KOVALAM

This place located 16 kilometres south of Thiruvananthapuram, is a traditional fishing village also renowned for its beautiful beach. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore.

Enjoy - "Kovalam" means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts separated by rocky outcroppings. The southern most beach, and the most popular, is called the Light House beach for its 35 metre high light house which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. It offers an amazing sight of Vizhinjam mosque. The northern part of the beach is known as Samudra Beach in tourism parlance. A large promontory separates this part from the southern side. Samudra Beach doesn't have tourists thronging there or hectic business. The local fishermen ply their trade on this part. The middle, hawah, in the early day, is a beehive of activities with fishermen setting out for sea. Hawah Beach is so named for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. Topfree bathing and parading is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. Azure water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The clean white sandy beach will arouse a temptation irresistible: to lie idle on the sands and tan your body. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. You could get into any of the Ayurvedic massage centre and indulge in a rejuvenating herbal, body-toning massage and holistic therapies. It is warm and clean filled with the coconut trees and the white sandbed as the seabreeze gently plays with the waves. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services. Surfing, swimming and bathing are very refreshing and exhilirating in the waves. One can walk into the sea for about 100 metres without loosing ground. This cove is also the safest place for swimming. At many coastal places there are beautiful patches of coral reefs. The underwater views, which are visible during snorkeling, are really marvellous. The sunset here is a very beautiful site. The normal tourist season is from September to May.