Kovalam

Travel Guide

Lighthouse Beach featuring general coastal views
Vizhinjam Beach featuring general coastal views
Kovalam Beach featuring a beach as well as an individual male
Kovalam Beach showing a beach as well as a small group of people
Hawah Beach featuring a beach as well as an individual male

Stay in a coastal resort by the Arabian Sea that offers plenty of opportunities to relax or get active on a beach.

The former fishing village of Kovalam is now one of Kerala’s most popular beach resorts. Swim, surf and sunbathe on attractive beaches where traditional fishing methods can still be seen.

Kovalam’s shoreline stretches for approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) along the Arabian Sea and comprises three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches that are fringed by palm trees. With clear waters and clean sands, the beaches host a variety of leisure activities for all the family including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, massages and catamaran cruises.

Lighthouse Beach is the largest of the three beaches and  is situated at the southernmost tip of the town. This part of the coastline is popular with surfers. If you want to ride the waves, but haven’t done so before, go to the nearby surf school for tuition and board rentals. When you come off the beach, walk along promenades lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and ayurvedic centres.

Pay a visit to the Vizhinjam Lighthouse that gives the beach its name. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the 115-feet (35-meter) structure for superb views of the area. 

Go for an early morning stroll on Hawah Beach and watch the fishermen heading out to sea. Locals will sometimes refer to the beach as Eve’s Beach because it was one of the first topless beaches in India, a practice that is now banned. Samudra Beach is separated from the other two beaches by a large promontory. Along with sunbathing and swimming, you can see fisherman hauling in their nets and the day’s catch. Some of the local restaurants and hotels buy their fish from here. 

Kovalam is served by an international airport and railway station that are located in Trivandrum, approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) away. With good roads and frequent bus services, the town’s attractive stretches of beach are easy to get to.

The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel
The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel
5 out of 5
Kovalam Beach Road, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Kerala
The price is ¥21,925 per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
¥21,925
¥26,036 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Neyyattinkara. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (437 reviews)
Panoramic View Property
"Beautiful sunset 180 degree views from both - top of the hill and from ground beach levels. Amazing Pan Asian restaurant - Tide on the beach front with live music is not to be missed."

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel
Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa Kovalam
Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa Kovalam
5 out of 5
G V Raja Vattapara Road, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Kerala
The price is ¥22,839 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
¥22,839
¥26,950 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Neyyattinkara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Kovalam Beach and Shri Padmanabhaswamy ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (260 reviews)
Will come back for another saty
"Very cozy and ecologically friendly place for stay. A great beach front which unfortunately is not walkable at this time of the year due to rough sea, beautiful lagoon walk made the whole stay amazing."

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa Kovalam
Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel
Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel
5 out of 5
GV Raja Road, Samudra beach, Vellar, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Kerala
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Neyyattinkara. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Kovalam Beach and Shri Padmanabhaswamy ...
7.4/10 Good! (138 reviews)
"breakfast not very good for italian people"

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2025

Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beechwood holiday homes,Perfect  Self Catering facilities  In Kovalam
Beechwood holiday homes,Perfect Self Catering facilities In Kovalam
Kovalam
Stay at this apartment in Thiruvananthapuram. Enjoy laundry facilities, balconies, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Kovalam Beach and Shri Padmanabhaswamy ...
Not the same place!
"Completely different property than advertised. None of things listed were available or working. Stove not working, washer broken for many years. No safe rooftop. One a/c in one bedroom, that was not disclosed in ad.Big flight of stairs to enter, not disclosed.. Would be really horrible for very senior ..."

Reviewed on Nov 21, 2023

Beechwood holiday homes,Perfect Self Catering facilities In Kovalam
Better Inn Kovalam by Halcyon Traveltech
Better Inn Kovalam by Halcyon Traveltech
Kovalam
Stay at this vacation home in Thiruvananthapuram. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Kovalam Beach and Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple ...
Better Inn Kovalam by Halcyon Traveltech
Homely atmosphere d fully furnished apartment with friendly staffs
Homely atmosphere d fully furnished apartment with friendly staffs
Trivandrum
Stay at this apartment in Neyyattinkara. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Kovalam Beach and Hawah Beach are located ...
Homely atmosphere d fully furnished apartment with friendly staffs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Kovalam

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
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5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
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4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful city and wonderful people.

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