Landmarks in Kovalam
- 01
Hawa Beach
The middle bay of Kovalam, also called Eve's Beach: a quieter stretch for morning walks, watching fishermen and lifeguard-patrolled swimming.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning; December to February
- Tickets
- The beach is free to enter. Lifeguards are posted on Hawa Beach by the tourism department; follow their flags. Facilities such as sunbeds, cafes and surf hire are run privately, so agree prices first.
- 02
Lighthouse Beach
Kovalam's southernmost and busiest bay, with the red and white Vizhinjam Lighthouse above it, a long promenade of cafes and shops, and lifeguard-marked swimming.
- Time needed
- 1-3 hours, or an evening
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning and late afternoon; December to February for calm seas
- Tickets
- The beach is free to enter. Water sports such as surfing, parasailing and jet-skiing are offered by operators and are priced individually; agree the price and check safety gear before you start.
- 03
Samudra Beach
The quietest of Kovalam's beaches, set beyond a large headland, where fishermen still haul in nets and sunsets come with fewer people.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon for sunset; early morning for the nets
- Tickets
- The beach is free to enter. Facilities are limited and mostly attached to nearby resorts, so confirm what is open and agree any prices before you start.
- 04
Vizhinjam Lighthouse
A 36-metre red and white striped lighthouse, opened in 1972, that you can climb for a view over all three Kovalam bays.
- Time needed
- 30-60 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or an hour before sunset
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed and the fee has been reported as small, with opening hours around mid-morning to late afternoon and closure on Mondays and public holidays. Hours and fees change, so confirm locally before you go.
Temples in Kovalam
- 05
Azhimala Shiva Temple
A sea-facing Shiva temple at Pulinkudi, known for a 58-foot Gangadhareshwara statue set on a rock above the water, completed in 2021.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Tickets
- Entry is generally free, with modest dress required and shoes left at the stand. Photography is generally allowed but may be restricted in certain areas, so ask on site. Timings can vary, so check locally.
- 06
Vizhinjam Rock-Cut Cave Temple
A small eighth-century granite cave shrine at Vizhinjam, with unfinished reliefs of Shiva and an early inscription in Vattezhuthu script.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat; November to March
- Tickets
- Reported as a protected monument; visiting hours, any entry fee and rules on photography should be confirmed locally. Remove footwear if asked and dress modestly.
Culture in Kovalam
- 07
Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Vellar
An 8.5-acre craft village at Vellar where Kerala artisans work in studios and sell finished pieces, from Aranmula mirrors to handloom cloth.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, when studios are active
- Tickets
- Entry and the opening of individual studios should be confirmed locally, as activity has varied since the first phase opened in January 2021. Crafts are sold at stated prices.
Experiences in Kovalam
- 08
Vizhinjam Fishing Harbour
A busy natural harbour and fish landing centre where wooden boats bring in the catch each morning, now beside India's first deepwater transshipment port.
- Time needed
- 30-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Around 6-7 am for the landings
- Tickets
- Entry is free as it is a working landing centre. There are no formal tours, so keep out of the way and ask before photographing people or their catch.
Museums in Kovalam
- 09
Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium
A small marine research aquarium at Vizhinjam, run by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, with reef and ornamental fish.
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; also a rainy-day option
- Tickets
- Entry is ticketed at a small fee, reported as ₹20 for adults and less for children, with daily opening from morning to late afternoon. Confirm the current timings and fees locally.
Close enough to combine