Cherai Beach, located about 26 km from Ernakulam city, Kochi, is one of the most beautiful and clean beaches in Kerala, stretching about 15 kms, bordering Vypeen island, with backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy field.

When we visited the beach during the last week of December 2007, it was tourist week there. Many international tourists were also there, enjoying the programs organised by the government.

This beautiful beach is one of the best naturally gifted beaches of Kerala. This beach has the calm serene backwaters on the other side and the land is filled with coconut trees making it a precious gift of the Mother Nature. It is rightly called the "Princess of the Arabian Sea". This unspoilt beach is shallow and pacific. You can see a rare blend of beach and backwaters here. Dolphins are occasionally seen here.

A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby makes this place even more beautiful.

Luxury Hotels and Budget Hotels are available there to enjoy your stay in this beautiful place. In addition, ayurvedic treatments for a mersmerizing and revitalizing experience are also available in this beach, which is one of the most beautiful South Indian beaches.

Activities: Swimming,surfing and sunbathing

Other attractions: Close to Cherai village, some ancient historical monuments are there. Some of the important ones are the Pallipuram Fort, one of the first forts built by the Europeans in Kerala, and Kottayil Kovilakam. You can see four different religious buildings here- an ancient Jewish synagogue, a church, a temple and a mosque, all co-exist in peaceful communal harmony within the same compound.

Thangassery Beach is located 5 km far from Kollam town in kerala. It is a sea side village of historic importance. Tourist attraction near the beach is an old portugese fort and churches built in the 18th century which is in ruin stage now Here is another tourist attraction is thangassery lighthouse, 144 feet heights open to visitors every day.

How To Reach There :
The nearest airport is the thiruvananthapuram international and domestic airport, 76 km away from the city. The nearest railway station is kollam railway station which is connected to most indian cities.

Tanur Beach is locates is in Malapuram kerala. Tanur was one of the oldest portugese settlements. It is visited by St. Francis Xavier in 1546. Tanur beach is the small fishing town of tanur. The main attraction is in near of kanur is the keraladeshpuram temple, dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is the oldest temple of kerala.

How to Reach There:
To reach kanur is nearest airport is Kozhikode which is 36 km away from kanur. While the nearest railway station is also kozhikode or calicut.

Payyamblam beach is the beach of Kannur town. The well laid out garden and the massive landscaped sculpture of mother & child erected by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman makes it extremely captivating.

MOPPILA BAY :
This is situated near the St. Angelo’s Fort. A fishing harbour built with Indo Norvegian project assistance. If the weather is favourable a ride in the sea will be a memorable experience. The remnants of the temple & fort are still seen in Mopila bay.

Pathiramanal Beach is 14kms from Mahe. A long clean beach, its enchanting ambience invites you to swim. sunbathe or just lounge around. Black rocks protect Muzhappilangad from the currents from the deep, making its shallow water a swimmers paradise. Muzhappilangad is Kerala's only drive in beach which is about 5kms long. From Muzhappilangad you can see the Dharmadam island (Pacha Thuruth) just across the Arayakkandy river, a remarkable conjunction of beach and island.

Its around 15kms. South of Kannur and only 8 kms. From Thangassery. A long clean beach its enchanting ambience invites you to swim sunbathe or just lounge around. Its Kerala’s only drive-in beach, one could drive the entire length-4 kms.

Muzhappilangad is 14kms from Mahe. A long clean beach, its enchanting ambience invites you to swim. sunbathe or just lounge around. Black rocks protect Muzhappilangad from the currents from the deep, making its shallow water a swimmers paradise. Muzhappilangad is Kerala's only drive in beach which is about 5kms long. From Muzhappilangad you can see the Dharmadam island (Pacha Thuruth) just across the Arayakkandy river, a remarkable conjunction of beach and island.

Its around 15kms. South of Kannur and only 8 kms. From Thangassery. A long clean beach its enchanting ambience invites you to swim sunbathe or just lounge around. Its Kerala’s only drive-in beach, one could drive the entire length-4 kms.

