Beaches · Kerala · India
The best beaches in and near Kerala
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Papanasam Beach, Varkala (Below Varkala's North Cliff). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 30°C (86°F)
The beaches
Below Varkala's North Cliff · Sunsets and cliff views
1.Papanasam Beach, Varkala
A long beach below Varkala's red cliffs, with lifeguards in season and cafés above on the North Cliff.
About 15 km from Thiruvananthapuram · Families
2.Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam
Kovalam's main crescent beach beside the red-and-white lighthouse, lifeguarded and lined with restaurants.
About 15 km north of Alappuzha · Quiet beach stay
3.Marari Beach
A quiet beach of fishing villages and palms north of Alappuzha, with small resorts and homestays.
About 30 km from Fort Kochi · Day trip from Kochi
4.Cherai Beach
A long beach on Vypin Island with backwaters behind it, the nearest good beach to Kochi.
About 8 km north of Varkala · Space and solitude
5.Kappil Beach
A wide, empty beach north of Varkala where the backwaters meet the sea.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| April | 30°C (86°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for beach, solo travellers, budget and couples
Varkala
Varkala's North Cliff is lined with guesthouses, yoga studios, cafés and shops above Papanasam beach, about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. The Janardhana Swamy Temple is a pilgrimage site, and quieter beaches such as Odayam and Kappil lie to the north. It is Kerala's most popular backpacker beach town.
- Good
- Sea views from the cliff; Yoga and Ayurveda; Easy train access
- Watch out
- Strong currents in the monsoon; Many cliff businesses close from about May to August
- Nearby
- Papanasam Beach, Janardhana Swamy Temple, Kappil Beach, Odayam Beach
Getting to the beaches
- Train — Indian Railways trains connect Kerala's coastal towns frequently; Ernakulam to Varkala takes about 3–4 hours and to Alappuzha about 1–1.5 hours.
- Car — Hiring a car with driver is the usual way to reach Munnar (about 4 hours from Kochi) and Thekkady, and to link them with the backwaters.
- Bus — KSRTC state buses run everywhere, including the hill routes, and are very cheap, though crowded and slow.
- Ferry — Government ferries and the electric boats of the Kochi Water Metro link Ernakulam, Fort Kochi, Vypin and other islands around the harbour; state water transport ferries also cross the backwaters near Alappuzha.
- Metro — Kochi Metro runs north–south through Ernakulam from Aluva, useful for getting between the city and the airport side of Kochi.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in November–April. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Sea currents are strong, especially from May to September, so swim only on lifeguarded beaches and obey red flags. Roads are busy and hill routes winding; avoid night driving in the Ghats, where wild elephants sometimes cross. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Kerala have beaches?
Yes: Papanasam Beach, Varkala, Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam, Marari Beach, Cherai Beach and Kappil Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Kerala?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Kerala?
Papanasam Beach, Varkala: A long beach below Varkala's red cliffs, with lifeguards in season and cafés above on the North Cliff.