One of the famous places in Kerala is Munnar covered with sacrosanct tea garden envelope up-and-down mountains show a cooling shade left on folks driving out there. A small hill station covered in mesmerizing attire of tea gardens, the essence of it is so magical. Apart from the magnetic tea gardens that Munnar is known for, there are some picture-perfect beaches near Munnar that many travelers miss out when combined on a holiday with those lush and refreshing tea gardens of Munnar. If you are a beach lover, get ready to virtually float around on the beaches near Munnar.

 

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Beaches Near Munnar- Top 5 List

1. Cherai Beach

Distance from Munnar to Cherai Beach is 132 Kms ( 3 hrs 50 Minutes).

Cherai beach is the closest among popular beaches near Munnar. It is always crowded with holidaymakers doing a variety of things. The 30-km long beach is about 132 kms away from the nearest hill station of Munnar. Situated at a beautiful place near Vypin Island in Kochi, this beach reels visitors in where they can enjoy the fusion of sea waters and backwaters.

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Besides adding to its attraction, the lush green trees all around the beach give it a nice feeling — perfect place to spend weekends or to go on vacation. The hanging netting of the Chinese fishing nets near the beach gives a local flavor, and watching fishermen ply their trade is also a custom.

The whole expanse of the 15-km long beach is ideal for leisurely wandering and around any time of year, it’s a perfect spot where people can spend a day or two taking in nature’s unique beauty. Known as “The Princess of the Arabian Sea”, the beach has an even more magical aspect amid the after-dark when high mask lamps commence lighting and give delight to visitors. It is a soothing thing to walk along the shore and feel the breeze gently brushing past one’s face and hair as if it were similar to an angel’s whisper. There is a park beside the beach where children can play and amuse themselves. And for the adventurous people, speedboats and water scooters can also be hired.

ALSO SEE – Kochi To Munnar- Sightseeing, Distance, Travel Time & Tips

2. Fort Kochi Beach

Distance from Munnar to Fort Kochi Beach is 130 Kms ( 4 hrs 05 Minutes).

Fort Kochi Beach offers a beach, harbor, port as well as a colonial heritage experience which is unique to beaches near Munnar. Fort Kochi beach also has the unique attraction of Chinese fishing nets which is a symbol of Kerala Tourism. It’s great to take a seat and watch the fisherfolk using the Chinese Fishing nets to catch fish every day. You can also sit back and watch the sun slowly disappear over the horizon and your eyes feel refreshed.

Fort Kochi Beach is one of the most popular destinations for New Year Celebrations in Kerala and if you happen to visit the beach before New Year, then be sure to take a look at Cochin Carnival celebrations as well. The beach is usually thronged with tourists from all over the world throughout the year. Vasco Da Gama square is near the beach and here you can enjoy some tasty food as well. There are seafood restaurants and shacks all around the Fort Kochi Beach.

 

ALSO SEE – Top 5 Tourist Places In Kerala-Pictures, Tips and Attractions

 

3. Alappuzha Beach (Alleppey Beach)

Distance from Munnar to Alleppey Beach is 162 Kms ( 4 hrs 30 Minutes).

Alappuzha or Alleppey is popular because of the beautiful backwaters and houseboats. Alleppey beach is also fascinating even though not as famous as the backwaters. Situated at a comfortable distance of 162 km from Munnar, Alleppey is an ancient town and beach has a long pier and a weather-beaten lighthouse. The Pier is 150 years old. When you walk down onto it you will be right in the middle of the sea. Palm groves on the shore of the beach produce a balmy breeze that is most conducive to a relaxed mood. There is a beach park named Vijaya, where several amusement facilities are available. You can engage in many adventurous water sports such as swimming, parasailing & much more. Last but not least is that your beach should have a football pavilion right beside it. Among many tourist festivals in Alleppey are the Sand Art Festival and Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

4. Varkala Beach

Distance from Munnar to Varkala Beach is 248 Kms ( 6 hrs 37 Minutes).

Varkala  is not a very big beach, it is a small beach, they have fenced it completely because it is quite deep here. It is really beautiful. if you look at the cliff from above, it is very beautiful, and when you come down it is just like a normal beach. Going in the water was not possible due to the high tide, but you can at least stroll on the beach.

Varkala essentially means “destroyer of sins” The place is well-named; it boasts not only of beautiful sea water and greenery, but also gives a varied cliff terrain with excellent views in all directions. The northern part of the beach is the most favored place for climbers. It is facing northward straight ahead of us, and stands immediately at the foot of a cliff, on top of very rich rocks.

It is widely believed that the water near Varkala beach is energized and valued for its alleged healing properties. Many people swim in the waters as an act of purification, reflecting the religious belief that has been passed down among locals. You’ll also find facilities for spa treatments and swimming in the sun.

You can take a leisurely walk along the beach, feeling the atmosphere’s charm to your bones and brain. If you are very lucky, sometimes you can see a few dolphins in the sea. There is a variety of activities like paragliding, snorkeling on the coral reef, parasailing & windsurfing.

