Experience Travel Group
1-888-577-8452 020 7924 7133
Call

The Beaches of Kerala

Explore Further

Download Guide Get in Touch
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Contact Us
  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family Travel
  • Inspiration
    • Inspire me
    • Travel Soon
    • Plan Ahead
    • Month by month weather guide
    • Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Search
The Beaches of Kerala
ABTA
ATOL
  • Holidays in India
    • By Area
      • Rajasthan & the Golden Triangle
      • Southern India Holidays
      • North & Central India
      • Himalaya's & the East
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Ultimate Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Off The Beaten Track
      • Insight Holidays
      • Holidays with Beach
      • Family Holidays in India
  • Guide to India
    • Why choose India
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Info on India
    • Travelling Around India - FAQs
    • Overnight in India
    • India's Beaches & Islands
    • Tigers & Wildlife In India
    • Family Holidays in India
  • Regions of India
    • Golden Triangle
        Overview
      • Delhi
      • Agra
      • Jaipur
      • Ranthambore National Park
    • Rajasthan
        Overview
      • Jaisalmer
      • Jodhpur
      • Udaipur
      • Rural Rajasthan
    • Golden Temple & Shimla
        Overview
      • Amritsar
      • Shimla
    • Uttarakhand
        Overview
      • Rishikesh, Rajaji & Haridwar
      • Corbett National Park
    • Kolkata, Sikkim & North East
        Overview
      • Kolkata
      • Darjeeling
      • Gangtok
      • Kalimpong
      • Pelling
      • Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim
      • Sundarbans National Park
    • Goa
        Overview
      • Goa Beaches
      • Inland Goa
    • Kerala & The South
        Overview
      • Cochin
      • The Backwaters
      • Beaches of Kerala
      • Plantations
      • Wildlife & Birding
      • Thalassery
    • Varanasi, Lucknow & Madhya Pradesh
        Overview
      • Varanasi
      • Lucknow
      • Orchha
      • Maheshwar
      • Bhopal
      • Gwalior
      • Khajuraho
      • Panna National Park
      • Bandhavgarh National Park
      • Tadoba National Park
      • Satpura National Park
      • Pench National Park
      • Kanha National Park
    • Mumbai
    • Andaman Islands
    • Karnataka
        Overview
      • Bangalore
      • Coorg
      • Nagarhole National Park
      • Mysore
      • Bandipur National Park
      • Hampi
    • Hyderabad
    • Tamil Nadu
        Overview
      • Chennai
      • Mahabalipuram
      • Pondicherry
      • The Hill Regions
      • The Plains
      • Madurai
Experience Travel Group

KOVALAM

Without a doubt Kerala’s most developed tourist destination, Kovalam was once a tranquil fishing village, but today it is a busy beachside tourist base. When tourism got going in the area, there weren’t any clever building regulations in place to stop development from imposing on the natural surroundings and way of life. As a result, the most popular beaches are crowded, the hotels and restaurants stretch right up to the shore, and it’s not very clean in the most popular areas. But don’t write it off completely: there are still some fabulous hotels in the area and quieter corners. Additionally, Kovalam is conveniently close to Trivandrum airport, making it a good start or end point on any trip to Kerala and the rest of India.

  • Discover more
    • Overview
    • Cochin
    • The Backwaters
    • Beaches of Kerala
    • Plantations
    • Wildlife & Birding
    • Thalassery

Travelers are attracted to the shores of Kovalam due to the low tides and lovely shallow waters. The royal family also had a large hand in boosting tourism to the region, and Kovalam became frequented by elite and aristocratic European families. The Keralan government promoted it enthusiastically during the 1990’s and Lighthouse Beach became world-renowned.

Kovalam is all about relaxing on the beaches: heavily developed Lighthouse Beach to the south, Hawah Beach right next door, and the cleaner, more pleasant Samudra Beach to the north, lined with coconut palms. Water sports are popular, and wooden boat rides in traditional Indian catamarans are a highlight. Apart from the beaches, you can sample Kovalam specialties such as fried chicken in a spicy red Masala paste, or visit one of many upmarket beachside restaurants to sample seafood caught freshly that afternoon.

MARARIKULAM

Mararikulam in the Alappuzha district is known as a humble and beautiful fishing village, and happily, the laid-back vibe and way of life has been largely preserved over the years. Fishermen go out onto the waters off the Malabar Coast day after day while the women take care of the family and home. Mararikulam (also known as Marari) offers visitors an endless stretch of superb beaches lined with swaying palms. The coast’s unique ecosystem includes over 300 plant species, three turtle species, ten frog species, and close to 100 types of colourful butterflies.

Ecotourism is thriving in Mararikulam, where efforts to conserve the beach and surroundings have not gone unnoticed. The town was recognised in 2007 with the Skal International Ecotourism award. This is not a bustling tourist centre, rather this virgin territory is where you’ll find Keralan hospitality and small town charm. Even the most recent addition of beachside hotels has not ruined Marari’s sleepy feel, because local regulations ensure that they’re low rise, discreet, and blend in with the lovely natural surroundings. Come to Marari for space, nature, and silence. If you’re lucky enough to meet the local “Chaiwala”, he’ll serve you a village tea with a traditional Marari pouring style.

NEELESWARAM 

A small and quaint rural village in Kerala’s Ernakulam region, Neeleswaram is not a typical tourist hot spot, rather, it is a quiet place to celebrate religion, culture, river life, and nature. Nestled in the foothills of the western ghats, it is bordered by the Periyar river to the south and surrounded by rubber plantations. Neeleswaram is in close proximity to Kottappuram along the river, which is the access point for travel by boat through the Kasaragod backwaters. Bekal is only an hour away.

