Varkala and Kovalam: A Beach Honeymoon Guide
Varkala or Kovalam for a beach honeymoon in Kerala? Compare vibe, resorts and distance, plus a 6-day route ending by the sea.
After the hills and the backwaters, many couples want to end their Kerala honeymoon with a few slow days by the sea. Kerala’s two most popular beach destinations, Varkala and Kovalam, are both in the south, close to Trivandrum airport, and both are lovely for honeymooners. They have very different personalities, though. This guide helps you choose, and shows how to fit a beach finish into your honeymoon.
Varkala: clifftop sunsets and cafe culture
Varkala is known for its dramatic red laterite cliffs that drop straight onto the beach. A clifftop walkway lined with cafes, small shops and guesthouses runs along the edge, with wide views over the Arabian Sea.
- The vibe: relaxed and bohemian, with yoga studios, cafes and a younger crowd.
- Highlights: sunsets from the cliff, Papanasam Beach, the quieter Black Beach to the north, and the nearby Varkala Janardhana Swamy Temple.
- Stays: boutique resorts and cliff-view cottages, many with pools and sea views.
- Best for: couples who like strolling, good food and a laid-back, social atmosphere.
Kovalam: classic beach resorts
Kovalam has three crescent-shaped beaches separated by rocky headlands: Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. It has been one of India’s best-known beach destinations for decades and has a wide range of resorts.
- The vibe: more traditional resort holiday, with some beautiful luxury properties set on the cliffs and hillsides.
- Highlights: the red-and-white lighthouse and its view, sunset at Lighthouse Beach, Ayurvedic spas and fresh seafood.
- Stays: from beachside hotels to high-end resorts with infinity pools and private sea-view villas.
- Best for: couples who want a polished resort experience and spa time.
Varkala vs Kovalam at a glance
| Varkala | Kovalam | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Trivandrum airport | About 1 to 1.5 hours | About 30 to 40 minutes |
| Atmosphere | Bohemian, cafe culture | Resort holiday |
| Luxury resorts | Fewer, mostly boutique | More choice |
| Evenings | Clifftop cafes and sunset walks | Resort dinners and beachfront restaurants |
| Best for | Easy-going couples who like to explore | Couples who want to relax at their resort |
How to add a beach to your Kerala honeymoon
The easiest way is to end your trip at the beach and fly out of Trivandrum, so you avoid a long drive back to Kochi on your last day.
6-day route with a beach finish
- Day 1: arrive in Kochi, drive to Munnar.
- Day 2: Munnar sightseeing.
- Day 3: Munnar to Thekkady.
- Day 4: private houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom.
- Day 5: drive to Varkala or Kovalam (about 3 hours from Alleppey). Sunset by the sea.
- Day 6: beach morning, then departure from Trivandrum airport.
See our 6-day Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey and Kovalam package and the 7-day Kerala package. If you only have a few days, our 3-day luxury backwater and beach package pairs a houseboat night with a beach stay.
Romantic things to do at the beach
- Watch the sunset from the Varkala cliff or the Kovalam lighthouse.
- Book a couple’s Ayurvedic massage at your resort.
- Have a candlelight dinner by the pool or on the beach (we can arrange this).
- Take a sunrise walk along the shore before the day gets warm.
- Try a fresh seafood dinner at a beachside restaurant.
- Book a short couple photoshoot on the cliffs or at the lighthouse.
Best time for a Kerala beach honeymoon
- October to March: the best months, with sunny days and generally calmer seas. December and January are the busiest.
- April and May: hot. Plan beach time early and late in the day, and choose a resort with a good pool.
- June to September: monsoon. The sea is rough and swimming is not safe, but the beaches are dramatic, quiet and much cheaper.
Safety tips
- Swim only in areas marked as safe and where lifeguards are on duty. Currents can be strong.
- Avoid swimming during the monsoon.
- Take care on the Varkala cliff path after dark, as some sections have no railing.
Our recommendation
Choose Varkala if you want character, cafes and sunset walks. Choose Kovalam if you want a beautiful resort, a spa and an easy final night close to the airport. Either way, a beach finish turns a busy itinerary into a relaxed honeymoon.
Frequently asked questions
Can we swim at Varkala and Kovalam?
Yes, from about October to March in the marked safe areas with lifeguards. Avoid swimming in the monsoon.
How many beach nights do we need?
One night is enough for a sunset and a relaxed morning. Two nights let you fully unwind before flying home.
Which airport is closer?
Trivandrum airport is closest to both, about 30 to 40 minutes from Kovalam and about an hour or more from Varkala.
Ask us to add a beach to your trip, or explore our Kerala honeymoon packages.
Plan your trip with Golden Compass Holidays
Golden Compass Holidays is a Kochi-based travel agency with over 12 years of experience planning Kerala honeymoons, family holidays and tours across India and abroad. We use private houseboats and quality 3-star or better stays, can include flights from your city, and accept card payments. Call +91 80868 00096 or send us an enquiry with your dates and budget, and our team will share a detailed plan.
Sherin Francis is the Managing Director of Golden Compass Holidays, a Kochi-based travel agency she has led since November 2012. She oversees how every Kerala honeymoon, family holiday and India or international tour is planned and priced, and the guides on this site come from the day-to-day work of her team.
