SOUTH INDIA TOURISM: BEACH TOURISM

BEACHES IN KERALA | LIST OF BEACHES IN KERALA | TOP 10 BEACHES IN KERALA

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Most of India's finest beaches are in Kerala. For virtually its entire 600 km length, the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms. Each year, an impressive number of visitors arrive here in search of the tranquil, palm-fringed beaches.

Kovalam Beach: Internationally renowned, this seaside destination comprises three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches, of which the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Kovalam offers a variety of activities including snorkelling, catamaran rides, sunset viewing, cycling on the beach etc. (16 km from Thiruvananthapuram)

Shankhumugham Beach:
Adjacent to the airport, this beach has an indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid), a restaurant shaped like a starfish and a traffic training park for children. Nearby are two popular picnic spots Akkulam and Veli Tourist Village. (8 km from Thiruvananthapuram)

Chowara Beach:
8 km south of Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram Pristine and serene, this fishing hamlet is an unending stretch of white, sandy beaches.

Poovar Beach:
An isolated but spectacular beach, Poovar is situated close to the Neyyar River estuary. A trading port in its early days, it is today an important tourist destination. (12 km south of Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram)

Papanasham Beach:
A dip in the sea at Papanas ham, meaning redemption from sins, is believed to be holy. Fringed by red laterite cliffs, near to the beach are the mineral springs, serene backwaters, the 2000-year-old Sree Janardhana swamy Temple, a century- old tunnel and a Nature Cure Centre. (45 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Varkala)

Thangasseri Beach:
This seaside village of historic importance houses the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The beach here is an unique place where you get to see the sun setting and the moon rising simultaneously. (5 km from Kollam)

Thirumullavaram Beach:
This secluded beach is a beautiful picnic centre. (6 km north of Kollam)

Alappuzha Beach: A 137.year-old pier which extends into the sea and an old lighthouse add to the attractions of the beach. (3.5 km from the city)

Fort Kochi Beach: Overlooking the Arabian Sea, with its legendary Chinese fishing nets dotting the foreground, Fort Kochi Beach offers a view of spectacular sunsets. Another highlight here are the waterfront stalls serving fresh catch prepared according to taste. (21 km from Ernakulam)

Cherai Beach:
This lovely beach bordering Vypeen lsland is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally spotted here. A typical Kerala village nearby, with paddy fields and coconut groves, is an added attraction. (23 km from Ernakulam)

Natika Beach:
Fringed by palm trees, this picturesque beach is a hot spot for picnickers. (24 km from Thrissur)

Tanur Beach:
The small coastal fishing town of Tanur is one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546. About 3 km south of Tanur town is Keraladeshapuram Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and believed to be one of the oldest temples in Kerala. (35 km from Malappuram)

Padinjarekkara Beach:
Famous for bird watching, the beach also offers a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Bharathapuzha, the Tirur Puzha and the Arabian Sea. (5 km from Chemravattom, Ponnani in Malappuram)

Vallikunnu Beach:
A beach resort set in the midst of a palm grove is the main attraction here. Nearby is the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary. (40 km from Malappuram)

Kozhikode Beach: This beach is a favourite haunt of sunset viewers. Adding to its natural beauty is the old world charm retained by the ancient lighthouse and the two crumbling piers, each more than a old, that run into the sea. (500 m from the city)

Beypore Beach:
One prominent ports and a maritime trading centre of ancient Kerala, Beypore is located at the mouth of the chaltyar River. The boat building yard here, famous for the construction the Uru (Arabian trading vessel), boasts a tradition of almost 1500 years. (10 km south of Kozhikode)

Kappad Beach:
This is the historic beach where vessels. Vasco da Gama Landed on the 21th of May 1498 with men in three The rock-studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. (16 km from Kozhlkode)

Thikkoti Lighthouse Beach: This beach overlooks the veluyamkallu Rock much dreaded by mariners, off Moodadi coast. The lighthouse here was built after a shipwreck, the remains of which can still be seen here. The region around the veltyamkallu Rock is home to migratory

