Shanghumugham Beach

About Shanghumugham Beach

The Shanghumugham Beach lies about 8 km away, on the Western part of Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala. Shanghumugham beach is one of the most pictorial beaches located in Kerala. Kerala, God’s own country, in south India has some of the best beaches in the world. Shanghumugham beach is one of them. A travel tour to Shanghumugham beach would help you to gather knowledge about the nearby places. The pristine beauty of the Shanghumugham beach has been successful in attracting the tourists since ages. Shanghumugham beach is a very soothing beach in Kerala which is home to idyllic sunset and sunrise in Kerala.The huge sculpture of a ‘Nymph’ (Jalakanyaka) made by the famous sculptor Sri Kanai Kunjuraman is a great attraction.A star-shaped restaurant is also seen here. T Fishing is an attractive scene in Shanghumugham Beach.Shanghumugham beach wears a festive look during the temple festivals. The beach is more crowded during the weekends and local holidays. Sunset at this beach is sight worth seeing. The Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here attracts children and helps them to learn the traffic rules.A travel tour to Shanghumugham beach would enlist knowledge about the nearby landscape too, apart from the pristine beauty of the Shanghumugham beach, which are of the order of the Thiruvanathapuram city with its attendant airport and the immensely popular Velli tourist village. An indoor recreation club coupled with mammoth Matsya Kanya statue that are the prime attractions of the Shanghumugham beach located in Kerala, south India, India, are the other places of tourist interest for a wandering soul. A children’s traffic training park along with a majestic and imposing star shaped restaurant are the other delights which are popular among the visitors and tourists to this beach located in Kerala,

This is indeed the best way to enjoy the essence of the historic Shanghumugham beach. The beautiful beach at Shanghumugham beach is a favorite haunt of the tourists. Every year hundreds of tourists throng thre sunny sands.The Shanghumugham beach touches the heart of the tourists by offering a tranquil experience. Shanghumugham beach offers the ideal surroundings to relax and to let your thoughts soar high. The Shanghumugham beach is a favorite haunt of the tourists as you can see nature at its best at this place.This beach of Kerala wears a festive look during the temple festivals. 08 kms from Thiruvanathapuram, this is a favourite haunt of sunset watchers. An indoor recreation club, the matsya kanyaka (a gigantic, 35 m long sculpture of a mermaid) and a restaurant shaped like a starfish are the major attractions here. Chacha Nehru Traffic Training Park here provides opportunity for children to learn the traffic rules.

Interesting things to Visit

Napier Museum :

A great architectural creation, the Napier Museum best represents the combination of the traditional Kerala style with the Mughal and the Chinese Influence. An English architect by the name of Chisholm designed the mansion in 19 th century. In present times it houses a rare collection of archaeological and historical artifacts.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery :

Sree Chitra Art Gallery is Established in 1935,The art gallery has a 100 years old world famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering Indian patron of art in oil painting, who was born and brought up at Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala. The Artistic grandeur of Bengal school of Arts is best exemplified here.

Padmanabhaswamy temple :

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is seen reclining on the Anantha serpent. The temple consists of a tower built of seven stories with rising pillars and intricate carvings decorated with mural paintings. Only peoples from the Hindu religion are allowed inside the temple premises places to the eastern side of the old fort ruins.

Pozhikara Beach:

Pozhikara Beach is a nearby haunt beloved by tourists. The Karamana and Parvathy Puthanaar Rivers empty into the Arabian Sea at this spot.

The Akulam Boat Club:

Its just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram is another famed tourist attraction. The club provides boating cruises on the nearby Akulam Lake. A bat ride from here to the Karamana River will cost approximately . It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.

Kanakakunnu Palace:

The Kanakakunnu Palace is sited adjacent to the Napier Museum in Trivandrum. The Kanakakunnu Palace was built during the rule of the Travancore King. Royal banquets viewed the palace as the main venue. Later Sree Chithira Tirunal altered the palace and built tennis courts inside the palace premises.

The Three beaches :

The Kovalam palm beach line is formed by three seperate beaches. The most popular beach is the southern-most Lighthouse Beach. The middle beach is called Hawah beach. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times.

Veli tourist Village:

The Veli Tourist Village is sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and the Arabian Sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar. Facilities at the village include water sports in the lagoon and 18 acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.