5. Kovalam Beach

Distance from Munnar to Kovalam Beach – 292 Kms ( 7 hrs 37 Minutes).

Whenever there is talk of Kerala, this iconic lighthouse in Kovalam is mentioned. Kovalam is  so close to the crowded city life of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Kovalam Beach is famous for its  iconic lighthouse . Entry  ticket to lighthouse is for ₹20, ₹10 is spent extra for the camera.

Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam is a classic place in the south of Kerala where the beach is especially grand and famous for the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Surrounded by palm trees, it looks just like those lighthouses in story books. Made of strong stone, this lighthouse has also been painted in clever stripes of red and white. There is a spiral staircase that helps the traveler up to the top so as not only to overlook but indeed be drawn into views of this marvel of nature. The beach palms and groves add considerably to its great beauty.

There are all kinds of adventure sports for fun on the beach, such as swimming, surfing, paragliding and parasailing. Furthermore, there are a wide range of restaurants with good food and drink. To sleep on the beach, with its sound of waves coming and going, that’s no problem either, there are a number of possibilities for accommodation. The magic of this beach is such that you’ll want to spend hours here taking pictures.

6. Snehatheeram Beach

Distance from Munnar to Snehatheeram Beach is 159.7Kms ( 4 hrs 37 Minutes).

Snehatheeram Beach is one of the best beaches near Munnar and you will feel the truth once you visit the place. The beach could be just described as elegant and amazing. As the sea waters, sand and sun twine with each other, they create a musical harmony that enthralls the heart and mind. Walking along its coastline, you can fully feel the essence of the place.

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No one can resist the aura and grandeur of such a great beach. Just watching the sunset at the beach reminds you of how beautiful nature can be and just watching the sun in the late afternoon is like choreography. As you relax on the beach or walk in its sandy shallow waters, you cannot but love to hear their musical sound to the ear when they crash upon a rock. The beach is extremely exciting; you truly realize it once you are there.

How to reach Munnar?

Munnar is a vast stunning hill station located in Kerala, India which lies over the sea level at a height of 1,600 meters. Munnar is famous for its foggy hills, and evergreen forests and some of the area’s tea plantations are like a glimpse from the countryside yet Munnar attractions include Tea estate waterfalls. Tea Museum, national park, Mattupetty Dam, Designed by becoming an inevitable part to attract tourists due to which here3 places are responsible as well. This climate is very specific for growing Tea and Coffee plants, hence by the 1900’s British established many plantations in a hill station named Munnar which is located in South India offering great views. Munnar is an enchanting location if you are planning to have a fun picnic with your friends and family!

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Munnar is well connected by road, but no direct train and plane connectivity. One needs to reach the nearest train station or airport and thereafter he/she can take a bus service/cab to Munnar.

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In case you wish to travel by bus, there are a handful of direct buses that operate from significant South Indian cities. If you do not get buses direct to Munnar, then at least take the bus up to  Kochi  and from there again several buses are available for Munnar

How to reach Munnar by Train?

As I said, Munnar is not connected by Railways The Nearest railway station

Aluva railway station is about 120 km from Munnar From here you can either catch a bus or cab club. List of best places to visit in Munnar from Aluva.

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Buses are very functional by evening immediately opposite the railway station, and these buses will drop you right under the banyan (gigantic) tree at Munnar at night time as they start from their source point around 10 am. You can also opt for taking a cab to reach your hotel which is a bit costly affair but worth it too if travelling with family like we did so on our return journey

Getting There– By Flight to Munnar

In case you are flying to Munnar then the closest flight terminal will be at Cochin International Airport (Kochi, near Aluva). After this, you can have many buses and cabs to go to Munnar. Round trip drive to Munnar from Kochi/Aluva masking usually lasts 3 to 4 hours.

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How to reach Munnar by private vehicle?

If you are traveling in a private vehicle you can visit a couple of waterfalls en route. During the summer the waterfalls will be dry, so you can drive straight to Munnar. However, during the monsoon and post-monsoon, it is worth visiting the waterfalls on the way. If you include these waterfalls in your itinerary then it will add a couple of hours to your journey time and it can take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Munnar

Munnar accommodation for friends

Munnar offers a wide range of accommodation options for all budget categories. The exotic stays are spread around Munnar including tea estate bungalows where you can stay right in the middle of tea plantations. Instead of staying in Munnar city, you can choose to stay a bit far from Munnar and you will get amazing properties with stunning views and better prices These off-beat stays are ideal if you are travelling in a private car or hiring a cab, but if you don’t have your vehicle I would recommend staying close to Munnar City for easier accessibility. During our trip, we stayed in Zostel, which is a great spot if you are travelling with friends, but not suitable for families.

ALSO SEE- 15 Best Munnar homestays for an Authentic Holiday

After reading this article, I have told you about all the famous beaches near Munnar in this article. If you visit this beach, you will get a different experience of Kerala. After visiting these places, you can connect with nature, enjoy adventures, and make this tour memorable. If you are planning, then this article can be very helpful for you, so definitely read it