Kovalam Beach - Kerala - കോവളം ബീച്ച്

Co-ordinates 8.398953, 76.972983 State Kerala Nearby Stations Trivandrum Nearby Places Kovalam, Trivandrum Wikipedia Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kovalam_Beach Other Langauge Names Hindi: कोवलम बीच - केरल Malayalam: കോവളം ബീച്ച്

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Kovalam, meaning "a groove of coconut trees," is just 10 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam beach is the most famous South Indian beach. Mainly there are two beaches in Kovalam along with many private beaches. Eve's beach is a semi-circular one, well known for its secluded location and its relatively good beach area. Another famous beach is that of Lighthouse beach where a lighthouse situates, which belong to the British period. Apart from the beach holidays Kovalam offers Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, Yoga (Indian way of meditation) etc.

Thiruvananthapuram,the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle.But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam andKovalam Beach, Kerala Travel visit the city.Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery,the Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Ponmudi hill station etc.SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium,is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.To know more about the crafts on sale here see Treasure Chest from the Archives dated 14 January '99 to 15 July '99.

One of the most popular beaches in Trivandrum, Kovalam beach is situated at a distance of 16 kilometers to the south of Trivandrum city. The natural beauty of this beautiful beach is what attracts people from far and wide to come here. It takes an hour from Trivandrum to reach this scenic beach, which is famous for its beach resorts. The Kovalam beach in Kerala offers the best of facilities to its visitors like sunbathing, swimming, Ayurvedic massages and plenty of other options. Check out the Thiruvananthapuram Kovalam beach and come here to recharge your energy levels and feel refreshed once again.

The beach offers many facilities for keeping tourists amused. Apart from sunbathing and swimming, the beach is ideal to take long walks and watch the magical sunset while the warm water softly laps at your feet. The fishermen in the beach offer to take you out in the sea while they go out to claim their catch for the day. Sail with them during sunrise and come back as the sun sets, painting the horizon a beautiful shade of ochre.

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 tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has developed Kovalam as an integrated seaside resort.The beach complex includes the Ashoka Beach Resort (owned by ITDC),a string of budget cottages,Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres etc.

History Of Popularity

The European guests of the then Travancore kingdom discovered the potentiality of Kovalam as a tourist destination in the 1930s. But the real fame as an ideal beach resort was won later in the early Seventies with arrivals of the masses of 'Hippys'. It was a debut of the transformation of just a casual fishing village of Kerala into one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. Now some foreign companies are bringing chartered tourists in a large number to Kovalam apart from the usual travelers, most of them are repeating travelers.

Vicinity

The holy city of Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram City is located just sixteen kilometers north of Kovalam. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the major landmark of the city. Though non-Hindus are not entitled to enter inside the temple one can visit the premises, which is an architectural marvel. Puthan malika or Horse Palace is a wooden palace, situated very near to the Temple. The belongings of the Royal Family and the very construction of the palace make the visitors amazing. The Chalai Market is a big market just meters away to the temple is a fine example of the typical market of Kerala. The Napier Museum is a building in Indo-Saracenic Style, situated just 3 km away is yet another site to be visited.

Another important site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the Southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state is 90 km East of Kovalam, is the place where three oceans meet together. A visit to Vivekananda Rock located exactly on the sea is worth full. Kanyakumari is famous for sunrise and sun set watching. Padmanabhapuram palace, the second largest wooden palace in Asia is on the way to Kanyakumari, which is a major center of tourist attraction.

Activities

Apart from the usual sunbath and surfing, many marine activities are possible at Kovalam. The local fishermen provide sunrise and sun set cruises in fishing boats. The Catamaran cruises, on the country raft is very popular here. Very recently an innovative tour operating company of Trivandrum has introduced a new package for marine Angling for deep-sea fishing. This new project is concentrated near Vizhinjam fishing harbor, just 4 km away east of Kovalam beach. Surfboards and boogie boards can also be hired on the beach.

At Kovalam many hotels and resorts offers the Ayurvedic massage and treatment. Yoga (Indian way of meditation) centers are also plenty in Kovalam. Some theatres perform the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu.

List Of Festivals

The village temples of Kovalam conduct festivals during the months of January, February and March.

Tradition And Dress Code

Nudity is strictly prohibited in Kovalam as any other parts of India. Topless parade of ladies is also banned here. To suit to the local dress code Lungi is available in all shops.

Shopping

The shops of Kovalam offer an array of handicraft items made of wood, seashell and so on. The statues made of teak wood and Rose wood is popular here. For an elaborate shopping Trivandrum city is ideal.

You can go shopping in Kovalam and buy a number of items like handicrafts and spices. Rose wood and teak wood statues are popular at Kovalam beach. There are a number of shopping places lined across the beach.