Canoe Rides:

Tourists enjoy canoe rides and capture breathtaking views of the country life on Thiruvallam backwaters tours.

Temples:

Tourists can make a visit to the famous temple dedicated to the Sri Parasurma, the mythological creator of Kerala. The temple has gained immense popularity in the last few years and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Legends say that when Parasurma threw his axe northward from Kanyakumari, a land was created where his axe fell and that particular land was named as the ‘Land of Parasurma’.

Nearest Visiting places

Santa Cruz Basilica Church :

This Roman Catholic church is situated near the St. Francis church and is worth a visit. It is a specimen of Portuguese architecture built in 1503. ‘Frescoes’ and mural paintings decorate the ceiling and interior parts of the church. The gothic architecture and the lofty spires gives it a unique grandeur
Bolghatty Island : Bolghatty palace built by the Dutch in 1744. Later it became the seat of the British Resident of Cochin. Today it is a hotel run by K.T.D.C. The grounds have a small golf course & several vantage points for lovely views of the harbour & the sea.

Agasthyakoodam:

Lying at an altitude of 1,890 m, Agasthyakoodam is the highest peak in southern Kerala. It forms part of Western Ghats and the Agasthyavanam forest, The hill is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. For Buddhists, it is the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; for Hindus it is the abode of sage Agastya, a disciple of Lord Shiva.The hills are rich in medicinal plants, herbs and many species of birds and wild animals. Trekking to the top takes two days and is only permitted between December and April.

Neyyar Dam:

It is a wonderful dam located near the ranges of Western Ghats, and is a well-liked tourist spot. This dam is also an ideal spot for the picnic and for spending some quality moments with friends and family.
Your tour to Trivandrum will become one of the most memorable events in your life as you will come across some of the most interesting and awe-inspiring places that you hardly would have witnessed before.

Varkala Beach:

Varkala is a seaside resort. It is also an important Hindu center of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline. The 2,000-year-old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Center are the two main attractions here at Varkala.

Paripally Gajamela:

Paripally, 48 km north of Trivandrum is noted for its Gajamela or Elephant pageant. Over 50 elephants are taken out on a ritual procession on the tenth day of the festival in the month of February-March.

Ponmudi:

An idyllic hill resort with narrow, winding pathways and cool, green, wooded environs, Ponmudi is located 913 met~s above sea level. Along with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers, exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs and the deer park nearby, this hill station also has excellent trekking trails. Food: KTDC restaurant.

Kanyakumari:

This is the land`s end of India and is only 87 km from Trivandrum. This is also known as Cape Comorin. This beautiful spot is located in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu state. This place has got international recognition because of Vivekananda who started his journey from this place.

Koyikkal Palace, Nedumangad:

Located on the way to the Ponmudi Hill Station and the Courtallam waterfalls, this ancient palace dates back to the 13th century. Here you can see a double storeyed traditional Nalukettu building with slanting gabled roofs, an inner courtyard and museums of folklore and numismatics set up by the Department of Archaeology.

Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple:

There are rock cut sculptures of the 18th century in the cave temple at Vizhinjam. The granite cave here encloses a one-celled shrine with a loose sculpture ofVinandhara Dakshinamurthi. The outer wall of the cave depicts half complete reliefs of the Hindu God Shiva with Goddess Parvathi

Sree Chithra Art Gallery:

Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Raiput, Mughal andTanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Ball.

Chacha Nehru Children`s Museum:

Children of all age groups will enjoy the vast collection of nearly 2000 dolls, stamps and masks displayed here. Observatory: Located at the highest point in the city, near the Museum complex 60 metres above sea level, one can have a bird`s eye view of the city from here.

Anivikkara Dam:

This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana River. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full offish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors.

Willington Island :

Connected to the mainland by road-cum-railway Venduruthy Bridge, Willington Island is named after the former Viceroy of India, Lord Willington. It is a manmade Island created from the materials dredged while deepening Cochin Port. Willington Island sites some of the district’s best hotels, Trading and industrial offices. Besides the airport, ship building yard, wharf, the Southern Naval Command Head Quarters, the customs house and the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the government of India

Chinese Fishing Nets :

A legacy of the trading connections between China and India many centuries ago. The long rows of Chinese Nets silhouetted against the sunset present a spectacular sight of Cochin’s waterfront. These are large nets which hang from bamboo or teak posts, still to be in use by the local fisher folk of Fort Cochin.

