Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occa-sions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, form the major attraction of this coastal resort.
Located six kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, Kovalam beach spread widely over four kilometers. Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches are beautiful, especially the southern most part of lighthouse beach. It is also lined with a host of shops and shacks offering all kinds of services; creating an unmistakable resort atmosphere. Curio shops, hawkers of Kashmiri and Tibetan products, moneychangers and beachwear shops, between the surplus of restaurants and hotels, do brisk business during peak tourist season.
The sea port of Vizhinjam is about 3 km away and famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The proposed international transshipment terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam.
Kovalam is finding a new connotation in the light of several Ayurvedic salons and healing and renaissance resorts which supply a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists.
Kovalam beach is well known for its beautiful sunset. Each and every day there will be something new to tell about the sunset in Kovalam due to its beauty. The variation of colors such as red, orange and yellow in the sun and sky draw new masterpiece art works in the sky on every new sunset. It attracts photographers from around the world to capture the beauty of sun and sky.
Three parts
Kovalam beach is divided into three main parts known as the southern most or the Lighthouse, the Hawah and the northern most, Samudra beach. The most popular part of the beach is the Lighthouse Beach where an ancient lighthouse is situated and it belongs to the British era. You can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque from here even though photography is prohibited without permission.
Hawah is situated in the middle part of the beach. It is also a base for the local fishermen. The northern most part or Samudra beach is a freaky beach relatively and dotted with elementary wooden fishing vessels. Eve’s beach of Kovalam is a semi-circular beach and renowned for its peaceful environment.
Kovalam beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, herbal body massages, fire rings, bonfire and cultural events. A large variety of continental seafood dishes are available on the beach side restaurants and hotels.
Visiting the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops near the waterfront will also be a great enjoyment and you have the opportunity to buy things, if you like. There are facilities for backwater cruise to the beautiful countryside enjoying its lush greenery.
Kovalam beach is well known not only for its beauty, but also for the entertainment programs and sports conducted on the beach. One of the popular entertainments in Kovalam Beach is to enjoy beach bonfire with your friends or relatives. The beach fire rings and bonfires are usually enjoyed and promoted by local and foreign tourists.
You can smell the woods burning and hear the shouts of joy from different parts of the Kovalam beach in the evening. All have rings offered for free use on a first come first serve basis. The camp-like tradition lives on from generation to generation in this time honored celebration that brings families, friends and business associates together in a circle, huddled around the warm glowing flames to fend off the chilled night air of the Arabian Sea. The atmosphere and temperature in Kovalam is very good with soft winds creating a chill, especially in the evenings.
By the sunset, Kovalam beach is active with songs, dances and celebrations of different tourists. Apart from tourists, there are many local inhabitants who often visit the beach to spend their evenings with family and friends. It is also interesting to watch the fishers fishing in the sea by sunset through ancient traditional ways.
In & Around Kovalam
The Lighthouse:
The lighthouse is located on a hillock named Kurumkal which is very close to the sea. The southern end of the Kovalm beach is named after this hill house. The lighthouse is thirty five meter tall structure that is painted with red and white color that is easily visible from a long distance. It is open to visitors and offers spectacular views of the lighthouse beach, Eve’s beach and its surroundings. The lighthouse road is a convenient venue for cycling and walks.
Karamana River and Boating:
The Karamana River crosses the highway at Thiruvallam, twelve kilometers from Kovalam. The place offers breathtaking views of the backwater and greenery. The Thiruvallam boat club, located on the bank of the river offers cruises, canoe rides, kayaking and houseboat cruises.
Vellayani Lake:
The place is located seven kilometers from Kovalam. There are boat services available from Kovalam. It is one of the few freshwater lakes in Kerala that looks enchanting in the moonlight. The Vellayani Lake is the venue of world famous annual boat race organized during Onam festival. The Vellayani Durga Temple is located close to the lake; the specialty of this temple is that it allows only non-Brahmin priests.
Valiyathura Pier:
It is situated around ten kilometers away from Kovalam. The coastline of this region up to Kovalam is visible from this pier. The Valiyathura literally means ‘Big Port’. There is another port in this region named Cheriyathura, literally means ‘small port’. This place offers excellent views of the setting sun and sea. Angling is the major activity here.
Edakallu:
Edakallu is the popular sunset viewing point that lies between the Lighthouse Beach and Eve’s Beach. It offers enchanting view of the red and orange sun setting in the horizon with amazing new patterns in the sky. It is one of the best places to view the sunset in Kovalam and the best place to capture the photos of different patterns of the beautiful sky.
Kovalam Art Gallery:
The Kovalam art gallery in Kovalam displays artifacts, paintings and art works. The paintings in this art gallery consist of ancient Indian paintings related to the Sanskrit culture. Europe and Western artists and art lovers are the major visitors in this gallery even though there are other visitors also.
Thiruvallam Parashurama Temple:
Thriuvallam Parashurama temple is located twelve kilometers from Kovalam. It is one of the major Hindu shrine, in India. It is believed that this temple is about 2000 years old and is situating on the banks of the Karamana River. It is the exclusive temple that is dedicated to Parashurama.
How to reach
Air: Nearest Airport – Thiruvananthapuram (20 kms)
Rail: Nearest rail head is Trivandrum Central
Road: Kovalam is connected by road with several tourist destinations within Kerala and India.
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