Kovalam Beach

• Location- 16 km from Thriuvanathapuram

• Famous for- Three adjacent crescent beaches

• Places to visit- Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery ,Padmanbaswami Temple ,SMSM that is a state owned Handicrafts emporium

• Best time to visit- September to March (can be visited all through the year)

Kovalam beach Trivandrum with its verdant grove of palm trees is revered and recognized not only within the country but also beyond shores. It has continues to remain a famous haunt for tourists and especially European travelers. The endless canopy of coconut plantations in the region coupled with the rock cape and sand make this place a perfect sun, sand and wave destination. So much so that dotting travelers to these crescent beaches assert this place as the true paradise of the south.

The beach first received attention from the Maharani Regent of Travancore in the early 1920’s. However distinctive to the best beaches in Western India it was the hippies on their trails to Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka) in the 1970 that bought Kovalam to the limelight. After that there has been a continuous flow of foreigner’s visitors this distinctive Palm Beach destination.

Kovalam Beach is known for the three adjacent crescent beaches that include

• Lighthouse beach

• Hawa Beach

• Samundra Beach

Light house Beach- The southernmost part of Kovalam Beach is known as Lighthouse Beach. This beach is one of the most frequented of the stretches of the place. Referred to as Vizhinjam the lighthouse is perched on a cape. Towards sunset the lighthouse and its verdant patches around the cape against the canvas of the purple and sun setting sky similar to a painting offers wonderful experience that is enchanting and magical.

Hawa Beach- Eve’s beach referred to as Hawa Beach is the second beach in Kovalam. Towards the first watch of the dawn till about morning this beach is abuzz with fisher folks who are busy mending their nets and readying their boats to venture out into the open. It is wonderful sight of co-ordination teamwork. Once free from the beehive of fisher folk this place is as calm and peaceful as one can imagine till the hauling up of the catch.

Samundra Beach- There is rocky cape that separates Samundra beach from the southern end of the beach. This is one of the most peaceful sections of the Kovalam sea face. There are very few tourists and there is less buzz of activities minus the few fishermen who can be found with their nets and boats. On a parting note the sight of the waves hitting the rocky promontory and the silence of the environ is truly worth it

Things to Do- There are no shortage in terms of things to do at Kovalam Beach. For those who wish to get tanned and soak in the soothing waters of the sea there are facilities for sunbathing and swimming. However words of caution some areas are not allowed for swimming it is advisable to follow directions. Jellyfishes can also be at time dangerous. The purple ones however are harmless. In this part of the country the sun acts fast so much so that it takes a matter of just a few minutes for the coppery tan to line the skin. So be cautious against excessive tan. For those who are in a mood for rejuvenation and relaxation that is completely intended to pamper the senses there are special ayurvedic health services and body tonning massages provided by various health resorts in and around Kovalam. Lastly for those who have a raw nerve for adventure there is kayaking, water surfing and skiing. Apart from there are also motorboat rides available

Attractions- The main attraction is the number of tourist markets that sell handicraft, coral jewelry and clothes. These can be found spread around the water front. There are number of attractions within the city of Thrivanathapuram as well that includes

• Napier Museum

• Sri Chitra Art Gallery

• Padmanbaswami Temple

• SMSM that is a state owned Handicrafts emporium

Places to eat - The places to eat near Kovalam offer a confluence of both eastern and western dishes and cuisine, enough to calm those pangs of hunger.

• German Bakery is known for its excellent date shakes and banana pancakes and a number of bakery goods.

• Bethel is the best vegetarian food joint that serves delicious Keralite and India cuisine and also serves a medium selection of international and continental dishes that are equally tasty.

• Coconut Grove and Spice restaurant

• Fusion as the name itself suggests offers a fusion of western and eastern delicacies that are available.

• Suprabhtam (200 meters ) away from the lighthouse dishes the best Kerala cuisine

• Malabar café

• There are also a number of restaurants in Kovalam junction. The speciality of these restaurants and thattukadas as they are called is the Chicken fry that is frying of chicken marinated with red masala paste and chillies. Fried fish is also available.

How to reach

• By Air- Thriuvanathapuram International Airport which is at about 10 kilometers

• By Rail- Thriuvanathapuram Central which is at about 16 kilometers

• By Road- There are frequent bus services to Kovalam. In terms of local transport, there are taxis, tourist vans and auto rickshaws available.