BEACHES OF ORISSA

Sharing its western border with the ArabianSea, Kerala has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves, naturalharbours, lagoons and sheltered coves. All of it as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.

THE MAIN BEACH DESTINATIONS

The kovalam Beach (16 km from Thriuvananthapuram city ): This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most poplar. Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all budgets.

The Varkala Beach(41 km from Thriuvananthapuram city ):Varkala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu center of pilgrimage High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature care Center are the two main attractions here.

The Shanghumukham Beach(8 km from Thriuvananthapuram city ):This is a favorite haunt of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thriuvananthapuram airport and Veli Tourist village. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka ( a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid ) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here.
 

The Thangasseri Beach(5 km from Kollam town ):This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches built in the 18th century. The Thangasseri Lighthouse is open to the visitors from 1530 - 1730 hrs.

The Thirumullavaram Beach(6 km from Kollam town ):This secluded beach is beautiful picnic center and has frequent bus connections to the town.