The coastline of Kerala has been dotted with trading ports for several thousand years. Today Cochin is the most important in terms of commerce and trade. It is endowed with a natural harbour and is claimed to be the “Queen of Arabian sea “. It has a maritime history that began in the remote past. Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese followed the sea routes to Cochin. The familiar sight here in Fort Cochin is, fishermen using nets with Chinese contraptions. These nets (called cheenavala in Malayalam) can be found at the entrance of the harbour along the backwaters. There are large nets, which hang from bamboo or teak posts and are used by the local fishermen to catch fish attracted by the lights suspended above the net. Cochin has an active fishing industry. Most of India’s finest beaches are in Kerala. For virtually its entire 900 km length, the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. The palm-lined beaches of Kerala are renowned for the gentle surf and azure blue waters. To this add a delectable seafood cuisine, a smiling sun and friendly people to make an unforgettable holiday. Each year greater numbers of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm fringed beaches.

For the visitors this incredible coastline offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The famous coast at Kovalam is one of the best beaches in India and is situated thirteen kilometres south of Trivandrum. It becomes a resort of international fame is a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930's Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as the lighthouse beach, is the most popular of the three. About 14 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and is a beautiful beach to relax. Till now it remains strangely unspoiled and lovely. This peaceful health resort is endowed with a beauty of its own. Small palm-fringed bays separated by rocky headlands, pale sands gentle surf and lush green lawns compel the visitor to over stay. To Kovalam it’s a joy drive from Trivandrum through thick palm groves. Kovalam is clean and atmosphere relaxed. The surf is quite gentle and warm and except for a stormy period during the June-August monsoon season, is inviting the year around. The local villagers are friendly and hospitable.


Shanghumugham is 08 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. This is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram airport and Veli tourist village. An indoor recreation club, the Matsya Kanyaka and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here.

Varkala 41 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city is a seaside resort with mineral water springs on the beach. The sand stone cliffs at Varkala are lovely. Varkala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. A quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam Beach in Varkala is known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the nature care centre are the two main attractions here.

Marari Beach: Right in the heart of the "spice coast" just an hour from Cochin and even less to Alleppey (also Known as Alappuzha) is the most fabulous stretch of soft sandy beach fringed with palm, an idyllic retreat for those who want to "get away from it all". Marari originates from "Mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where 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. Completely new to the holidaymaker, Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience to local charm and traditional Kerala hospitality at its best.

Kappad 16 kms from Kozhikode (Calicut) this is the historic beach where Vasco-da-Gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. A monument on the beach commemorates this historic event. The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old.The northern stretches at Kappad and Badagara are particularly lovely.