Payyoli Beach: The shallow waters of this beautiful ideal for swimming. During November-December, hordes of the endangered olive Ridley turtle come in to lay eggs. (40 km north of Kozhlkode)

Vadakara Sandbanks This beach where the kattakal River merges into the sea is stunningly beautiful and is a favourite spot for locals and tourists. The nearby Biria Bungalow offers a detightful view the Sandbanks Beach. (50 km from Kozhikode)

Payyambalam Beach: Famous for its flat laterite cliffs that Jut out into the sea, well-laid gardens and the massive landscaped sculpture of Mother and child make this beach extremely captivating. The adjacent Baby Beach accessed through the Bumasseny Cantonment is detightfully quiet.(2 km from Kannur)

Kizhunna Beach:   This beautiful stretch of sand is one of the most secluded beaches in Kerala. (11 km from Kannur)

Meenkunnu Beach:   (12 from Kannur Uncrowded, the beach is a tourist's paradise, with golden sand and surf

Muzhappilangad Beach:   Swimmer's paradise, this is Kerala's only drive-in beach. Adventure sports like paragtiding, parasailing, micro-lite flights and a variety of watersport options are possible here. (15 km from Kannur)

Dharmadom Beach: The small five-acre island covered with coconut palms and green bushes is a beautiful sight from the serene stretch of Dharmadom Beach, Permission is required to enter this isle (17 km Kannur)

Ezhimala
The beautiful beach here has a hillock nearby (286 m high). Ezhimala also has a Naval Academy (50 km from Kannur)

Bekal Fort Beach: Also known as Pallikara Beach, this scenic seaside offers a spectacular view of historic fort and has ample facilities for recreation and relaxation, Kappil Beach:

A winding lane meanders through palm-fringed landscape to totally unpolluted, secluded beach. The Kodi this Cliff closeby offers a panoramic of the Arabian Sea, km away is the Palukunnam Temple.

Kanwatheertha A large swimming pool like formation of the sea on the vast beach is the main attraction here. (3 km from Manjeswaram in Kasaragod)

MUZHAPPILANGAD DRIVE-IN BEACH / DRIVE-IN BEACH IN KERALA

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Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach is in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It is located parallel to National Highway 17 between Kannur and Thalassery. This beach is also considered the only Drive-in Beaches in Asia and the most popular beach in the Malabar region in Kerala. Even though Goa has many beautiful beaches, it does not have a Drive-in beach .A news article published by Manorama News on 24th October, 2012, showed the 8km stretch at Thikkodi beach in the neighbouring Kozhikode district is also drive-able. The beach festival is celebrated in the month of April and it is one of the important tourist attraction in the district of Kannur in Kerala. The youth also try many driving stunts in cars like drifting and wheeling in bikes as this is a paradise for driving along the shore. Just 100m from this beach you would find a private island, which can be reached by walk at times of low tide. There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. To get to this road, if you are driving from Tellicherry towards Kannur, take the left turn just before the first railway crossing you encounter after crossing the Moidu bridge. The beach is about 5 km long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur on the north. Local laws allow beachgoers to drive for a full 4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the stronger currents of the ocean. Approximately 100–200 m south of the beach there is a private island called Dharmadam Island (Pacha Thuruthu in Malayalam, which translates to Green Island in English). It is possible to walk to the island during low tide. Since the late 90's, the beach has seen a steady influx of European tourists during winter. even though the beach has attracted many lucky visitors into her,a major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potential of this elusive destination.it is a must see destination for Indians as well as foreign tourists.after the face lift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors including resorts roads etc.

