Papanasam Beach, Varkala - Timings, Water Sports, Best Time to Visit
#1 of 21 Places to Visit in Varkala
Distance (From Varkala Railway Station): 3 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of about 3 km from Varkala Railway Station, Papanasam Beach is a serene beach located in the coastal town of Varkala in the Trivandrum district of Kerala. It is one of the popular beaches near Trivandrum, and among the must-include places in Varkala tour packages.
Also known as Papanasham Beach, Varkala Beach is a cliff beach situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Varkala is the second-best Kerala beach resort after Kovalam. Often called the Pearl of the Arabian Sea, this is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These cliffs are of tertiary sedimentary formation and are named by geologists as Varkala Formation. They are a geological monument as recorded by the Geological Survey of India.
Surrounded by stunning cliffs and adorn with golden sand, it is a quite clean beach and is less commercialized while compared to Kovalam and Goa Beaches. The beach is renowned for its natural spring which is considered to have medicinal and curative properties. It is believed that a dip in the holy waters of the beach can cure the body ailments and sins, hence the name 'Papanasam Beach'. People prefer this shore for their offering of VAVUBALI in honor of ancestors and relatives whose souls are in rest.
One can swim and involve in fishing in the pristine water of the beach. Besides, the beach also offers several activities like boat riding, horse riding, parasailing, and jetting that will surely leave you with a memorable experience for a lifetime. The quiet clean beach of Varkala is also famous for its spa, and ayurvedic centers, offering the best treatments and therapies.
Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM
Entry: Free