Kappad Beach

Kozhikode (previously known as Calicut) is the capital of Northern Kerala, a region known as the Malabar Coast. Most visitors to Kerala don’t venture this far north, so there are plenty of quiet beaches along this coast.

You can start your beach hopping just 16 km north of Kozhikode with a 45 minute journey to Kappad Beach. This historic Kerala beach is a great escape from the busy city with a long golden stretch of sand and crashing surf. This is where Vasco da Gama first arrived in India in 1498. The historic occasion is marked by a small plaque, but generally you’ll find more fishermen here than tourists.

The beach is safe for swimming and is relatively undeveloped, although one resort and a few guesthouses offer a place to stay.

Kannur

Kannur is a small town located 92km north of Kozhikode. Most visitors come to witness theyyam the extraordinary masked spirit possession ritual found in nearby villages. As well as the opportunity to see the spectacular Hindu performance, there are some lovely homestays located on quiet beaches near Kannur.

Costa Malabari is one of the best places to stay, located in cashew and coconut groves, it offers great home-cooked food, visits to theyyam dances, and only a 5 minute walk to a beautiful quiet beach.

Bekal Beach

Bekal beach is 60km north of Kannur, near the border with Karnataka. The empty golden sands are beneath the Bekal Fort, the largest fort in Kerala and a popular weekend day trip for Indians.

The impressive fort has great views of the coast, and the swimming on the beach is safe. However as the locals aren’t used to western tourists it is important to dress modestly on the beach to avoid offence.

Bekal is a great place to combine with a trip to the Valiyaparamba backwaters,  a much quieter alternative to the backwaters near Alleppey.

All of these northern Kerala beaches are recommended for travellers wanting to get off the beaten track, enjoy quiet undeveloped beaches and experience some unique aspects of Keralan culture.

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Marari Beach

Marari Beach is a long quiet beach near the small fishing village of Mararikulam. Marari is a great option for those looking to combine the backwaters with a beach stay, as it’s only 20 km north of Alleppey, and a good stopover between here and Cochin.

The beach is clean and unspoilt, and much less developed than Kovalam and Varkala. Most of the accommodation options are expensive though, the most popular being the Marari Beach Resort, but cheaper homestays are available.

Recommended for those wanting to combine the backwaters with a Kerala beach.

Cherai Beach

Cherai is the nearest decent beach to Cochin, located on Vypeen Island. This 15km stretch of beach is located next to a backwater lagoon with views of coconut groves and paddy fields.

Cherai can be reached from Fort Kochi on a 10 minute ferry ride, plus 40 minutes by bus or taxi. It’s easily visited on a day trip from Cochin, but there are also plenty of places to stay if you’d rather base yourself at the beach.

Recommended for those on short trips who are already visiting Cochin and want to relax on a Kerala beach for a day or two.

Part 3 of Which Kerala Beach is Right For You? covers the quiet off the beaten track beaches in Northern Kerala.

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It can be difficult to choose which Kerala beach is right for you. This Kerala beach guide takes you through the options, starting in Part 1 with the popular resorts of South Kerala.

Kovalam

Kovalam is the most popular Kerala beach resort, conveniently located only 30 minutes south of Trivandrum. This trio of palm-lined beaches was once a budget backpackers hang-out, but has now become very popular with tourists on package holidays, with plenty of upmarket hotels on offer.

The development of the resort has been haphazard, resulting in the loss of much of its character. However if you are looking for a wide choice of accommodation and restaurants, and a lively beach scene then Kovalam is for you. Prices are higher in Kovalam than in other parts of Kerala, but budget choices are possible, as well as many luxurious resorts offering ayurvedic treatment.

Kovalam and Varkala both have rough seas with strong undercurrents, so you must be careful when swimming, but hiring a boogie board can be fun.

Recommended for tourists looking for luxurious resorts, ayurvedic spas and a lively beach scene.

Varkala

Varkala, Kerala Beach

Varkala is the second most popular Kerala beach resort, located north of Trivandrum. The beach is spectacularly located beneath steep red cliffs with fantastic views and beautiful sunsets.

Varkala is less commercialised than Kovalam, but is no longer quiet. There are plenty of tourists around, and new hotels are being built all the time. However it is a much more relaxed option, with the cliff top lined with chilled-out bamboo cafes and shops. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy the views including dolphins during the day and amazing sunsets later on.

There are plenty of opportunities for ayurveda and yoga. Varkala is only 30 minutes south of Kollam, so is easily combined with a backwater trip.

Recommended for those looking for a quieter option than Kovalam, but still plenty of accommodation and restaurant choices.

Other South Kerala Beach Options

If Kovalam and Varkala both sound too busy for you then there are many quiet stretches of beach south of Kovalam and  north of Varkala. You can choose to stay at luxurious resorts or the occasional guesthouse, and are likely to have the beach to yourself with not much else going on.

Recommended for those looking to get away from it all, especially tourists who can afford the expensive resorts along the coast.

Part 2 of the Kerala Beach Guide covers the beaches of Central Kerala – ideal for those looking to combine backwaters and beaches. If you sign up to the Kerala India Travel RSS Feed, you’ll receive new articles direct to your reader.

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