Varkala Beach

About Varkala Beach

Varkala Beach is about 52 km away from Thiruvanathapuram, is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun melting into the sea would blossom your poetic sense.The mineral water gushing from the hill is believed to have medicinal properties. The Varkala sands has become an ideal spot for confluence of cultures exotic and alien.Varkala is a sea side resort, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage. High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.A dip in the holy waters of Varkala beach is believed to purge the body and the soul of all the sins hence the name ‘Papanashini’ for this shore. At the break of dawn following the new moon in the Malayalam month of ‘Karkidakam’, thousands offer ‘Vavu Bali’, a ritual believed to help the souls of ancestors rest in peace.The 2000 year old Janardana Swamy Temple and the Nature Centre are the two main attractions here. High cliffs border the excellent beach.It’s a beautiful beautiful beach that has a more than 2000 years old shrine of Lord Vishnu. Varkala beach is rich in mineral water springs that are known for their medicinal value.Varkala Beach is also famous for its landscape. A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold as the sun and sea are tinged with crimson and vermilion. See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.Varkala beach is famous for mineral springs and a fantastic massage, so don’t forget to bring aromatherapy massage oil and sun protection. The mineral springs here are said to have curative properties. The massage technique has been a closely guarded secret for thousands of years, but for many tourists it’s a welcome revival from the toils of the road. Varkala Beach is also famous for its landscape. A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold as the sun and sea are tinged with crimson and vermilion. See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Varkala Beach is an ideal location for those looking for a relaxed and quieter holiday. The beach with its brown sand, panoramic landscape and seascapes is a tropical paradise. Today, this beach attracts hundreds of locals, as well as tourists, all year round. Swimming can be fun here. But the waves are quite strong and usually break very close to the beach. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, the beach offers a variety of beach activities including volleyball, water sports such as Parasailing, Scuba diving, wind surfing etc. Every year, the dawn after the appearance of the new moon in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, numerous people offer “Vavubali/Vavu bali”. This offering is supposed to help the souls of deceased ancestors rest in peace. The beach has many resorts where one can stay for a few days and enjoy the calm and composed nature, thus refreshing themselves. The beach is also famous for its Nature Cure Center, which is a famous tourist attraction of this beach.

Interesting things to Visit

Papanasam Beach:

Varkala beach is the best spot along Kerala coast for watching sunset. The sight of the sun sinking into the sea would stimulate your poetic sense.

Anjengo Fort, Varkala:

Near to varkala is the site of the Dutch East India Company’s main garrison, Anjengo Fort. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the fort protected their powerful position in the state.

Kappil Lake:

At the outskirts of Varkala town, the lake gives way to the scenic world of the Kerala backwaters.

Varkala Tunnel:

This 924 ft tunnel was built in the19th century and it took nearly 14years to be completed. A prominent tourist attraction in Varkala, the tunnel is a must-visit site on your tour to Varkala.

Ananda Valleeswaram Temple:

The Ananda Valleeswaram Temple of Kollam attracts people on almost all days. There are several Churches and Mosques around Kollam. The Pullichira Church was established in 1700 A.D. Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing.

Sivagiri temple:

Sivagiri Mutt set in picturesque hill of Sivagiri near Varkala have now become a place of pilgrimage with great fanfare.Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding, rituals all mark the celebrations in Sivagiri hills.Sree Narayana Guru was one of the greatest social reformers of India and a contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi. His call for equality among people found a great following.His teachings have had a profound effect on the caste-ridden society of Kerala and helped the state achieve great social progress when compared to the ther states of India.

Janardhana Temple:

This temple is more than 2000 year old, Janardhana Temple is one of the important tourist attractions in Varkala. The original temple was a Vishnu shrine, which was destroyed by tidal waves. Many years later a Pandyan king rebuilt the shrine. Non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the inner sanctum sanctorum.

Nearest Visiting places

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Flora and Fauna:

Brilliantly colored flowers, striking in variety beauty, the dense green foliage, the natural vegetation, the exotic water birds and others flora and fauna make your tour on the Thiruvallam Backwaters an unending bag of pleasant surprises

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.

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 Rs. 300 (to and fro). It also houses an amusement park and a swimming pool for children. Tourists often visit this Club to picnic with friends and family.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Varkala Homestay
Helipad, Varkala Beach
Kerala 695141
0470 2608866.

Seashore Beach Resort Varkala
South Cliff, West Janardhana Swamy Temple
Varkala, Kerala 695141
09846179900.

Hindustan Beach Retreat
Papanasam Beach, Janardhanapuram
Varkala, Trivandrum
Kerala 695141
0470 2604254.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Police Station
Varkala Police Station
Kerala
Tel: 0470 2602333

Kallambalam Police Station
NH 47, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala

Kollam East Police Station
Kollam, Kerala
Tel: 0474 2742072

Nearest Hospital:

Stavyah Lifecare
Stavyah Lifecare Services Pvt. Ltd
Near Varkala Court, Varkala,
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695141
Tel: 0470 2607766.

Divya Prabha Eye Hospital
Kumarapuram, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala 695011
Tel: 0471 2442050.

AJU’S DENTAL CARE CENTRE
Trivandrum Bypass Rd
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695024
Tel: 0471 2476304.

Link:

http://xpresstravel.blogspot.com/2009/08/tour-to-varkala-beach.html
http://varkalahome.blogspot.com/2009/06/la-exotica-homestay-varkala-beach.html
http://keralaforall.blogspot.com/2009/07/papanasham-beach-varkala-varkala-beach.html
http://ilafabindia09.blogspot.com/2009/07/varkala-beach-28th-to-30th-of-may.html
http://tourismstoindia4all.blogspot.com/2009/06/varkala-beach.html

Location info

• **Address:**Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram district, kerala, India

• District: Thiruvananthapuram district

• **Nearest City:**Trivandrum, Kovalam, Cochin.

• Best time to visit: March to April.

Climate & weather

The Climate is Tropical and Humid. The Weather Temparature ranges from Summer(Humid): Mar - May: 25°c-33°c / Summer Max: 35°c. and Monsoon(Cloudy): Jun-mid - Sep: 21°c-27°c / Winter Min: 15°c. Winter(Pleasant): Sep - Feb: 22°c-28°c

Things to do at Varkala Beach

See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, the beach offers a variety of beach activities including volleyball, water sports such as Parasailing, Scuba diving, wind surfing etc. Every year, the dawn after the appearance of the new moon in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, numerous people offer “Vavubali/Vavu bali”. visit other nearby places.

Nearest petrol pump

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
Varkala Edava Kappil Road
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Indian Oil Petrol Pump
Sivagiri Road
Varkala, Kerala.

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 Varkala Beach

The best time to visit Varkala 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 Varkala 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.

Things to carry

Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat or cap, swimwear, a beach towel or mat, flip-flops or sandals, drinking water (at least 1 litre per person), light snacks, a change of clothes, a waterproof phone pouch, sunscreen for reapplication, and a book or music player for relaxation. If visiting for sunset, carry a light jacket or shawl for the evening breeze.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), approximately 55 km. Nearest Railway Station: Varkala Railway Station itself — Varkala is on the main railway line with direct trains from Trivandrum, Kochi, and other major cities. The cliff area is 2 km from the station.

History of Varkala Beach

Varkala 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 Varkala 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.

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.