Distance from Muzhappilangad Beach
Kozhikode: 79 Km
Thrissur: 201 Km
Kasargod: 108 Km
Ernakulam: 253 Km
Kochi: 269 Km
Alappuzha: 314 Km
Kumarakom: 315 Km
Kottayam: 323 Km
Kuttanad: 332 Km
Idukki: 342 Km
Munnar: 349 Km
Kollam: 402 Km
Thiruvananthapuram: 465 Km
Kovalam: 471 Km
Nearest Airport: Karipur International Airport Kozhikode.-100km
Nearest Railway Station: Thalassery Railway Station.-7km

: Kannur Railway Station.-15km
Road: To access to this beach, in case you are driving from Thalassery in the direction of Kannur, take the left turn just prior to the very first railway crossing you come across as soon as crossing the Moidu bridge. The beach is roughly around 5 km long and curves in the wide area giving an excellent view of Kannur in the north.

TOURIST PLACES IN NORTH GOA / FAMOUS BEACHES IN GOA -INDIA / SOUTH INDIA TOURISM

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BAGA BEACH

BAGA BEACH
Baga is known for its popular beach, Baga Beach with is brown sands, and creek, the Baga Creek. It is visited by thousands of tourists annually. Baga Beach is a popular beach and tourist destination in North Goa, India, located a few kilometers north from the famous and crowded Calangute beach. The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow. The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach. Baga Beach is also famous for its water sports and Dolphin cruises.

ANJUNA BEACH

ANJUNA BEACH
The Anjuna beach in Goa is known for its full-moon (acid house) parties. Held for and by young tourists, these parties have attracted thousands of tourists. The trance party with dance, frolic, and merriment goes all night besides the fire. It is just the right place for lazing holidaymakers.Besides the calm waters of the Arabian Sea lapping softly on the Indian shore, Anjuna comes alive with its ever-famous full-moon parties and the Wednesday flea market to take one onto a trance trip. Anjuna Beach has been the haunt of the flower generation in the sixties and is now popular with the younger generations. It became popular because of its Trance Parties and the Hippies who tried to fuse the Eastern spiritual traditions with Western Music, ideas and art.Anjuna is a small Village in north Goa and is popularly called the freak capital in the world. Its significant tourist spots are the magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920 (flanked by octagonal towers and an attractive Mangalore tile-roof), the Mascarenhas Mansion, and the Chapora fort.
Every Wednesday, at around 11 a.m., Anjuna breaks into a riot of colors. Lines of vehicles full of tourists start virtually raising clouds of dust in this area. Whatever one needs, from a used paperback to a haircut, one would find it here. The flea market is a heaven for hardcore shoppers and good bargainers, to bid on wonderful blends of Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets and handicrafts, European snacks, cassettes of a noisy brand of music called 'Goa Trance', artificial ornaments carvings and T-shirts. An elephant ride and a photograph with a fake sadhu or a fake snake charmer can also be found here.
There are plenty of guest houses around the village, and even a couple of hotels. Someone planning a longer stay should look out for 'To Let' signs, as there are plenty of houses that are available on rent along the back lanes.

VAGATOR BEACH

VAGATOR BEACH
This most photographed beach of Goa forms a bay that curves from the headland to the hillock crowned by the Chapora Fort.This beautiful arc of sand is located about 22 kms from Panaji and is part of the 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa.
Adjoining Anjuna, Vagator is secluded, crescent shaped and situated on the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin in the shadow of Chapora Fort. During the tourist season, it is a favorite venue for midnight parties. There are a number of buses that run from Mapusa and Calangute beach to Vagator. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa.

SINQUERIM BEACH
With its magnificent 17th century fort which has now been converted into a prison, Sinquerim is one of the finest beaches in Goa, offering international class facilities for water-skiing, parasailing, fishing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing.Home to the Taj Hotel Group, which dominates the headland around the historic Fort Aguada, Sinquerim is located some 13 kms from Panaji. The uninterrupted stretch of firm sand stretches all the way north to Baga, offering visitors a temptingly long walk along the beach

CANDOLIM BEACH
Candolim is the first beach that can be approached from the city of Panaji and is like a gateway to the other more famous beaches. Though individual accommodation is available here, there are only a few hotels with restaurants attached. One highlight of Candolim is the parasailing and water skiing facility, besides other water sports.

