Cherai Beach - 5 Things to Know Before Visiting
Beaches
Harbours
Things to know
About Cherai Beach
The 15 km stretch of beautiful beach lined with paddy fields, backwater, coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets.
Hotels near Cherai Beach
Hotels to stay near Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach, the 15 km beach is one of the longest beaches in Kerala. This picturesque beach is located at Vypin Island, sandwiched between of the Arabian Sea on one side and the backwaters of Cherai on the other.
Lined with coconut groves, pine trees and paddy fields at one end and the Chinese fishing nets and the harbour at the other, the beach offers magnificent views. The beach is clean and shallow in most places making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Lucky visitors will be even presented with the playfulness of dolphins that are occasionally spotted in the waters.
Exploring Cherai Beach
The southern portions of the beach is lined with paddy fields. In the northern most side, the beach comes in contact with the backwaters of Cherai, the canal and waterways connecting to nearby Kollam District, and the mighty Periyar River. The shore at northern part is lined with Chinese fishing nets. There is a fishing harbour called Munambam Fishing Harbour located near the fishing nets where locals flock to buy fresh seafood directly from the fishers.
Before the beach was popular, most of the locals in Cherai Village were into fishing and the traces of it can be seen with the presence of the fishing nets and the harbour. With the easy availability of seafood, there are numerous restaurants along the beach offering a wide variety of freshly cooked seafood.
Except of the monsoon season from June to October, the sands of the beach span for kilometres in a long uninterrupted stretch. The beach will be decorated with sea shells and crabs, and eagles overhead wait for a chance to pluck their meal. The beach is shallow in most of the places but it can get deep and dangerous at some parts. Before getting in the waters, it is advisable to ask the locals or the guards about the safe areas. During monsoon season, the water can cover most part of the beach and the sea will be much rougher with high waves and strong currents.
Pallipuram Fort - the small fort in ruins
Near to the Munambam beach is a small fort in ruins known as Pallipuram Fort. Pallipuram Fort (also known as Ayakkota and Alikkota) is one of the oldest European monuments in India believed to be built in the year 1503 by the Portuguese. It is not a large building, rather a three stories hexagonal structure. The fort was surrendered to the Dutch in 1663 after they captured Cochin from Portuguese, and later in 1789 it was purchased by the King of the Travancore Kingdom. Today it is a protected monument of the State Archeological Department of Kerala.
Getting to Cherai Beach and best time to visit
Cherai Beach is located in Vypin Island in Ernakulam District of Kerala State in Southern India. The nearest towns are North Paravur (5 km) and Kodungallur (15 km) from where there are buses to the island. North Paravur and Kodungallur are well connected from Ernakulam City by buses. The nearest major railway station is in Aluva from where there are straight buses to North Paravur.
It is best to visit the beaches after the monsoon season from June to October. The waves and the currents can get very big and strong during monsoon. The beach is amazing for its views of the sunset so make it a point to visit there in the evening.
Activities Around
Attractions Near Cherai Beach
Cheraman Juma Masjid
8.34km from Cherai Beach
The very first mosque in India constructed in the time of Prophet Muhammad.
St. Thomas Shrine
10.81km from Cherai Beach
The first Christian church of India, and the resting place for many saints.
Kadamakkudy Islands
12.7km from Cherai Beach
A cluster of small islands spread in backwaters and filled with paddy fields and fishing nets. The area is famous for fish farms and a kayak through the waters treats you with great views. This area is devoid of all the noice and hustle of Cochin city, one truely hidden gem which is very easily reachable for people in Cochin. The place is especiallly beautiful during sunrise and sunsets.
Vallarpadam Basilica
18.62km from Cherai Beach
Vallarpadam Basilica (National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam) is a major Christian pilgrim center of India. Around one million people visit the Basilica every year, it is the most important Marian Shrine in India. The picture of Mary and Infant Jesus at the top of the main altar was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco Da Gama in 1524. The two towers has viewing decks that is open to visitors as well.
Museum Of Kerala History
18.87km from Cherai Beach
One of the best museums to visit in Kerala. It consists of three galleries- the Museum of Kerala History, the Dolls Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art, showing different aspects of Kerala's culture and history.
Discover More Attractions in Ernakulam, Home of Cherai Beach
Location of Cherai Beach
What Visitors Say About Cherai Beach
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Nithin Mathew
2018-04-14
Cherai beach looks the best in evening. The beach is relatively clean (atleast the sections we were in), not too deep and offers and array of adventure activities ranging from kayaking, wind surfing etc.. In the evening, the beach becomes alive with Street food shops and carnivals.
There are many resorts surrounding the beach from where one could have a relaxing weekend. We swimmed in the sea (I am terrified of the sea, sucker for swimming), took long walks and just idled in the resort enjoying it's pool and the wind. The cool thing about the beach is that one side of it there is the sea and in the other side the backwaters.
The best view was in the evening when the sun was setting. The sky was immersed in red, orange and yellow, creating a romantic view.Comments
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