Things to do in Kovalam

Kovalam, about 13 km south-east of the centre, is a crescent of three beaches divided by rocky headlands: Lighthouse Beach under the 36-metre Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach. The tourist season runs roughly from November to March, when beachfront restaurants, resort lawns and hotel ballrooms host live music, yoga retreats, surf events, weddings and the district's biggest New Year's Eve parties. Kerala Arts and Crafts Village at Vellar, just before the beach, adds craft studios, an amphitheatre and music festivals. The Kovalam Marathon runs along this coast, usually in September. Buses from East Fort take about 40 minutes.