DISCOVERING SECLUDED BEACHES IN KERALA

Known as God’s Own Country, Kerala is a tropical paradise of waving palm trees, backwaters, mountains and wide, sandy beaches.  Blessed with great natural beauty and with nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline, it comes as no surprise that you’ll discoved some of India’s best beaches in Kerala along South India’s Malabar Coast. Apart from the more popular beaches of Varkala and Kovalam, there are many secluded Beaches of Kerala where you can rejuvenate your mind and get away from it all.

• Planning a trip to Kerala? Click here for our comprehensive Travel Guide to Kerala’s Beaches, Backwaters & More
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Here are our top five picks discovering secluded beaches in Kerala for your next India getaway:

MARARI BEACH

Quiet and almost untouched, Marari beach is located not far from Aleppey, allowing you to spend time between the great backwaters and beaches in Kerala on board a houseboat. Marari is named after the small and sleepy fisherman’s village of Mararikulam. The beach has soft golden sand and the sea is warm and clear with moderate currents depending on the season. 

Best time to visit

Marari is warm and humid throughout the year. Rain is received from both the southwest and northeast monsoons, which produces heavy downpours. The rainy season is from June to July, and late October to December. Best months to visit Marari is between late December to March when the weather is dry and sunny. From April to May, the heat and humidity rises with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius.

Where to Stay

As one of the better beaches in Kerala, there are a number of beachfront resorts and homestays along Marari Beach. 

Xandari Pearl offers a tranquil beach experience. With just 27 villas sprawled across 18 acres of land, you’ll definitely feel like you’re in your very own private hideaway. Freshness is guaranteed on all counts, with the in-house restaurant using organic produce from the gardens and the day’s catch from the waters. The resort also offers yoga by the beach, Ayurvedic treatments in their on-site spa and houseboat stays. 

 Getting There

The nearest train station is in Alappuzha, 30 minutes away by car from Mararikulam. The nearest international airport is in Cochin International Airport which is 1hour 30minutes away by car.

NATTIKA BEACH

The serene Nattika Beach stretches 3kms long with soft sandy golden shores which makes it one of the most picturesque beaches in Kerala. Home to a typical fishermen’s village with longstanding traditions and simple inhabitants, Nattika Beach’s celebrity status as one of the nicest beaches of Kerala was cemented after becoming the location where the Malayalam cult classic movie, Chemeen, was filmed.

Best time to visit

Climate wise, the best time to visit Nattika Beach in Thrissur is between October to March. However, you should try to schedule a visit during one of the festivals celebrated with great pomp and show including the famous Thrissur Pooram Festival during the summer months of April and May.  

Where to stay

Blending Ayurveda with architecture, Kadappuram Beach Resort is built in a traditional style using only locally available natural materials. The resort has a lakeside restaurant which serves varieties of organic Kerala kitchen delicacies. The concept of this resort is to cure with ayurveda while enjoying the village life and beach life of Kerala. For enquiries and bookings, send an email to kadappuram@bsnl.in

Getting there

The nearest train station is in Thrissur, 50 minutes away by car from Nattika Beach. The nearest international airport is Cochin International Airport which is 1hour 45minutes away by car.

ADIKADALAYI BEACH

Not much has been mentioned about this secluded beach of Adikadalayi . Situated in the northern part of Kerala in a small green village of Adikadalayi, just 6km away from the town of Kannur, this lesser-known beach is a total hideaway for those seeking solitude away from the masses. Adikadalayi Beach is where you’ll come across local fishermen coming in with their catch of mussels during the mornings and where you’ll also witness spectacular views of Kerala’s famous pink sunsets in the evenings with strong sea breeze blowing in your hair. As an added bonus, there is even a small backwater village in between the shore and the sea, making it one of the more unique beaches in Kerala.

Best time to visit

Being located in the tropical region near the coast, Adikadalayi witnesses scorching sun with sudden rises in the humidity levels during the summer months of March to May and temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees Celcius during the daytime. The best time to visit the beaches in Kerala in Northern Kannur is between December to early March where temperatures are milder but the sun will still be shining bright. 

Where to stay

Exquisitely landscaped by the seashore of Arabian Sea and situated atop a lush green cliff lies Seashell Haris Beach Home. This intimate homestay offers breathtaking views of the coastline and each room is facing the sea to ensure you get the best views on offer. Adikadalayi beach is directly below the homestay and is easily accessible via a dedicated access. 

 Getting there

The nearest train station is in Kannur, 15 minutes away by car from Adikadalayi Beach. The nearest international airport is Calicut International Airport which is 3hours 20minutes away by car.

NILESHWAR BEACH / OZHINHAVALAPPU BEACH

Nileshwar Beach, also known locally as Ozhinhavalappu Beach is a lesser known destination found in the district of Kasargod in Northern Kerala. Take a stroll down the miles of sand and you could still be the only one walking along the beach. The idyllic Nileshwar beach is well-maintainted by the handful of resorts along the stretch. With golden and black sand, lined with palm trees and surrounded by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, this beach is truly a tranquil paradise and one of the must-see beaches in Kerala.

Best time to visit

Summers are warm and pleasant in Kasargod, April and May are considered the warmest months of the year. Temperature remains high during the daytime in comparison to the night time. There are frequent rainfalls during this season. It is considered as one of the best times to visit the place.

Where to stay

A hidden tropical destination set in a secluded palm grove beside the Arabian Sea in Northern Kerala, Neeleshwar Hermitage is one of India’s finest gems. Authentic ayurveda and spa treatments, a huge infinity pool and a deliciously varied cuisine – everything combines to induce a sense of complete relaxation and harmonious wellbeing at this seaside resort. 

 Getting there

The nearest train station is in Nileshwar, 15 minutes away by car from Nileshwar Beach. The nearest international airport is Mangaluru International Airport which is 2hours 20minutes away by car or Calicut International Airport which is 4.4 hours away by car.

KAPPIL BEACH

One of the best kept secret beaches in Kerala, Kappil Beach in Kasargod is a sun-soaked beach with rich golden sand surrounded by the shimmering waters of the Arabian sea and casuarina trees. With no beach shacks and restaurants around except for the Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, the beach is tranquil and suitable for sunseekers who want to work on their tan and laze around all day without any distractions. As there are hardly any tourists around, Kappil Beach is one of the best secluded beaches in Kerala and also the ideal romantic place to watch the beautiful Keralan sunset. 

Best time to visit

October to March generally has the best beach weather and is perfect for all beach lovers to Kappil. Heavy monsoon rain in June to August may not be ideal for this beach getaway.

Where to stay

Spread across 26 acres and a mere 3-minute walk to Kappil Beach, the luxurious Taj Bekal Resort & Spa give you some much needed solitude, wellness and even adventure. A confluence of the backwaters and the sea makes this place truly remarkable. The scenic Kappil River flows through Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Kerala, offering a selection of activities from fishing to boating. The resort also houses their internationally-acclaimed Jiva Spa where trained therapists will provide you with the best Kerala Ayurveda experience. 

 Getting there

The nearest train station is Bekal Fort, 10 minutes away by car or Kasargod, 20 minutes away by car from Taj Bekal Resort & Spa. The nearest international airport is Mangaluru International Airport which is 1hour 50minutes hours away by car.

SunStyleFiles was part of the Kerala Blog Express 5, organised by the Department of Tourism, Kerala. The two-week road trip covered Southern to Northern Kerala and gave us the opportunity to discover some of the secluded beaches in Kerala, staggering greenery, mystical waterways and enchanting traditions. 

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