Kovalam is a bustling beach destination ideal for travelers who look for serenity or some exciting adventure. In addition to its breathtaking natural charm, this beautiful paradise offers plenty of things to do that never make you tired. In fact, all these activities help to relax your body, mind and soul. A beautiful destination with different shades, Kovalam fascinates travelers from fabulous beaches to tranquil backwaters, from Ayurvedic therapies to adventure sports and from beach cafes and shacks to luxury resorts and hotels. It has everything to make your vacation in Kerala an unforgettable one. Plan your holidays in Kovalam through Kochi Taxi and enjoy best deals.
A Destination With Many Happening Tourist Attractions
Kovalam is famous as a lovely beach destination in India but it has many happening tourist spots that keep attracting plenty of globetrotters to this town. It shall be interesting to roam around this fishing town and explore its Lighthouse, Hawa and Samudra beaches, Vellayani Lake, Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple, Halcyon Castle, Karamana River and Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple. People who visit Kovalam also include Aruvikkara Dam and Neyyar Dam in their travel itinerary. You will also love to pay a visit to the Valiyathura Pier o enjoy a spectacular sunset. Do not miss out the Kovalam Art Gallery if you are fond of art and sculpture.
Deck With Stunning Views
The best way to enjoy the unique topography of Kovalam is to visit the observation deck of the lighthouse. This candy-striped tourist spot is located at the southern end of Lighthouse beach. Try to climb the 157-steps including a stretch of a metal vertical ladder to reach the deck. You need to climb these steps barefoot as footwear not allowed inside the deck. The view from the deck is mind-blowing and worth even if you reach the top breathless. Try to go up the deck as soon as the lighthouse opens so that you will be able to spend a few minutes at the deck. The lighthouse opens from 10 am to 12.30 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm daily. You need to pay a nominal fee to enter the lighthouse and pay extra for using cameras.
Surfing Scene At Kovalam
Kovalam is home to a few exciting water sports because of it wide beach spaces ad clear blue waters. People who visit this destination usually enjoy activities like swimming, surfing, boating and rowing. These activities leave you spellbound and you can take back home some beautiful memories. The Kovalam Surf Club is the main reason for the growing popularity for the surfing scene in this beach destination. It was opened in 2005 which offers surfing lessons for people with different levels of expertise. Anybody with basic knowledge of swimming can join for surfing lessons at this place. They conduct classes throughout the year except the monsoon months, i.e., from June to August. You can buy or rent surfing gear from the shop at the club. The profit from this club go to a non-profit organization named, Sebastian Indian Social Projects that support the empowerment of women and education programmes for school dropouts in the area. The cost of classes is Rs.1000/- for 1.5 hours.
Snorkeling For Mildly Adventurous
People who are mildly adventurous can opt for snorkeling or speedboat rides at Kovalam. Since the speedboat usually goes for a few kilometers out to the sea and zip along the coast, you will be able to get a good view of this beach destination and its adjoining beaches. The best snorkeling points in Kovalam are off the rocky peninsula that separate the main beaches. The marine life at this region includes angel fish, moray eels, parrot fish and groupers. It is better to avoid monsoon months to enjoy snorkeling because the sea can get violent during this time. From December to March is the best time to enjoy snorkeling in Kovalam. If you are interested to enjoy a bit of snorkeling during your Kovalam holidays, ask your hotel to organize it. You can also find operators at the beach who arrange this activity for you. The Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society introduced scuba diving also in Kovalam in May 2015.
Delicious Food Items
With high-class coffee shops and local budget restaurants and eateries, Kovalam offers outstanding dining experience to travelers. Besides, you can find several local Dhabas on either side of the National Highways. Visitors can enjoy tea, coffee, juices and lassi from these places. Many restaurants are there at the Lighthouse Beach along the beach front and some of them are spicier. By spending $2-3, you will be able to enjoy some parantha, vegetable sambar and 2 pieces of chicken fry. Traditional food available at this beach destination may be a little difficult to suit the palate of foreigners.
Kovalam is a great place for seafood lovers. Many restaurants and eateries of this place serve lip-smacking fish, seafood and beef fry. You will never forget the fish roasted in banana leaf that tasted from one of the dining places in this beach destination. Be it a vegetarian menu or non-vegetarian, there is no difficulty to find the dishes of your choice in this region. Some of the restaurants and eateries with an eclectic menu are the German Bakery, Malabar Café and Beatles. The restaurants of some of the hotels like the Leela Kovalam and Vivanta By Taj are suitable to enjoy a memorable dining. Guests will be able to taste delicious dishes while watching fantastic views of the coastline and fishing vessels if they choose these restaurants to dine.
How To Reach
Spend a few hours at the stunning beaches of Kovalam shall be dream of many beach lovers and holidaymakers. This beach destination is extremely popular among foreigners because of its shallow waters and low tidal waves. Kovalam is nearly 16 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram and travelers can hire taxis or auto-rickshaws to reach the beach. Bus services are also available from the city to Kovalam.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (14 km)
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram (15 km)