoying its lush greenery. A few hotels offer houseboats, country boats and catamarans for the tourists at reasonable rates. Soma Houseboats, operated by Somatheeram Beach Resorts Group offers houseboats with many amenities including sit-outs, bedrooms and private baths. Catamarans and country boats are also offered by many hotels. You can also rent surfboards and boogie boards from local young men.

The unforgettably marvellous image of Kovalam is that of the coconut-palms-lined high rock promontory that cuddles the calm and wide expanse of the blue waters. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost one, the Light House Beach, is marked by a prominent red-and-white striped lighthouse and is the most popular of the three. The Ashok Beach Resort tops the northern-most headland. A 15-minute walk separates the two beaches. Between the two lies the Eve’s Beach.

Kovalam is a natural bay ideal for kayaking, swimming, surfing and skiing. One can swim in the shallow blue water and have a sunbath in the exotic tropical sun can adorn you with a good suntan

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Less than one hour and twenty minute drive from Cochin and one hour from Kumarakom, 160 kms from Trivandrum is beautiful stretch of beach called Marari, pronounced as ma-ra-ri, originates from Mararikulam, one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coastline.
The main attractions here are the culture of its people and the mood of the sea.

Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best. Not that you need to spend the whole of your holiday in seclusion, you couldn't be in a better location for exploring the marvellous backwaters, where the tranquility, the stunning scenery and the feeling of being transported back in time, make it a superbly relaxing and inspiring experience.

For a more upbeat day, a visit to Cochin is a must. Being one of the most important trade centres on the " Spice Coast " this is the place to do a spot of shopping and who knows you could actually find a genuine antique in one of the many shops in Jew Town.

After an active day of shopping, back to Marari simply sit and relax, watch the sun go down over the horizon and get ready for a leisurely dinner at the resort. After dinner you can rediscover the art of conversation with your fellow holidaymakers. have a relaxing drink at the bat or just enjoy a quite moment on your veranda reflecting on the day's events. Until now Marari has been one of India's best kept secrets.

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One of the must visit places of Ernakulam is the Cherai Beach. Bordering the nearby Vypeen Island,which is also an ideal location for swimming and the Bolghatty Island,famous for its palace of the same name attracts a considerable number of tourists every year. The Bolghatty Palace of the island was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Now the palace has been converted to a hotel by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. It also has a small gold course and few special honeymoon cottages.

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Varkala Beach

Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.

The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala Beach. High cliffs border the excellent beach.

Varkala is a beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. This beach of Kerala is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.

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Located 8 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city, the Shankhumugham Beach is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village.

An indoor recreation club, the 'Matsya Kanyaka', a gigantic 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here. The long stretch of clean sand is located near the airport. The water here, however, is not suitable for bathing.

Shankhumugham Beach is a popular city beach situated near to the airport. This beach provides good facilities like an indoor recreation club, children's traffic training park and a star shaped restaurant.

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Vizhinjam is 2 km. away from Kovalam. Europeans, Portuguese and Dutch had commercial ties with the local kings during the pre-colonial days. Ruins of rock-cut temples have been found, substantiating the port town's centuries-old heritage.

Today, it offers nothing but a slice of Kerala's coastal life: fishing boats jostling for space; wiry fishermen hastily repairing fishing net. Petty altercations among fishermen over the price of days catch perfectly blends with rumblings of bellowing waves. Come dusk, shore would be reverberating with the heehaw of fishermen pushing fishing boats to the sea.

Vizhinjam was once a commercial centre for the Europeans, Portuguese and Dutch who had trade ties with the local kings. The attractions at Vizhinjam are the ruins of rock-cut temples. The beach offers everything that is associated with seaside destinations of Kerala. There are fishing boats jostling for space, fishermen repairing their fishing nets and women haggling over the price of the day's catch. All around is the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. It is a pleasant sight to see fishermen pushing their boats into the sea at dusk.

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The beach, 16 km from Kozhikode, stranded on the shore of history with the landing of Vasco Da Gama on 27th of May, 1498.

Even after 500 years of the epoch-making mooring of the maverick navigator, Kappad remains calm, as if cataclysmic changes had just scrubbed around this spot. The beach, strewn with country fishing boats, is still in pristine beauty. The shore, bereft of concrete monstrosities, is in perfect silence ever since Gama left for other destinations.

This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the May 27,1498 with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the rock that protrudes into the sea.

