Varkala Beach

Set amid a beautiful setting about 10 km away from the calm and quiet hamlet of Varkala in Kerala, Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasam Beach, is a beautiful stretch of sand renowned for its solitude, unlike other commercial beaches of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The backdrop Arabian Sea against the cliffs of Kerala is a unique one since these sedimentary formation peaks are not found anywhere in the otherwise flat coastline of Kerala.

The beach itself is divided into two parts, the southern area of the beach lying at the end of the road leading from Janardhana Swamy Temple regarded as sacred by Hindus. However, if you are a tourist, the north part of the beach right at the bottom of the cliff is worth going renowned for its natural mineral spring.

The water of Varkala Beach is regarded to have medicinal and curative properties. A dip in the holy water is said to cleanse the body of impurities and all sins and thus the name Papanasam Beach means 'Destroyer of Sins'.

Sunsets at Varkala Beach are especially pristine and call for a serene walk along the beach. Also if you are a seafood lover, then the place is a paradise for you. The eating joints nearby offer some of India's best moth watering and most affordable food.

Activities at Varkala Beach

The golden sand of Varkala Beach is ideal for a typical beach holiday and has a wide variety of exciting activities for every type of traveler. While sightseeing and sunbathing are the best ways to enjoy the pristine beauty of this charming destination you can indulge in the following activities:

1. You can also enjoy a host of thrilling adventure sports such as windsurfing, parasailing, paragliding, and snorkeling. If you wish to skim the waters of the Arabian Sea, surfing here at Varkala Beach is just the right fit for you. You can rent good quality surfing gear from Surf and Soul school and head onto your little adventure.
2. If spending quiet quality time with yourself is on your mind, you can indulge in soothing Ayurvedic and yoga treatments from the famous Yoga and Ayurveda centers here. Meditation and self-awareness sessions are regularly held here which are a welcome break from the stress and anxiety of daily life. Apart from these, art/creative workshops are also offered here.
3. Don't forget to dig into some fantastic local seafood dishes which are quite easily available here at the various small-time shacks nearby.