Beaches in South India

Kovalam Beach
Kovalam is located on the Malabar’s coast along the Kerala shore line is a small village. This sleepy town unexpectedly came on the tourist map when its fabulous beaches were discovered. Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India.

Merari Beach
Marari derives its names from Mararikulam, a small village in Kerala inhabited by the local fisherman's there. Life in this place hasn't changed much in the last many decades. Men here continue to go for fishing in the morning while the Ladies perform the necessary household cores.This small village is a host to numerous soft sand beaches that promises one a holiday that will relieve him from all worries and tensions amidst this beautiful place with vast expanse of land, water and swaying palm trees.

Varkala Beach
Varkala is a seaside resort and spa. It is also an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.The final resting place of the great social reformer, Sree Narayana Guru, is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri. High cliffs with mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.

Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhapilangad Beach is located about 15 km from Kannur and 8 km from Thalasseri, Kannur district, north Kerala. The Muzhapilangad beach which stretches across four kilometres of sand is a drive-in beach where one can drive down the entire length.

Kasargod Beach
The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasaragod is world renowned for its coir and handloom industries. Fishing is a prime source of livelihood. Kasaragod is known as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The fort at Bekal is the largest and best preserved in the State.

Payyanbalam Beach
Payyambalam Beach is located 2 km from Kannur town, Kannur district, north Kerala. Quiet, secluded, this beautiful stretch of sand and surf is the best locale for a relaxed evening. The Payyambalam beach is a popular picnic spot of the local people and holds much potential for development into a tourist resort.The rest of the land - Kannur - is equally fascinating to explore. Being the cradle of ageless folk arts like Theyyam and folk music , Kannur has always remained a land of ageless charms.

Calicut Beach
There are a number of places worth visiting in Calicut. Kappad is the place where Vasco da Gama set foot for the first time when he came to India on May 27, 1498. There is a small stone monument at the beach to commemorate that event. Situated next to Pazhassirajah Museum is an art gallery displaying paintings of Raja Ravi Varma.

Karwar Beach
Activities which are different from other beach locations include chasing crabs, building sand castles, beach combing and wading into the not at all crowded sea. For the adventurous, snorkelling, speed boat cruise, banana boat ride, water scooter, kayaking and more possible. Karwar is 2 hour drive from Dabolim Airport. People can take konkan rail also and get down at Goa or Ankola. Bangalore to karwar is app. 500+ kms and requires a overnight journey, via hubli.

Malpe Beach
About 10 Kms from Mangalore, Udupi is a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great Sanskrit Philosopher. About approx. 10 Kms from Udupi is Malpe. An ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky, gurgle of the sea…

Murudeshwara Beach
Placed between Honnavar and Bhatkal, 1 km off the National Highway is the scenic holy place of Murudeshwar. The place is believed to have been sanctified by a piece of the Pranalinga of Mahabaleshwara thrown by Ravana and has some beautiful carvings and statues. Bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, the place is a favourite picnic spot. With the roaring sea to the west, the towering hills to the east and the coconut and areca groves nearby, the temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists as well.

Gokarna Beach
Gokarna is famous for its temples and beaches. With its narrow streets, traditional houses and temples, this unassuming town has become the favorite haunt for pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars and beach buffs. Locally, it is believed that Gokarna derives its name from a legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. Literally meaning 'cow's ear', this village is formed by the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers.

Maravanthe Beach
As you drive up north along the coastal road to Maravanthe , 50 Kms from Udupi, a surprise awaits you. The highway bordered on either side by the Arabian sea and the Souparnika river, with a backdrop of the Kodachadri Hills, makes the drive an out-of-the-world experience. And at sunset a crimson sky & golden rays reflected both in the sea and river convert Maravanthe into a fairyland of scenic beauty. A drive further up will take you to the Belakal Teertha falls near Baindur.

Mahabalipuram Beach
The supernatural land of Mahabalipuram is most likely one of the finest un-spoilt beaches in India on the coastline of Tamil Nadu. Tourists from across the globe come to Mahabalipuram. On the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Bengal Mahabalipuram is truly attention grabbing.

Rameshwaram Beach
Rameshwaram is a holy island located off the mainland cicumscribed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar anchored with the longest ever constructed bridge on sea in India. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage site. The maximum temperature varies between 28-31 degree Celsius, while minimum temperature is around 25 degree. Between January and March is the best time to visit Rameshwaram. The population size of Rameshwaram is 32,700. The serene beach and shallow water here are ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Pondicherry Beach
The beach-comber and the sun-worshipper have miles of nirvana in Pondicherry. The waters are cool and soothing. The sands clear and sparkling. In splendid seclusion. Quite often, your only company is a lone seagull. Or a sandpiper. Many resorts, cottages, cafes and bars command an excellent view of the sea.

Alappuzha Beach
Bellary is the headquarters of the district of the same name in the state of Karnataka. It is an industrial town, having 7 taluks. Bellary stands amidst a wide, level plain of black cotton soil.

Kappad Beach
AKappad beach is where Vasco Da Gama is believed to have landed here, which is 16 km from Kozhikode, stranded on the shore of history with the landing of Vasco Da Gama on 27th of May, 1498. When Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad beach, he was warmly welcomed by the benevolent Zamorin of Malabar. A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498".

Bekal Beach
Kasaragod is a beautiful town poised at the northern extreme of Kerala State.16 kms south of the town on the National Highway, is the largest and best preserved fort in the whole of the Kerala, surrounded by a splendid beach. Shaped like a giant keyhole, the historic Bekal fort offers a superb view of the Arabian Sea from its tall observation towers, where a few centuries ago huge cannons used to be placed. Nearby is an old mosque said to have been built by the valiant Tipu Sultan of Mysore.

Marina Beach
Marina Beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sun set and rise from the Marina beach is an enthralling experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous Marina beach, as the undercurrent is very strong, even then people come for swimming here. In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach. With its natural sandy beauty and spacious promenade and beautiful gardens, the beach is a major attraction for tourists visiting Chennai.

Kanyakumari Beach
Kanyakumari Beach at the southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet, lies Kanyakumari beach, an important pilgrim center. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. The beach itself is a beautiful sight with multi-colored sand. There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view. The Government museum offers a good collection of sculptural art crafts of Tamil Nadu.