Other Facilities

Foreign money exchanging facilities are available in all the major hotels and in some authorized centers in Kovalam. A post office is operating at Kovalam from 9:30 am. to 5:00 pm. STD, ISD, Fax, Internet are also available at Kovalam. Many travel agencies are also there in Kovalam.

Security Precautions

Tap water is not advisable for drinking instead mineral water is available in bottles. Though lifeguards are vigilant, while swimming avoid the areas separated between flags.

Do's And Don'ts

Possession and consumption of illegal drugs are legally prohibited.

The tourist arrival starts at the end of September which lasts till the end of March. The peak season is between mid-December till mid- January. In winter the average temperature is 30 - 32 degree Celsius whereas the summer temperature is 30- 35 degree Celsius. The monsoon starts at the beginning of June, which lasts till the beginning of August. The second turn of monsoon starts at the end of October for the next two weeks.

Weather and the Best Season to visit

The climate is mainly Tropical. The best season to visit would be from February to May and October to January.
Kovalam is a beautiful tourist spot and tourists flock all year long but would advise not to visit during the Monsoon which starts from June to October. The sea is high and the beaches will be found drowned in the high sea.

Kovalam beach is located at sixteen kilometers south of Trivandrum city, the capital city of South Indian state Kerala. A drive of hardly half an hour from Trivandrum is enough to reach at the celebrated Kovalam beaches. Kovalam Beach located 10 Km from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, consists of three continuous crescent-shaped beaches.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, 16 km away to Kovalam. Many International Airlines are operating flights to and from here. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways are operating domestic flights. There are direct flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

By Rail

Trivandrum Central Railway Station is the nearest railway station. From here trains are available to all major parts of India. There are direct trains to all the main towns in kerala as well as the major cities in india. The railway station of Trivandrum/ Thiruvananthapuram is at a distance of around 16 kilometers.

By Road

well connected to all towns & cities. 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.

Accommodation

Kovalam offers excellent accommodation ranging from budget to top class hotels. The only five star hotels in Kovalam is Ashok Beach Resort run by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation. Some of the heritage resorts like Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram etc offering more ethnic accommodation. Home stay facilities are also available at Kovalam. In the peak season most of the people are staying at Trivandrum city also. The hill resort, Ponmudi is located 60 km away from Thiruvananthapuram city. The resort is famous for its tea plantations and jungle streams.

The Leela Kempinski - Kovalam Beach, The Travancore Heritage, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Kadaloram Beach Resort, Manaltheeram, Hotel Samudra(KTDC), Hotel Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Resort, Taj Green Cove Resort, Abad Palm Shore Beach Resort

The three beaches are called Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach. All the three beaches have clear sandy expanses and are backed by waving palm trees. A cool sea breeze blows in from the Arabian Sea and the rhythmic waves roll onto the beach, to the delight of paddlers and swimmers. Kovalam is a natural bay on the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala and with its blue waters, white sand and green coconut trees looks like a picture postcard image of a tropical paradise. Enjoy a tropical beach holiday on Kovalam Beach with Kerala Backwater. It is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southern most beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented. Earlier this beach was an anglers' paradise. This is an ideal place for a sunbath. Tourists can also experience the typical Kerala massage a few kilometers away along the beaches. Marine activities are also possible here.The local fishermen provide sunrise and sunset cruises in fishing boats. The Catamaran cruises, on the country raft is very popular here. The main beaches at Kovalam i.e. Eve's beach and Light House beach are altogether span over 4 kilometers. It takes just 20 minute walk from Light House beach to Eve' beach.

Lighthouse Beach is the most popular among the three beaches at Kovalam Kerala. There is a lighthouse located on a promontory at the south end of the beach from where you can see a breathtaking view of the sea and the nearby Vizhinjam Mosque. Hawah Beach is used by local fishermen to moor their boats. You can see the timeless routine of local fishermen as they set out to sea and bring home their catch on Hawah Beach in Kovalam, while on Kerala Beach Tours with Kerala Backwater.

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.

Samudra Beach is the quietest and is ideal for relaxing and sunbathing. Kovalam Beach is very popular with both Indian and international tourists. In some areas the tide is strong and swimmers need to be cautious. Lifeguards are present on the beach. December to March is the best time to visit Kovalam Beach. Thiruvananthapuram international airport about 14 km away, is the nearest airport to Kovalam. Enjoy a tropical holiday on beautiful Kovalam Beach with Kerala Backwater.

The Kovalam beach is divided into two main beaches besides the many other private beaches. They are known as Eve's beach and Lighthouse beach. The Eve's beach is a semi circular beach and is a secluded spot lined with palm trees. The Lighthouse beach has a famous lighthouse that has been fighting the tempests since the British rule.

Private Beaches

Among innumerable beach holiday resorts Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Coconut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam.