The Beaches of Kerala Holidays - Experience Travel Group

Kerala’s coastline offers a trio of contrasting experiences.

Kovalam is the original beach resort – busy and built-up in parts, but handy for Trivandrum airport and still home to good hotels and calm swimming waters. Further north, Mararikulam (Marari) remains a low-key fishing village with wide, tranquil beaches and a thriving eco-conscious spirit. Quietest of all, Neeleswaram sits inland amid rubber plantations and sacred groves, where festivals and nature intertwine. Each offers a different window into life on Kerala’s coast – from lively to laid-back and truly local.

Kovalam still draws visitors to its three main beaches: bustling Lighthouse, Hawah with its surf, and Samudra, the calmest and cleanest of the trio. Expect seafood shacks, water sports, and a lively mix of travellers. While it’s no longer undiscovered, there’s convenience in its location and a few gems tucked away from the crowds.

Mararikulam has embraced ecotourism with quiet dignity. Local regulations keep buildings low-rise and discreet, helping the coastline retain its natural beauty. Life moves slowly here: fishermen cast nets at dawn, butterflies drift past palms, and the only schedule worth keeping is the tide.

Neeleswaram is ideal for those seeking culture and quiet in equal measure. Sacred groves (Kavus) shelter medicinal plants and rare species, while festivals like Pooram bring colour and song to the village. The nearby backwaters of Kasaragod and the beaches at Thaikadapuram offer tranquil escapes just a short ride away.