10 best beach experiences in Kerala

Temperatures are beginning to rise and the longing for a cool dip in the sea and an even cooler drink afterwards is getting hard to ignore. If you’re planning a beach trip soon, there’s a lot to explore in Kerala. From surfing hotspots to unmatched seafood delicacies, these are some of the best beach experiences in Kerala.

🌵Go on an underwater safari at Kovalam Beach

A cluster of three adjacent crescent beaches, Kovalam is all about adventure. Here, you can embrace the childlike glee of being in the water and enjoy everything from parasailing and surfing to jet skiing and paragliding. The beach is always buzzing with people and the energy of adventure-lovers is infectious. You can go on a boat ride in a catamaran or simply take a refreshing dip in the salty sea. Bond Safari offers scuba diving and swimming courses as well as underwater safaris with marine biologists who will help you discover the breathtaking marine life.

🌵Dig into seafood by the beach in Fort Kochi

The quaint, beautiful Fort Kochi has several restaurants and cafes to explore. Seagull is a local and tourist favourite, is right by the sea and is perfect for some fish fry, Kerala squid, beef roast and a crisp, chilled beer. For a more luxurious meal, head to the Fort House Restaurant, where you can enjoy fish curries and jumbo prawns with beautiful sea views. Colony Clubhouse & Grill at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty offers a range of European cuisines and dishes made with the catch of the day. There are also beautiful summery desserts like candied ginger and fennel ice cream, lychee and strawberry mousse, crème brûlée and more.

🌵Surf up at Varkala Beach

While many pick Kovalam for a surf trip, Varkala is an up-and-coming surfing destination that’s often far less crowded. Soul & Surf is a 15-key surfing and yoga clifftop retreat that offers beginner-friendly surfing courses with internationally qualified instructors. Beginners can head here to learn surfing throughout the season, but if you’re a more advanced surfer, bigger waves come in between October-November and March-May. The retreat also has a rooftop yoga shala and offers open-air massages.

🌵Visit the seaside Bekal Fort in Kasargod

Bekal Fort is among the largest forts in Kerala and is situated on steep hills overlooking the Bekal Fort sea. This is where A.R. Rahman’s Tu Hi Re from the movie ‘Bombay’ was shot and the romance lies in its beauty. The fort houses a temple, laterite sculptures, peepholes and underground passages. The beach also has a walkway lined with trees, perfect for a leisurely sunset stroll.

🌵Spend time with fisherfolk at Marari Beach

Set on the coastline of Allapuzha, Marari beach offers a peek into life in a fishing village. Stay at the seaside CGH property Marari Beach Resort and head to the fish landing harbour at the crack of dawn to witness the first catch of the day being brought to land. The harbour is typically buzzing with bargaining vendors, baskets being carried to and fro and buyers rushing in to get their hands of the freshest fish. The resort offers guest cottages with private pools as well as in-house restaurants offering coastal cuisines.

🌵See Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi

Known as Cheenavala in Malayalam, the signature Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi are believed to have been introduced in the region between 1350 and 1450AD by explorer Zhang He. The large nets are suspended in the air with support from bamboo and teak poles, and mechanically lowered into the sea for fishing. Though they were created purely for logistical purposes, they are also beautiful to look at, especially against the sunset at Fort Kochi beach. Vasco da Gama Square is a great spot to enjoy the views.

🌵Visit the island village of Kumbalangi

If you’ve been exploring the many joys of Malayalam cinema, you cannot possibly have missed the movie Kumbalangi Nights, which explores the relationship between four brothers in the village of Kumbalangi. Make a trip to the real life village—just a 15-minute drive from Kochi—known for its Chinese fishing nets, quaint backwaters and coconut tree lined pathways. Stay in waterfront cottages at Kallancherry Retreat or pick from one of the many homestays on the eco-tourism island. Don’t miss out on local delicacies like karimeen pollichathu and prawns ularthiyathu, all on a fresh banana leaf, of course.

🌵Immerse yourself in Ayurveda by the beach

If you’re looking for an immersive Ayurvedic treatment, there’s no better place than Kerala. And what better than to experience it right by the beach? In Thrissur, a host of seaside Ayurvedic retreats await. Sitaram Beach Retreat offers Panchakarma healing, yoga and meditation sessions and vegetarian food made with locally sourced ingredients. There’s also the Nattika Beach Ayurveda Resort, a wellness retreat set in 16 acres of lush coconut groves. There are private villas with verandahs and sun decks, and an Ayurveda centre, where a doctor will create a personalised treatment plan for you.

🌵Take a beach drive at Muzhappilangad Beach

About 7km from Thalassery in Kannur, Muzhappilangad Beach is Kerala’s only drive-in beach. Tourists can drive along the 4km stretch of sand, enjoying the sea breeze and the soothing sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore. When you want to take a break, park your car, leave your shoes behind and feel the sand beneath your feet. The beach is also great for birdwatching in the winter, with species of kites, sea eagles and sandpipers migrating in.

🌵Watch the sunset at Kozhikode Beach

Kozhikode is where Vasco Da Gama originally landed in India, leading to the origin of the iconic Spice Route. Today, Kozhikode beach is best known for two things—it’s the site for the annual Kerala Literature Festival and it’s the spot for stunning sunset views. There’s an old lighthouse and two piers leading to the sea that have been in existence for over a century, and there are also several beach shacks to grab a bite and a drink once the sun goes down.

Cre: cntraveller

Đăng bởi: Yến's Ciu's