Moppila Bay
This is a natural fishing harbour situated near St.. Angelo's Fort. A sea wall extending to a huge height, projecting from the fort separates the rough sea and inland water. Mechanised and country crafts can enter into the island from the sea and anchor safely.

A natral fishing harbour situated near the St. Angelo's Fort, Mopila Bay has got quite a modernised fishing harbour look, built with assistance under the Indo-Norwegian pact. The ruined fort and temple sites are still counted among the main attractions of this harbour site.

The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 M high). A Naval Academy is being developed here. Aqua-Tourism is one of the most important constituent of Kerala. Aqua-Tourism in Kerala can be broadly classified into three Zones of Kerala.

Exhimala is a picturesque site with a hilly backdrop at an altitude of 286m, situated 55-kms from Kannur. Some of the major attractions over here include carved Stone Pillars, an ancient Burial chamber and an ancient Cave that can be seen at the foot of the hills. This hilly region is also quite famous for its medicinal herbs.

A small island full of coconut palms and green bush extending to 5 acres. 100 meters away from the main land at Dharmadam. The island (private land) is a beautiful sight from the beach. Permission is required to enter into the island from its owners. It is located 15 kms away from Mahe.

Dharmadam Island
The Dharmadam Beach is 17 Km 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.

Fort Kochi Beach also known as kochi beach is the finest beach of kerala. It is located 12 Km far from kochi city in kerala. The main attraction of fort kochi beach is the historic fort that is the best example of indo- european architecture. It is an obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India.

A favourite haunt of Kochi, the beach at Fort Kochi is a tranquil experience at any time of the day. Do it alone or in the company of your loved ones, it offers the ideal ambiance to relax and to let your thoughts soar to new heights of creativity.

Beypore - Ancient Ship Building Centre
The old world charm of this ancient ship building centre near Calicut in north Kerala is enchanting. Here, the time stands still as the specialist craftsmen design and shape "Uru"s (traditional vessels). During the heydays of Beypore, the fame of Urus had spread far and wide and Arabs made a bee line to this coastal town.

Khalasis, who are the traditional shipbuilders here, are amazing with their ship building knowledge and craft. The client, often an Arab, gives the specifications and his needs.

No design is drawn, and the plan of the Uru is conceptualized wholly in the mind of the master craftsmen. And log by log, each component comes together like a giant jigsaw puzzle and the final product is truly breathtaking. And to think that nothing was planned on paper, but the whole designing and intricate measurements and calculations were done entirely in the mind is truly astounding. A fledging wood industry thrived in Beypore ship building activity. Now, past its prime, the wood industry is just a shadow of its former self. Still huge logs can be found floating down the river and is reminiscent of its glorious past. HOW TO REACH : By road : Beypore is well connected by road and is just 11 km from Calicut. By air : Calicut airport, is at Karipur and is 23 km from Calicut city centre.

Kumarakom, a small town in Kerala, on the banks of Vembanad Lake, is one of the most famous spots of tourists. The entire town is an archipelago of small islands floating in the glistening waters of Vembanad Lake. The mangrove forests, lush paddy fields and coconut groves add to the beauty of this small water world making it an idyllic sub-tropical paradise.

Attractions

Backwaters. It is one of the most visited backwater destinations of Kerala. Short and long backwater engines are available to make your stay a unique experience.

Another important attraction is the Bird Sanctuary, which is spread in an area of 14 acres. To enjoy the maximum of your trip, take a boat around the islands, especially during early in the morning to see rare and beautiful species of birds.

Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages.Here 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. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches.The tourists can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best.

Beach activities
The tourists can participate in various activities at Marari beach that includes cruises on the backwaters, visits to traditional coir-making units etc. They can indulge themsselves in lazing in the sun ,exciting water sports such as surfing or parasailing, or go swimming in the clear blue sea, or even playing a game of beach volleyball.