On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old. To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters. Unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offers a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha river brings you to the beach.

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The Payyambalam beach located near the Kannur town is one of the beautiful beaches in the state of Kerala. This beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best locale for a relaxed evening.

Quiet, secluded, beautiful, this enchanting sandy beach bordering Kannur is famous as the mortal remains of Swadeshabimani Ramakrishna Pillai, A.K. Gopalan, Pamban Madavan and K.G. Marar are laid to rest near this resort.

The Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.

Nearby is Ezhimala, the capital of the ancient Mooshika kings, considered to be an ancient historical site. It is a conspicuous, isolated cluster of hills, forming a promontory.

A flourishing seaport and centre of trade in ancient Kerala, it was one of the major battle fields of the Chola-Chera war of the 11th century.

There is a local belief that Lord Buddha had visited Ezhimala. An old mosque believed to contain the mortal remains of Shaikh Abdul Latif, a Muslim reformist is also located here.

The hill is noted for rare medicinal herbs. Bordered by sea on three sides, Ezhimala is set to occupy a prominent place in the Naval history of the country, consequent to the proposal for commissioning the Naval Academy here

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With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. A land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

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Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland.A striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how,here cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to ten feet below the sea level.For this purpose extensive land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes built around it.A leisurely cruise along the canals here is a memorable experience.

Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Kerala’s network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life.

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.

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Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River in Kozhikode district, 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.

The Beypore Beach has a bridge built nearly 2 kms into the sea. It is actually made up of huge stones piled together for nearly 2 kms making a pathway into the sea.

Beypore one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala, was an important trade and maritime centre.The beach, around 10 km south of Kozhikode town, was much sought after by merchants from western Asia for its ship building industry. The boat building yard is famous for the construction of the Uru (the Arabian trading vessel), which boasts a tradition of over1500 years.

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Dharmadam Island is a beautiful beach, located 17 kms 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. It is 100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam.

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Nestled atop a cluster of hills at an altitude of 286m is situated Ezhimala, 55 kms from Kannur. Carved Stone Pillars, an ancient Burial chamber and an ancient Cave can be seen at the foot of the hills. The Hills are noted for rare medicinal herbs. Furthur uphill is an ancient Mosque.

Fascinating Sculptured stone pillars are scattered all over the place. Bordered by the sea on three sides, Ezhimala Beach is poised to occupy a significant niche on the naval history of India when one of the largest naval academies is commissioned here. A naval academy is being developed here in Ezhimala.

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Moppila bay, the famous fishing harbour is situated near the St.Angelo's Fort. The beach is a natural and now a modernised fishing harbour built with assistance under the Indo Norwegian pact.

The remnants of the temple & fort are still seen in Moppila bay. The bay was famous during the Kolathiri's regime as a commercial harbour that linked Kolathunadu with Lakshadweep and foreign countries, in imports.

A sea wall projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and inland water. If the weather is favourable a ride in the sea will be a memorable experience.

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Muzhappilangad, one of the longest beaches in Kerala is located 15 kms south of Kannur. The long beach is the only drive-in beach in India.

Still untouched, this long, clean beach protected by the black rocks from the deep currents, make its shallow water a swimmer's paradise.

One can drive down the entire length of 4 kms from Kannur to Tellicherry. The enchanting ambience of the beautiful Muzhappilangad beach invites one to swim, sunbathe, or just laze around.

From Muzhappilangad, one can view the Dharmadam Island or the Green Island. A remarkable conjunction of beach and island is just across the Anjarakkandy River

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The little island of Pathiramanal, on the Backwaters is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the land.

This island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom and is accessible by boat only. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam Lake.

The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. The mainland Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers criss-crossing it and is a district of immense natural beauty.

According to mythology, a young brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating this enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of night).

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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 AD.

About 3 km south of Tanur town is Keraladeshpuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and believed to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala.

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Located 5 kms from Kollam town is the Thangassery Beach, which is a sea side village of historic importance. The rural settlement has the ruins of an old Portuguese Fort and churches built in the 18th century. The 144 feet high Thangaserry Lighthouse is open to visitors from 1530-1730 hours every day.

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Roughly 6km north of Kollam, Thirumullavaram is a beautiful beach that's well linked by road and with good facilities. This beautiful beach filled with coconut palms is ideal for an early morning walk as one can see fishermen gliding into the sea for the days catch. The beach has good bathing facilities.

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