Nature/ Scenic

Elaveezha Poonchira is yet another picnic spot accessible from Pala and located in the midst of beautiful hills.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls : Pay a visit to the picturesque Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls Located 18km from Kottayam town, 2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this beautiful picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 100 ft.

The place is located seven kilometers from Kovalam. There are boat services available from Kovalam. It is one of the few freshwater lakes in Kerala that looks enchanting in the moonlight. The Vellayani Lake is the venue of world famous annual boat race organized during Onam festival. The Vellayani Durga Temple is located close to the lake; the specialty of this temple is that it allows only non-Brahmin priests.

It is situated around ten kilometers away from Kovalam. The coastline of this region up to Kovalam is visible from this pier. The Valiyathura literally means 'Big Port'. There is another port in this region named Cheriyathura, literally means 'small port'. This place offers excellent views of the setting sun and sea. Angling is the major activity here.

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To the north most is another beach called Samudra Beach. This beach is the least affected by all the changes that take place in the region. You can see a few fishing vessels here and there on the horizon.

Neyyar dam is located 32 kms from the capital of Kerala. It was built in 1958 and has turned out to be a popular picnic spot. This area is rich in herbs used for medicine. The dam is built on the basin where the three rivers Neyyar, Mullayar, and Kallar meet. There is also a wild life sanctuary established to preserve the wild life. A number of wild life animals including elephants are found here. Also built around the dam are some exciting Lion safari & deer safari parks. There is a crocodile farm and a watchtower is also built.

In the extreme south of Kovalam is the magnificent Lighthouse Beach. The name comes from the towering Vizhinjam lighthouse which is built on a rocky headland. Tourists are not allowed to go inside the lighthouse. Around the light house are memorials of Ayyanappilla Asan and Ayyippilla Asan which are visited by tourists in abundance. The beach is a long sandy strip. Lifegaurds are available along the whole beach side. The back side if the lighthouse beach is concreted and illuminated and is a great eat out place. You can almost get all kinds of sea food and all tastes.

The Hawa beach which is also called the Eve's Beach is one of the tourists' attractions that is not to be missed by anyone. The Hawa and the kovalam beach are separated from each other by the Edakallu foreland. The sunset in its entire splendor can be viewed from this headland.

Edakallu is the popular sunset viewing point that lies between the Lighthouse Beach and Eve's Beach. It offers enchanting view of the red and orange sun setting in the horizon with amazing new patterns in the sky. It is one of the best places to view the sunset in Kovalam and the best place to capture the photos of different patterns of the beautiful sky.

Aruvikkara dam is located ten kilometers from Kovalam. It is a beautiful picnic spot on the shores of Karamana River. The Durga temple and fish tank are the main attractions. Aruvikkara dam provides water to the capital city. The place is easily accessible by road.