Beaches in Kerala

Doppelwhipper

We just spent a while in Varkala and really liked it. We're doing the houseboat thing tomorrow from Alleppey and looking for somwhere to go after that has a nice, clean beach that you can swim at.

Any suggestions?

CliveG

Try Cherai Beach near Cochin - the water is clean and I have not experienced strong currents there so safe to swim.

Blue_Max

I have been to Cherai beech few times.
Really great beaches with hardly anyone else most of the time.
We swim near where the fishing boats are. Fishermen are happy to tell us about places to avoid.

After the bridges linking up with Ernakulam got completed few years back, you can easily drive up there and back. When you get nearer, try and find the small roads with water on both sides.
On the return journey take the main road. You will see Chinese fishing nets, where you can stop and buy fresh sea food.

There is an unobtrusive resort near the beach, mainly for westerners.

Cherai is very nice right now. Hope it will not get spoilt like Goa of these days.

Doppelwhipper

Great, thanks!

Doppelwhipper

Where did you guys stay? I rang the crowd listed in the Lonely Planet but a basic room with no AC was 3500 which is way over our budget. LP claimed rooms were 1000-2500 for non AC but I guess it's desperately out of date.

Blue_Max

Two and a half years ago, rather than being away from the town with relatives, we stayed in a 3-star hotel in a good part of Ernakulam. Rs.800 with A/C. Hotel Aiswarya, Warriam Road. aiswaryahotel.com
It was in the Rough Guide or the Lonley Planet.
Another one I once visted couple of times (but not stayed) is Hotel Excellency. hotelexcellency.com
Few hundred meters from Hotel Aiswarya.

There are many very cheap places but best to avoid for various reasons.

Check out their website, email the manager and ask him for discounts. The counter staff tried to charge me the full amount. Make sure to print out the email and confirm price it before you check-in.

But you may like to consider staying in Fort Cochin. Not so crowded and many sites to see.

CliveG

Try www.cheraihotels.com which gives a list of accommodation and prices - some seem very reasonable.

vandy

Nice link Clive,

Really looking forward to Visiting Cherrai Beach area & surrounds.

rgds

vandy

Blue_Max

Yes, very useful link. I did not know Cherai had so many places to stay! Very tempting

Other than travelling by car, what are other methods of getting to Cherai from Kochi/Ernakulam?

CliveG

You can take the ferry to Vypeen island from Ernakulam and then an auto to Cherai beach.

butterball

You will find this very helpful as I did..

Enjoy!

francevale

thanks butterball!
very useful link

Rockyp44

Is it appropriate for women to wear swimsuits there or are Tshirt and shorts better?

Is there a ferry from Ft. Cochin to Vypeen and how much is the rickshaw to the beach?

Thanks.

CliveG

Swimsuits are no problem but you may get looks from the local lads! Yes there is a ferry from Fort Kochi also a ferry from Willingdon Island goes to Vypeen. Don't know the cost of an auto but it won't be much and there are buses from the ferry to the beach as an alternative.

Blue_Max

Ferry to Vypeen and then to Cherai Beach is a lovely route. Auto to Cherai beach is better as the buses tend to be crowed at times. But catching an auto or taxi in India is one of the few things that I really dislike. If the driver think that you are local you pay the right fare after a little haggling. If you are an Indian but a stranger you pay double. If you are from the west, sky is the limit!

They all got meters fitted, as required by the law, and there are union agreed rates, but such things are not enforced.

Sprays and creams can tackle mosquitoes, but is there a way to deal with auto/taxi drivers?!