AGUADA BEACH
Aguada beach is almost synonymous with the top-notch Fort Aguada Hotel complex, a superb hotel that is built on the cliff, around the remnants of the early 17th century Portuguese fort. Although access to the beach is not possible through the hotel grounds, which are private, you can walk along Aguada beach, for in India private beaches do not exist.Drawn by the clientele of the hotel, Aguada beach has cafes, itinerant vendors of everything from Kashmiri carpets to massages, and a good range of water sports.

MORJIM BEACH
The VIPs on this beach are the Olive Ridley turtles that come to nest here helped by a group of volunteers who guard the nests and help the hatchlings get into the sea. A favourite of Russian tourists, along with Ashwem beach close by, visitors will find signboards and menu cards in Russian!

ARAMBOL BEACH
This is also a foreigners’ haunt with a large number of Tai Chi, non-permanent mehendi or henna, tattoo, yoga and meditation centres. Harmal Beach is the one place you cannot drive on to, but there are narrow lanes that lead to the higher reaches of the coast. You have to walk down a slope to the beach itself. The black rocks on the silvery beach make for some pretty dramatic scenery at sunset. Further up near the hill is a pool with soft yellow clay, which is said to have healing properties. Beauticians buy the clay as do the innumerable massage parlours in the area.

MIRAMAR BEACH
This beautiful ‘urban’ beach, akin to Chowpatty in Mumbai, is located just 3 kms from Panaji. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian Sea. It was originally known as ‘Gasper Dias Beach’, named after Gaspar Dias, a prosperous landlord and where a Portuguese fort once stood at the fag end of the 16th century. From the beach across the river is an excellent view of Fort Aguada. With its proximity to Panaji, and located near educational institutions, Miramar is very much both a family beach and a meeting point for young people. It is also a hot spot for fitness fiends and walkers. Tourists love the familiar atmosphere. Numerous hotels, including the spacious and well laid out Miramar Residency run by GTDC, dot the area. The beach is crowded with locals and tourists alike on most days. A memorial to Goa's first chief minister, the late Dayanand Bandodkar is located here.

FORT AGODA

The fort was constructed in 1612 to guard against the Dutch and the Marathas. It was a reference point for the vessels coming from Europe at that time. This old Portuguese fort stands on the beach south of Candolim, at the shore of the Mandovi river. It was initially tasked with defense of shipping and the nearby Bardez District.
A freshwater spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that used to stop by. This is how the fort got its name: Aguada, meaning Water. Crews of passing ships would often visit to replenish their fresh water stores. On the fort stands a four-storey Portuguese lighthouse, erected in 1864 and the oldest of its kind in Asia. Built in 1612, it was once the grandstand of 79 cannons, a moat around the fort also protected it.
Fort Aguada was the most prized and crucial fort of Portuguese. The fort is so large that it envelops the entire peninsula at the south western tip of Bardez. Built on the mouth of river Mandovi, it was strategically located and was the chief defence of Portuguese against the Dutch and Marathas.