Vyppin light house :

The biggest Island, situated between the sea and the backwaters of Cochin. It is 24 km long and 2 1/2 km wide. There is a light house at Ochanthuruthu which is open to tourists from 3 pm to 5 pm. The Island can be reached only by water transport provided by boat services and Junkar. There are bus services on the Island.

Pallippuram Fort :

Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503. It is one of the oldest existing European monuments in India. The Dutch captured the fort in 1661 and sold it to the State of Travancore in 1789. This fort is situated in the northern extremity of the Vyppin Island at Pallippuram. The catholic church at Pallippuram is an important pilgrim centre of the Christians.

The Pareekshit Thampuran Museum :

Its archeological museum adjacent to the Shiva temple in Durbar Hall Road,Ernakulam. This museum features collections of the 19th century paintings , Pre-historic monuments , Old coins in a numismatic gallery, Scriptures in stone & Plaster of Paris, Copies of mural paintings etc & the collection from the Cochin royal family. In the earlier days the museum was the Durbar Hall of Cochin Rajas where guests were welcomed, and where official ceremonies and meetings were held. Now under the State Archaeological Department.

Beema Palli Mahotsavam:

Beema Palli is a mosque situated on the coast, nearly 5 kms south of Trivandrum city. The shrine is dedicated to Beema Beevi, a pious muslim lady believed to have divine powers.

Nearest Petrol Pump

IOC Petrol Pump
Thirumala
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Vazhuthacaud
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Statue General Hospital Road
Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Petrol Pump
Chalai
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Thampanoor Petrol Pump
Thycaud
Thiruvananthapuram Kerala.

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Sunday Bed and Breakfast
Valiathura,Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695008
0474 6957056.

Beach Bungalow
Beach P.O., Shanghumugham
Trivandrum, Kerala 695007
0471 2500741.

Keys Hotels Trivandrum
Opposite Fire Brigade
Housing Board Junction
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695001
Tel: 09820451618.

Fortune Hotel The South Park
M. G. Road, Trivandrum
Kerala 695034
Tel: 0471 2333333.

SP GRAND DAYS Hotel
Railway Station Rd,Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695014
Tel: 0471 2333344.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Pothencode Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Vizhinjam Police Station
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nedumangad Police Station
Nedumangad
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Nearest Hospital:

ROY MEDICAL CENTRE
Thycaud Hospital Road, Opp. Amritha Hotel
Trivandrum, Kerala 695014
Tel: 09387809779.

KIMS Hospital
Trivandrum, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2447575.

Chaithanya Eye Hospital
Kesavadasapuram, Trivandrum
Kerala 695004
Tel: 0471 2447183.

Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Tel: 0471 2722125.

Medical College Hospital
TrivandrumKerala-
Tel: 0471 2444270.

Divya Prabha Eye Hospital
Nalumukku Medical College Rd
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011
Tel: 0471 2442050.

Link:

http://shaijub.blogspot.com/2009/09/shanghumugham-beach.html
http://bonchibuji.blogspot.com/2009/02/shanghumugham-beach.html
http://beaches-in-kerala.blogspot.com/2009/03/shanghumugham-beach.html
http://spiritoftravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/shanghumugham-beach-trivandrum.html
http://kerala-beach-shanghumugham.blogspot.com/2008/04/kerala-beach-shanghumugham.html
http://beachresortsindia.blogspot.com/2009/01/sankhumugham-beach-kerala.html
http://keralavisitor.blogspot.com/2009/06/beaches-and-ayurveda-resorts-and-spa.html

Location info

• Address: Shanghumugham, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

• District: Thiruvananthapuram district.

• Nearest City: Kanyakumari, Madurai, Kochi , Nedumangad, veli, valiyachala, Kollam, Trivendrum.

• Best time to visit: November to May.

Climate & weather

The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and The temperature normally ranges between 27º and 32º C.