Neeleswaram is proud of its beautiful sacred groves, or Kavus. These picturesque forest retreats are cool, verdant, and rich with flora and fauna. So valued are the Kavus for culture and recreation in Neeleswaram, the government has taken measures to protect the rare and precious turtles, birds, bats, and rich medicinal plants that inhabit them.

Here, colourful cultural festivals are frequently celebrated with song, dance, and bright traditional clothing, and the residents perform Theyyam, a ritualistic art form. The most well known festivals are the Pooram and Kalasam festivals. In the town itself, you’ll find many lovely temples, an old palace that now functions as a thriving folklore centre, a weaving street, and old market stalls.
Close by, Thaikadapuram offers beautiful blue waters and sandy beaches but without the throngs of people and hassle that comes with the more popular Keralan beaches. The area is home to the Olive Ridley turtle, a tiny and rare Indian species.

Start your journey

Each journey with ETG is different. Let us know your needs, hopes and fears, and our friendly travel team will help you discover your ideal holiday.

Get in Touch

Call us 020 7924 7133

The ETG Newsletter

Your fantastic fortnightly round-up of everything new and newsworthy in travel. Expect the latest experiences, hotels and advice from our travel experts - not to mention exclusive special offers

Sign up Here

India Travel Blog

Get in Touch
How it works
  • Why choose us?
  • Booking with confidence
  • How much does it cost?
  • Trip planning process
  • Financial protection
  • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
  • Working with in-country partners
  • My Booking
  • Contact Us
About Us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Reviews
  • Our Promise
  • Our Press
  • Contact
  • Jobs
Useful
  • Your Protection
  • Travel Insurance
  • Our Rating System
  • Exclusive Signature Experiences
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Website T&C's of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Package Travel Regulations
  • Belgrade Office
  • Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Travel Advice
  • Site Search
  • Covid-19
Get Social

facebook.com/experiencetravel twitter.com/ExpTrav instagram.com/experiencetravelgroup

  • Visit us on Facebook
  • View @ExpTrav Twitter Feed
  • Visit our Travel Blog
  • Follow our Instagram page
  • Newsletter
  • Book Club

© Experience Travel
Registered in England, Company No. 5071391 | ABTA Member | 9324 ATOL Protected
Site by Livingstone Creative

Experience Travel Group

020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
      • The Maldives
      • India
      • Bhutan
    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Malaysia
      • Borneo
      • Indochina
    • Middle East
      • Oman
  • Holidays in India
    • By Area
      • Rajasthan & the Golden Triangle
      • Southern India Holidays
      • North & Central India
      • Himalaya's & the East
    • By Theme
      • Classic Holidays
      • Ultimate Holidays
      • Wildlife Holidays
      • Off The Beaten Track
      • Insight Holidays
      • Holidays with Beach
      • Family Holidays in India
  • Guide to India
    • Why choose India
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
    • Experiences inspiration
    • Free Country Guide Download
  • Country Info
    • Travelling Around India - FAQs
    • Overnight in India
    • India's Beaches & Islands
    • Tigers & Wildlife In India
    • Family Holidays in India
  • Regions of India
    • Golden Triangle
      • Delhi
      • Agra
      • Jaipur
      • Ranthambore National Park
    • Rajasthan
      • Jaisalmer
      • Jodhpur
      • Udaipur
      • Rural Rajasthan
    • Golden Temple & Shimla
      • Amritsar
      • Shimla
    • Uttarakhand
      • Rishikesh, Rajaji & Haridwar
      • Corbett National Park
    • Kolkata, Sikkim & North East
      • Kolkata
      • Darjeeling
      • Gangtok
      • Kalimpong
      • Pelling
      • Off-The-Beaten-Track Sikkim
      • Sundarbans National Park
    • Goa
      • Goa Beaches
      • Inland Goa
    • Kerala & The South
      • Cochin
      • The Backwaters
      • Beaches of Kerala
      • Plantations
      • Wildlife & Birding
      • Thalassery
    • Varanasi, Lucknow & Madhya Pradesh
      • Varanasi
      • Lucknow
      • Orchha
      • Maheshwar
      • Bhopal
      • Gwalior
      • Khajuraho
      • Panna National Park
      • Bandhavgarh National Park
      • Tadoba National Park
      • Satpura National Park
      • Pench National Park
      • Kanha National Park
    • Mumbai
    • Andaman Islands
    • Karnataka
      • Bangalore
      • Coorg
      • Nagarhole National Park
      • Mysore
      • Bandipur National Park
      • Hampi
    • Hyderabad
    • Tamil Nadu
      • Chennai
      • Mahabalipuram
      • Pondicherry
      • The Hill Regions
      • The Plains
      • Madurai
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Our Reviews
    • Our Press
    • Our brochure
    • Our Blog
  • How it works
    • Why choose us?
    • Booking with confidence
    • How much does it cost?
    • Trip planning process
    • Financial protection
    • What happens if something goes wrong on my holiday?
    • Working with in-country partners
    • My Booking
    • Contact Us
  • Holiday Types
    • The Revitalise Collection
    • Immersive Escapes
    • Honeymoons
    • Family Travel
  • Inspiration
    • Inspire me
    • Travel Soon
    • Plan Ahead
    • Month by month weather guide
    • Free Country Guides
  • Sustainability
    • Travel Better
    • Our Counter-Carbon Pledge
    • One bottle at a time
    • Building a Sustainable Future
    • Giving Back
  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • My Booking
  • Brochure
  • Blog