Location : Kumarakom, Kerala
Beach Activities : Water Sports, Swimming
Best time to Visit : November to March


About Kumarakom Beach
Situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a small town in the south Indian state of Kerala. Infact, the entire town is an archipelago of tiny islands floating in the shimmering waters of Vembanad. The surreal environs laced with mangrove forests, rows of coconut trees and miles long stretches of silvery sands make perfect setting for those looking forward to a laid back and relaxing vacationing experience. Other than its fascinating beach, Kumarakom offers a plethora of opportunities for visitors including bird watching and a cruise through its mesmerising backwaters.

Kumarakom Beach Attractions
Plenty of opportunities filled with fun and repose await you at the Kumarakom beach. Take a walk through the sandy beach while watching the endless games of sea waves or indulge in simple yet fun filled water sports under the guidance of trained professionals. The beach resorts here offer personal swimming spaces carved out of the sea, therefore providing you with the opportunity of enjoying the beach in your own way, away from the crowd.

There are plenty of other attractions around the region such as the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary spread in an area of 14 acres. A boat trip around the islands, especially during early in the morning is the best way to spot rare and beautiful birds. Kumarakom is also one of the most visited backwater destinations of Kerala. There are plenty of opportunities for short as well as long backwater cruises that last for two or more days.

Stay At
Kumarakom is one of the most famous tourist spots in Kerala. The area boasts of umpteen tourist attractions such as backwaters, beaches, bird sanctuary and more, thus visited by numerous visitors throughout the year. Some of the best hotels and resorts in Kumarakom include the Kumarakom Lake Resort (5 star, situated at Pallichira post, the hotel is 70 km from the airport, 14 km from railway station and 10 km from the beach), Water Scapes (4 star, situated at Kavanattinkara, the hotel is 50 km from the airport), Garden Retreat (3 star, situated 115 km from the airport, 16 km from railway station and 12 km from the beach) and Whispering Palms (3 star, situated at New Nazarath Road, the hotel is 70 km from the airport).

Getting There
By Air : Cochin is the nearest airport, situated 76 km from Kottayam town. Daily flights connect Cochin with other major cities in India as well as a few international destinations.

By Rail : Kottayam has its own railway station, situated at a distance of just 16 km from the beach. A daily train connecting Delhi with Kottayam leaves New Delhi at 11:30 and arrives Kottayam at 11:00, the next day. Taxis and other local forms of transport can be boarded to reach the beach from the railway station.

By Road : Well built roads link Kumarakom to all other cities in and around Kerala. The nearest bus terminal is at Kottayam from where regular buses are available to all the major neighbouring cities.

By Sea : A different and memorable experience is to travel by a ferry. If you arrive at Trivandrum, a good option is to travel to Quilon by road and take a ferry to Alleppey from there. From Alleppey, it's a short trip by road to Kottayam.