Major nearby attractions
Marari presents never-ending miles of enticing sandy beaches lined by palms, where one can experience the local charm . Another important place is Mararikulam which is the traditional coir-making units. The main attraction of Marari is the culture of its people and the mood of the sea.

Thirumullavaram Beach is located at 6 km north of kollam, kerala. Thirumullavaram beach is filled with coconut palms, ideal for early morning walks. You can see the fisherman venture into the sea for their catch of the day. Thirumullavaram beach is very well connected by road and offers good facilities.

How To Reach There :
The nearest airport is the thiruvananthapuram international and domestic airport, 76 km away from the city. The nearest railway station is kollam railway station which is connected to most indian cities.

An exciting place for picnics, the Veli Tourist Village is built near the Veli lagoon fringed with greenery and easily accessible by road. Veli is located 8 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. The village provides an excellent atmosphere for relaxing. A beautifully landscaped garden and facilities for swimming, boating, etc, on the placid waters of the lake attract hundreds of visitors everyday.

The village is borded by Veli lagoon and Arabian sea which makes it one of the picturesque location. The lagoon is separated from the sea by narrow sand bar. Besides water sports, am 18 acre waterfront park with floating bridge connects the village to the Shankhumukham beach and also there is a children's park around the floating bridge. The village is now open from 10 am to 8 pm.

Varkala Beach, situated 51 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is a very secluded beach, where you can have a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala.

This Beach is also called as Papanasam Beach, and it is an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. The devotees come here to perform “Vavubali”, a ritual performed for the ancestors souls to rest in peace, on the new moon day of the Malayalam month Karkidakam.

It is also believed that a dip in the holy beach will wash out one’s sins and purify the mind. There is another belief about this holy beach. The mineral springs near this beach are considered to have medicinal properties.

The beach is surrounded by high rocky cliffs and coconut groves. There are two main cliffs, the North and the South. The cliffs are steep and rugged and are made of red brown stone.

Viewing the Sunset from this Beach, over the Arabian Sea, is stunning with the sun dipping slowly down the horizon and the sky filled with red and orange colors.

Ayurvedic massage is also provided here.

Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, water sports, water sports such as Parasailing, Scuba diving, wind surfing etc.

Attractions: There are several smaller beaches further north with black volcanic sand, near the main beach. These beaches are serene and provide more privacy.

The famous Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and Hanuman, is located atop a hill here. It is a very old temple.

Sivagiri Mutt and the Samadhi of Sree Narayana Guru are also great attractions here.

Accommodation: Both luxury and budget accommodations are available here.

This beach is just 4 kms north of Kovalam and has a number of resorts jostling with the local fishing village for space and to accommodate the regular stream of tourists. It is also called Samudra Beach because it is dominated by the KTDC's excellent Hotel Samudra. This beach is not private but, just 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 and not very good for swimming.

Another stretch of beach along the same axis as Lighthouse Beach, Rockholm Beach is accessible 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. Swimming is possible.

This beach is beautifully set with palm trees dotting the headlands to the south, which is where the lighthouse is located, and north where a 20-40 m stretch of fine gold and black sand arches around the bay. Nothing much to do except perhaps go for a stroll or a swim, it's nice as beaches go, but there are better beaches than this.

Shanmugham Beach: This beautiful beach is located adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram Airport and Veli Tourist Village, in Kerala State, South India. It is a favorite haunt of sunset watchers. It is also a popular city beach. The beach has a long stretch of clean sand. This beach is very popular with locals. In the evenings they enjoy a visit here.

Attractions of the Beach

- Indoor recreation club,
- The 'Matsya Kanyaka', a gigantic 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid
- Children's traffic training park
- A star shaped restaurant.

Accommodations

There are many luxury and budget hotels available in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) to suit everyone's budget.

Reaching there

By Air: Thiruvananthapuram is the nearest airport.(8 kms)

By Rail: The city is well connected to the major cities.

By Road: Thiruvananthapuram has an excellent road network.