Kovalam Beach
About Kovalam Beach
The bright and blue shining waves of the sea reflect the hot sun's rays. The cool breeze that comes from the sea is pleasant to behold. During the summer, Kovalam Beach boasts a beautiful view and a variety of activities to enjoy. Many people believe Kovalam Beach has a million reasons to appreciate it. Kovalam Beach has a way of enthralling us, catching our imagination and piquing our interest with the mysteries of the undiscovered.
Kovalam is a peaceful fishing village with crescent beaches and a sea of cascading palms, south of Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala. Lighthouse Beach and the huge Hawa Beach are adjacent to the north of Kovalam, making it a popular tourist destination. Hotels and restaurants flank Kovalam beach, with day-trippers heading directly from the taxi stands and bus booths to the sand.
Tourists will find high waves, several appealing guesthouses, and a thriving Ayurveda with yoga treatment in Kovalam, which remains a convenient and vast place for fun by the beautiful windy sea. You can watch the waves crash on the rocks while taking a long walk along the seaside.
What does History say about Kovalam Beach?
When the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai of Travancore established her beach resort, Halcyon Castle, in the 1920s, it sparked controversy. After 1930, her nephew, the Maharaja of Travancore, promoted it sophistically. As a result, in the 1930s, many local and international visitors to the Travancore kingdom saw the future of Kovalam beach as a tourist destination. In the early 1970s, it was in the discussion because hippies frequented the Hippie Trail. Kovalam has three breezy beaches along its 17 Km of coastline to create the crescent of Kovalam beach.
- Lighthouse Beach: Tourists go to Lighthouse Beach, the southernmost shore on the island. They named it after the historic Vizhinjam Lighthouse, which stood 35 metres high on the Kurumkal hilltop. The lighthouse is made of stones with red and white sands and stands at 118 feet.
- Hawah Beach: Eve’s Beach, more frequently known as Hawa Beach, has a high rock promontory and a placid bay of blue waters.
- Samudra Beach: There are no crowds of tourists or shops on Samudra beach. Samudra Beach is where the local anglers do their work.
Best Time to Visit Kovalam
Many travel experts suggest that winter is the best season to visit Kovalam. The weather is serene, and the humidity is minimal, making it ideal for tourists. The change in weather allows for more outside activities. Many travel organisers also recommend September to February as a suitable time to visit Kovalam.
How to Reach Kovalam?
Kovalam is at a distance of 16 Km from the city of Trivandrum. Tourists can hire taxis or cars from Trivandrum to reach Kovalam. One can avail of the benefits of shared taxis or a car pickup facility from Trivandrum. All the beaches of Kovalam are accessible by road, and private cars or cabs can make it possible to reach them. One can hire an auto-rickshaw too, which is for local transport and the cheapest option to arrive at Kovalam from Trivandrum.
Auto-rickshaws are cheap, less comfortable, but highly effective for reaching Kovalam from the city of Trivandrum. Buses are also available from Trivandrum to enter Kovalam and vice-versa. Bus fares are also pretty low and suitable for a tight budget. The beaches of Kovalam are connected, and one can choose to walk between them. Walking alongside the beach during dawn would be the best experience.
The distance from other prominent cities is:
Location
The coordinates of Kovalam are 8.4004°N 76.9787°E. Kovalam is a tourist spot in Trivandrum, located about 16 km southwest of the city centre. Kovalam has three magnificent beaches that form the sandy crescent of Kovalam beach along its coastline. Kovalam symbolises ‘coconut forest’ because of the prevalence of coconut trees in the area.
Places of Interest Around Kovalam Beach
- Vellayani Lake: One of Kerala’s most prominent freshwater lakes, Vellayani Lake has located 7 Km from Kovalam in Trivandrum. In Malayalam, it is called Velliyani Kayal.
- Lighthouse Beach: This beach is well renowned for its 35 m high lighthouse atop Kurumkal hilltop, but it also offers guests a sandy promenade and seafood.
- Hawah Beach: Hawah Beach is India’s second-largest beach, and it is also known as Eve’s Beach because it was the first topless beach in the country. However, topless bathing is now unlawful and forbidden.
- Samudra Beach: You can observe local anglers ply their trade on Samudra Beach and enjoy the sight of shoreline fishing. On this shore, there is also a mosque.
Best Places to Eat Around Kovalam Beach
- Curry Leaf: Curry Leaf is a two-floor restaurant on a gently sloping slope above Samudra Beach that offers ocean and sunset views beyond slender palms, and provides fresh seafood, continental meals, and tandoori delicacies.
- Terrace Restaurant: It is one of Kovalam’s most famous restaurants. The sophisticated menu here combines Indian and international flavours, with delectable nibbles ranging from chilli-infused pasta to Keralan specialities such as Malabar prawn curry and coconut-laced Pacha Kari (vegetable stew). Alternatively, when the sun sets, stop in for a spiced cocktail (for INR 450 to INR 800).
