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Lighthouse
Beach
Lighthouse beach is beautifully
set with palm trees dotted on the headlands to the south, which
hosts the lighthouse, and north where a 20-40 m stretch of fine
gold and black sand arches around the bay.
Rockholm Beach
You
can reach Rockholm beach either via a track leading down from the
Rockholm Hotel (and Palmshore Hotel),or alternatively by walking
southwards from Lighthouse Beach over the headland on which the
lighthouse stands. Even swimming can be done.
Bekal Beach
Bekal Beach is situated at the
northern tip of Kerala, 79 km from Kannur, Bekal is a beach destination
of the future. It has long palm-fringed beaches and a rocky headland
topped by the huge Bekal fort.
The
old-fashioned little town of Kasargode, 153km north of Kozhikode,
near the Karnataka border, is principally a fishing community. Flanked
on two sides by long, ravishingly beautiful palm fringed beaches,
the Bekal Fort stands proud on a promontory. This is one of the
largest forts in Kerala and has been under the control of various
powers including Vijayanagar, Tipu Sultan and the British. The forts
commanding position, with views across the bays to the north and
the south are breath-taking.
Samudra Beach
The name Samudra Beach is because
it is dominated by the KTDC'd excellent Hotel Samudra. This beach
is not private but, a 15 min walk or Rs 50 ride northwards from
Lighthouse Beach, it is virtually free of pestering beach sellers.
The first little bay is edged by small rocky promontories.
Ashoka Beach
Ashoka Beach is a private beach
run by the ITDC for guests at the Ashoka Hotel. It is quiet and
secluded and just a 5 min walk from the hotel. Most people prefer
to use the excellent swimming pool in the hotel grounds.
Kappad
Kappad beach is at a short walk
on the Korapuzha river. This is a place where Vasco-da-Gama set
foot 500 years ago. It is situated 16 km away from Kozhikode. A
pillar with inscription "Vasco Da Gama landed here,kappakkadavau
in the year 1498" stands on the beach. The beach here is very calm
with a stretch of rocks projecting into the sea. The memorial pillar
is 4 km away from Thiruvangoor on the Calicut-Badagara route. Accommodation
is available at Kappad Beach Resort.
This
is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on 27 May, 1498
with 170 men in three vessels - a site which witnessed an event
that changed the course of Indian history.16 km away from Kozhikode
(Calicut), the pleasant, calm beach, locally known as Kappakadavu,
is studded with rocks and caressed by friendly waves.
Kovalam
On the Malabar coast along the
Kerala shore line is a small village, called Kovalam. This sleepy
town suddenly came on the tourist map when its fabulous beaches
were discovered. Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach
hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly
the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. The
palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promises a relaxed
stay.
Kovalam
is a famous beach, 16 km south of Thiruvananthapuram. It is most
popular in southern India. The main part of Kovalam consists of
two palm-fringed coves, separated from the beaches on either side
by rocky headlands. The southern headland is marked by a prominent
lighthouse. There are four main stretches of beach, each about 400
m long, with a rocky promontory. The southern beaches are much more
populated. Swimming is relatively safe during December to March.
The
crescent-shaped beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts.
The southern most beach, and the most popular, is the Lighthouse
Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view
of the Vizhinzam mosque. Photography is prohibited here. The middle
beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for
the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least
affected of all by the changing times.
Kovalam
is rapidly developing not only as a beach resort but is fast developing
as a Yoga and health center.One can have Ayurvedic massages and
oil baths or learn the intricacies and dynamics of Yoga and meditation
taught by experts. Kovalam can be reached by direct and regular
bus services from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses also link the place
from Ernakulam, Kanyakumari and Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Thiruvananthapuram
Airport and Railway head give services as per the requirements of
Kovalam.
Click here to know more about Kovalam Beach
Varkala
It is an popular pleasant beach
with mineral water springs and with a beach resort . The sea shore
is called `Papanasm' and hundreds of Hindu devotees perform 'Vavu
Bali' on new moon days of th Malayalam month of Karkidakam. Varkala
is 90 minutes away on the bus and a pleasant convenient place to
stop for a night or more or an afternoon when travelling between
Alappuzha or Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. Varkala is 54 km from
Thiruvananthapuram and 37 km from Kollam. The railway station is
3 km from the beach. High cliffs border the excellent beach. Mineral
water springs gushing out from these cliffs are well known for their
medicinal property.There is a nature cure centre adjacent to the
beach. Ancient Janardhana Swamy (Vishnu) temple is near.
Thirumullavaram
It is located about 6 km north
of Kollam, the beach here is very beautiful.It is a lovely clean
and calm beach. It is connected to Kollam town by bus.
Vypeen
and Gundu Island
Ferries
shuttle across the narrow strait from Fort Cochin to Vypeen Island.
The island has a lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, a good beach, and the
early 16th-century Palliport Fort. Gundu is the smallest island
in the habour and is close to Vypeen.
Cherai Beach
The beach at Cherai on Vypeen
Island is situated 18 km away from Vypeen. It is a very beautiful
and calm beach.
Alleppey
Beach
This
is a long sandy spectacular beach with dense palm groves, that are
so characteristic of Keralas landscape, at one end. One can cut
across the sea waves lashing the shore in passionate fury, or indulge
in the luxury of sitting on a sand dune and paddling your feet in
the waters. A towering lighthouse overlooks the beach as a symbol
of the past.
Veli Beach
Veli is anbeautiful beach with
an attractive beach resort on the coast, 9 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
It has a boating lake and a small backwaters with facilities for
water skiing, diving and boating. Motor boats, paddle boats, rowing
boats and ponies are available for hire. The ornamental park has
several modern sculptures and there is also a playground for children.
Buses go regularly from east Fort to Veli. Veli has a youth hostel
offering dormitory style accomodation.
Shanghumugham Beach
Shanghumugham
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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