Kovalam beach - bollywood flicks boast of it's blue clear waters and white sand. The water might not be as blue as they show but yes it definately is cleaner than anywhere else in India.


Location: The beach is just 16 Kms from Trivandrum Railway station or Bus stand. An auto can take you there for less than  150 INR (Prepaids are avialable at railway station)   
 

Kovalam beach is a collection of three beaches. You can stay right on the beach were there are some great budget options available for back-packers. Orion , the one in which I stayed, is a family run hotel  right on light house beach and a marvelous view (except for the annoying electricity wires). At night you could hear the roars of the sea and watch the lighthouse flash it's light around.View from my room:




The southernmost beach is the light house beach that is ideal for surfing, I could spot some guys surfing here.


The beach next to it, Hawah, is manned by life guards and is a nice one to take a dip. Water, clear though, is very salt on all the beaches.


The last one - northern most is located next to a mosque and has a splendid sunset view along with being a very shallow and pacific one. This one is located next to the Leela Kovalam and also called the Leela beach.


Visit links to : Varkala and backwaters - next destinations in the trip. Or go  back to plan the Kerala trip