CALANGAUTE BEACH
Calangute beach in Goa is also known as the Queen of Beaches. The period from November to February is the most pleasant to visit here. It's 15km from the capital city Panjim. The beach itself isn't anything special, with steeply shelving sand, however it's capacity is large enough to accommodate the huge number of high-season visitors.The Calangute beach is usually crowded and the small resorts thrive in business during the holiday season. It is one of the most popular beach in Goa with a host of facilities to cater to visitors, including Golden sand along the beach and water sports. Calangute beach lies on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa in India. Calangute is the most popular holiday destination in Goa. Excellent accommodation facilites are available, particularly at the tourist resorts and cottages. It has also become a good investment plan to buy properties in Goa.
The beach in Calangute is also the perfect tourist haven, completed with shacks and stalls under the shade of palm trees selling everything from fried prawns and beer, to trinkets made of seashells. Its rainbow hued canvas has welcomed everyone to it always although it became popular across the globe only after the hippies discovered it in the 60's.
One of the places worth visiting nearby is the St. Alex Church. The Church of St Alex greets the visitors with its two towers and a magnificent dome gracing the façade. The inside of the church is a display of the line and beauty of its architectural style and attractive altars. Calangute's nightlife is surprisingly tame and provides a nice break from the wild parties at Anjuna. All but a handful of the bars wind up by 10.00 pm. One notable exception is Tito's at the Baga end of the beach, which stays open until after midnight in the off-season and into the small hours of the morning in late December and January.

KOVALAM BEACH | TRIVANDRUM-KERALA | BEST BEACH IN SOUTH INDIA | BEACHES IN TRIVANDRUM | SOUTH INDIA TOURISM

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Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is just 16 km away from Kovalam and getting there is no hassle. But if you are on holiday it is better to stay in Kovalam and visit the city.

The City of Thiruvananthapuram has interesting places to see like the Napier Museum, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Ponmudi hill station etc. SMSM Institute, a State owned handicrafts emporium, is the ideal place to pick up ethnic curios and other articles.
Best time to visit: September to March, though it is an all-year-round destination.

HOW TO REACH:

Location: Just 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram city, South Kerala.
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 16 km.
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 10 km.

BEKAL FORT-KERALA / THE LARGEST FORT IN KERALA | THE REAL BEAUTY | SOUTH INDIA TOURISM

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Bekal fort, the largest and the best-preserved fort in Kerala, lies 16 Kms south of Kasaragodon the national highway at the northern tip of the state. The fort, a circular imposing structure of laterite rising 130 ft. above sea level, stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian sea.

This fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built in the 1650's by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1763 A.D and then the Huzur of Canara during Tipu Sultan's reign and later the British. During the British rule, the erstwhile Bekal taluk was part of South Canara district and encompassed the present Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks.

he fort with its zigzag entrance, strategically designed openings on the outer walls for defense and trenches around, has no palaces inside and was probably build just for Defence purposes. The sea bastion, underground tunnels and the observation tower in the fort are impressive. The Bekal Fort has been a source of attraction for historians, tourists and nature - lovers for centuries since it embodies memories of a glorious past.

Just outside the fort there is a mosque built by Tippu Sultan of Mysore. At the entrance is the Anjaneya temple, dedicated to Sree Hanuman. Said to be as old as the fort itself, the shrine was recently renovated and attracts hundreds of devotees from far and near. In the middle of the fort is the observation tower approached by a broad and wide flight of stairs. The structure, around 80 feet in circumference at the base and more than 30 feet high, affords a magnificent view of the sea on three sides and the green landscape to the east. There are many underground passages leading outside from various parts of the Fort. Two of them still remains intact, one leading to the south of the fort and the other to the moat on the east. The magazine inside the fort closed to the public, is used to store weapons and ammunition and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The sea bastion located on the rocky projection, west of the fort also offers a magnificent view of the sea and the beach.

There is a sea side pathway with a magnificent view of the fort to the east and the sea to the west linking the beaches north and south of the battlement. The Pallikere beach with its shallow waters is just a km. away from the fort.

Due to its historic relevance, the fort is controlled by the Archaeological Survey of India. Coins and other historical artifacts were unearthed by archeologists making it an interesting excavation site. Bekal is also one among the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a 'Special Tourism Area'.

How to get there :
Air: Nearest airports are at Mangalore (50 km); Karipur International Airport, Calicut (Kozhikode) International Terminal (180 km)
Rail: On the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route. Enquiry Ph: 430200
Road: There are regular buses every 30 minutes from Kanjagad to Bekal. An excellent network of roads connects Kasaragod to major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nad