Activities in and around Kovalam Beach
- You can have the experience of thrill and joy with Catamaran rides on Hawah Beach. Catamaran rides on solid tides at Hawah Beach are one of Kovalam’s must-do activities. They will take you for a ride aboard a traditional wooden sailboat with bamboo paddles.
- Kovalam is home to probably the most fun water sports and exercises such as surfing, swimming, paddling, and sailboats.
- Take part in the Gramam Village Fair: Many native people recreate and remodel Kerala cities displaying various forms of culture, customs, music, and dance frames such as Kathakali, Thiruvathirakali, and Mohiniattam during the 10-day town fair.
Shopping Around Kovalam Beach
- Kovalam Beach Shop: The Kovalam Beach Shop is near the Lighthouse Beach area of Kovalam. You can buy silk sarongs and quality lungis from here.
- SM Handloom Centre: At the SM Handloom Centre, you can buy garments and clothes made of silk, cotton, and linen. It is near Hotel Jeevan House in Kovalam.
- Shop Joseph & Sons: Many South Indian origin spices such as cardamom, saffron, coriander, vanilla pods, cinnamon, dry ginger, fenugreek, mustard, nutmeg, mace, star anise, turmeric, tamarind, aniseed, asafoetida are available here. It is near Lighthouse Beach and the Sandy Beach Hotel in Kovalam.
- Varkala Beach: Varkala Beach Shop is near Kovalam and is a great place to shop for beachwear and jewellery made of seashells.
Stay Options Around Kovalam Beach
- Kovalam’s Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa: The Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa Kovalam is on the seashore and amid a commercial district. The hotel reflects the natural beauty of Kovalam Beach, Samudra Beach, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, and the Napier Museum.
- Raviz Kovalam: Raviz Kovalam has equipped all its 185 rooms and suites with luxurious amenities.
- Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach resort: You can locate the Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach resort in Neyyattinkara. You can enjoy scuba diving and other water sports available in the region.
- Getaway Beach Resort Kovalam: Getaway Beach Resort Kovalam is in Neyyattinkara, near the beach.
Tips and Tricks/Hacks
- Make sure that your health is suitable for the Kovalam beach environment before you arrive.
- Before arriving at Kovalam beach, get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- If you choose to visit Kovalam during the winters, carry warm clothing as the evenings may be chilly.
- You can drink water at any hygienic local restaurant, but carrying extra mineral water bottles is the best option.
- Buses are the most economical mode of transportation, but they never provide the same comfort as a taxi or auto-rickshaw. If money isn't an issue, it's best to avoid using the bus.
- You can smoke in a separate smoking cabin, available at all hotels and resorts in Kovalam.
Safety
- Keep the contact number of the cab driver with you.
- Bring the hotel business card with you when you go out.
- Keep the phone numbers of law enforcement agencies handy.
- Only consume food and beverages from reputable restaurants and eateries.
Things to Keep in Mind
- You must take adequate precautions, such as physical separation and hygiene in the wake of the pandemic.
- You can arrange your Kovalam tour ahead of time for convenience.
Interesting Facts
- Many visitors know Kovalam as the ‘Southern Paradise’. The name ‘Kovalam’ comes from the coconut palms that line the seashore.
- One of the must-do activities in Kovalam is surfing at the beach. The famed Kovalam Surf Club takes advantage of the gorgeous coastline to provide both experts and beginners with a fantastic surf experience on the friendly waves.
- Houseboats moored in the Kovalam backwaters near Ashtamudi Lake are popular with honeymooners. At Kovalam Beach Resort, many tourists prefer these houseboats for their serenity and tranquillity.
FAQs
- Why is Kovalam so famous?
We know Kovalam for its most comely beaches in India. Kovalam’s seashore is famous for its shallow waters and mild tidal waves. It is additionally one of India’s oldest tourist enclaves, having first appeared on the tourist circuit in the 1930s.
- What is the name of the beach in Kovalam?
The crescent beach is another name for Kovalam Beach.
- Kovalam Beach is located in which district?
The location is in Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum.
- What are the safety precautions to keep in mind while visiting Kovalam?
Kovalam has a low crime rate, making it a relatively safe place to visit. On the other hand, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching are frequent. So, take care of your belongings while you are at the beach.
- What is the topography of Kovalam?
We know Kovalam as a beach resort town on the Arabian Sea. It has a 17 km coastline. The main beaches are Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach, and Hawa Beach. It is in the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Is the beach at the Kovalam Lighthouse open?
The beach at Kovalam’s lighthouse is open throughout the day. Kovalam’s lighthouse timings are from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Which is the most connected city from Kovalam?
The closest city to Kovalam is Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum.
- In which state is Kovalam beach located?
It is in Kerala.
- Which is the best period to visit Kovalam?
Many travel experts suggest that the winter season is the best season to visit Kovalam. The perfect time to visit Kovalam is from September to February.
- What is the state of the cellular service in Kovalam for visitors?
Using a prepaid sim card, foreign travellers can avoid paying roaming charges. Every mobile shop in Kovalam sells prepaid sim cards.
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