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Willingdon Island
This wonderful man made island named after Lord Willindgon, the erstwhile
British Viceroy of India, is surrounded by backwaters and is a very
important part of Cochin. It sites the city's best hotel, the government of
India tourist office, the southern naval command head quarters, the Cochin
port trust and the customs house. Also on this island are the offices of
several major trading and industrial houses.
Lakshadweep Island
About 300 kms from Kerala, Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands located in
the Arabian Sea. Only few of these islands are inhabited and are famous
tourism destination.
Bolgatty Island
The beautiful Bolgatty Place built by the Dutch in 1774, is situated on this
island with a golf course on its grounds and palm trees all around. The KTDC
now runs a hotel there and it is easily accessible from the mainland.
Marine Drive, Cochin
Kozhikode (Calicut Beach tourism)
Beypore
10 kms South of Kozhikode, located at the mouth of the River Chaliyar is
Beypore, a small coastal town and boat building industry which was for
centuries, one of the prominent port and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala.
It was much sought after, by merchants of Western Asia for its boat building
industry and even today, Beypore is still a favourite destination among
Arabs, shopping for large boats. The boat-building yard here is also very
famous today for its country crafts called 'Uru' built by traditional boat
builders, known as Khalasis.
Dolphin's Point
Here one can see in the early hours of the morning dolphins playing in the
sea. The beach, 2kms from Kozhikode town center is a along stretch of tree
lined sand, popular with the local people because of the lions club park,
the lighthouse and the two piers. People love taking long walks here in the
evenings, because of the lovely evening breeze.
Kappad (beach)
16kms from Kozhikode, this is the historic beach where Vaso-da-Gama landed
on 27th May 1498, with 170 men in three vessels. A small stone monument at
the beach commemorates a memorial, which marks the landing place. This rock
studded pleasant beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting
feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea.
The ancient temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. The Kappad
beach resort is one of the leading centers for Ayurvedic Health Holiday in
Kerala.
Thikkoti Lighthouse
22kms from Kozhikode is the lighthouse, which overlooks Velliyamkallu, the
rock much dreaded by navigators, off Moodadi coast, which was built after a
ship, wreck and the remains of which can still be seen here. The
Velliyamkallu rock is the transit home of migratory birds.
Kannur Beach Tourism
Dharmadam Island
About 3 kms from Thalassery lays the small island of 'Dharmadam'. This tiny
5-acre island is covered with coconut palms and green bushes, which is a
beautiful sight from the beach. A bus ride from Thalassery will take one to
the place of destination but permission is required to enter this privately
owned island. This place was earlier known as Dharmattanam, getting its name
from the popular belief that it was a Buddhist monastery earlier, as
Buddha's images are said to been excavated from this place.
Ezhimala Beach
The Ezhimala Beach lies at the northern boundary of Kannur. Rare medical
herbs (Ramayana) with mythological significance grow on Ezhimala, the
strange seven-peaked range. Around 50 kms from here, is the Mount Deli
Lighthouse, an old tower of great antiquity. It's maintained by the Navy and
is a restricted area. The beach sand is of a different texture and the sea
is bluer that in other areas. At the Ettikulam bay one could enjoy watching
dolphins.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Kovalam (Beach Tourism)
12 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the finest beaches in India,
Kovalam. With boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and unwinding miles of fine
sand washed by surf, which roars and hisses at the feet of coconut palms,
Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay. The setting has an illusory quality
about it. A sheet of silvery and curve sand is bordered on one side by azure
blue water and on the other by a never-ending spread of green palm groves. A
high rocky promontory jutting into the sea has created a beautiful bay of
calm waters for sea bathing. One can also sunbathe on the silver sands of
the beach.
Shanghumugham Beach
Situated 8 kms from Thiruvanathapuram city, this is a popular city beach and
favourite haunt for sunset watchers. The other attraction of this beach is "Matsya
Kanyaka"- a 35 metre long sculpture of a mermaid.
Veli Lagoon
On the outskirts of Kerala's capital, Thiruvanthapuram and by the side of
the placid waters of Veli lake, the Boat club attracts the city people and
tourists. Veli Lagoon, developed as a major tourist spot provides various
facilities for entertainment like Pedal boating, row boating, swimming,
get-togethers etc. It is just the right place for an exciting outing and is
easily accessible by road. Hardly 3kms from the airport, the youth hostel at
Veli provides inexpensive dormitory type accommodation.
Wayanad
Kuruva Island
Kuruva Island is around 950 acres of evergreen forest on the banks of River
Themkabani. It is 17 kms east of Mananthavadi. The island is a repository of
rare species of birds, animals, orchids
and herbs.
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