Things to do at Shanghumugham Beach

You acn do many things here, See the huge sculpture of a ‘Nymph’ (Jalakanyaka) made by the famous sculptor Sri Kanai Kunjuraman is a great attraction.A star-shaped restaurant is also seen here. Fishing is an attractive scene in Shanghumugham Beach.Shanghumugham beach wears a festive look during the temple festivals. An indoor recreation club, children’s traffic training park and a starfish restaurant are some of the facilities at the beach.

Things to carry

Clothes, food and water, Camera is useful here.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Kerala. 4G is reliable in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and along the coastal belt. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain backwater stretches. Most hotels, houseboats, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Kerala’s beaches have seafood shacks serving fresh catch of the day — karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish), crab roast, and prawn curry. Beach areas (Kovalam, Varkala, Cherai) have cliff-top cafes and beachside restaurants with excellent views. Traditional Kerala snacks like banana chips, pazham pori, and ela ada are widely available.

Accessibility

The beach is accessible from the main road by a short walk across sand. Wheelchair access may be limited due to soft sand. The nearest approach road ends at the beach entrance, and beach wheelchairs are generally not available. Visitors with mobility concerns may find the shacks and parking area more accessible than the beach itself.

Rules & restrictions

Dress modestly — Kerala is culturally conservative. Swimming at certain beaches can be dangerous due to strong currents and riptides — observe lifeguard flags. Alcohol is regulated; some beach areas have restrictions. Many beaches near temples or fishing communities appreciate conservative dress. Plastic bans are enforced across Kerala.

Best photography spots

Kerala’s coastline offers some of India’s most photogenic beach scenes: Chinese fishing nets silhouetted at sunset in Kochi, the dramatic cliffs of Varkala, the lighthouse and crescent beach at Kovalam, and the tranquil palm-fringed stretches of Marari. The fishing communities, colourful boats, and golden-hour light create stunning images.

Best time to visit Shanghumugham Beach

The best time to visit Shanghumugham Beach is from November to February when the weather is pleasant with low humidity and clear skies, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. March to May is hot and humid but less crowded. The monsoon season (June–September) brings rough seas and many water activities are restricted, though the coastline looks lush and dramatic.

Timings & opening hours

Beaches are accessible 24 hours. However, swimming and water activities are recommended only during daylight hours (6:00 AM–6:00 PM) when lifeguards are present. Early mornings (6:00 AM–8:00 AM) are ideal for walks and sunrise views.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry to all beaches in Kerala is free. Parking fees may apply (INR 10–30 for two-wheelers, INR 30–50 for cars). Charges for water sports, beach chairs, and umbrellas are separate and vary by vendor.

Duration needed

2–3 hours. Visitors often spend half a day relaxing, swimming, and enjoying beachside dining. Sunset viewing typically takes 30–45 minutes.

Safety tips

Swimming at Shanghumugham Beach should be done only in designated areas and during lifeguard duty hours. Beware of strong riptides and undertows — red flags indicate dangerous conditions. Never swim alone, especially late in the evening. Avoid alcohol before swimming. Keep valuables in a safe place or leave them at your accommodation. Supervise children at all times near the water.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) (approximately 0 km). Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The destination is well-connected by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and private taxis from major towns.

History of Shanghumugham Beach

Shanghumugham Beach, like many beaches along the Kerala coast, has been part of the region’s maritime history for centuries. Kerala’s beaches were important trading posts on the Spice Route, connecting the Malabar Coast with traders from Arabia, Portugal, Holland, and China. The beach area has evolved from a fishing village centre to a popular tourist destination while still maintaining its coastal character and fishing community traditions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shanghumugham Beach safe for swimming? — Yes, swimming is generally safe in designated areas during lifeguard hours (typically 8:00 AM–6:00 PM). Always observe flag warnings: red flags indicate dangerous conditions. Are there changing rooms and showers? — Basic changing facilities and freshwater showers are available at most popular beaches. Beach shacks and some local stalls may charge a small fee. What is the best time to visit? — Early morning (6:00 AM–8:00 AM) for peaceful walks and sunrise, or late afternoon (4:00 PM–6:00 PM) for sunset views and cooler temperatures. Are water sports available? — Water sports availability varies by beach. Popular beaches may offer parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boat rides, and speed boat rides through private operators. Is there accommodation nearby? — Yes, a range of options from budget homestays to luxury resorts are available within walking distance or a short drive.