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Varkala Beach: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
BY Sibashree Jan 28, 2026
South India has been my go-to place whenever I lacked clarity about “What is Next?” After exploring the beaches in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, I wanted to continue my journey, and my destination was the Western Coast of India. The quiet Varkala Beach or Papanasam Beach with dramatic cliffs won me over. With golden sands, blue waters, and gentle waves, Varkala Beach is therapeutic. No wonder that it is such a popular place for outdoor Yoga practices. Furthermore, being a west-facing beach, it offers dramatic sunset views. Here is more about the Location of Varkala Beach How to reach Varkala Beach Best beaches in Varkala Where to stay in Varkala Beach When is the best time to visit Varkala Beach Best things to do in Varkala Beach Places to eat and drink Is Varkala Beach worth it? About Varakala Beach Let me introduce the Varkala Beach to you with some quick answers. ⁍ Where is Varkala Beach? Varka Beach is in Varkala. It is a coastal town on the southwestern coast of India. ⁍ In which state is Varkala Beach situated? Varkala Beach is situated in the southern state of Kerala in India. ⁍ Varkala Beach, in which district? The Varkala Beach is in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. ⁍ Varkala Beach distance: It is located at a distance of 40 km from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Varkala Beach is the place where spirituality, wellness, religious fervor, and coastal recreation meet. It is also known as the Papanasam because people believe that taking a dip here washes away all your sins. In fact, the mineral-rich water of the Arabian Sea here has healing properties. Furthermore, the beach stretch is long, a little over 6 kms and it is the middle ground between the red cliffs and the blue waters. However, there are two things I did not like about the Varkala Beach. Firstly, all the eateries and shops lining the red cliffs obstruct the views. The more alarming thing is the amount of trash and plastic on the beach. There were food wraps and food wraps everywhere. Now, this shows a lack of maintenance and the absence of civic sense. Does The Varkala Beach Have A Shade? No, the Varaka Beach does not have any designated or constructed shade. Also, naturally, there is rarely any shaded spot with very few trees around. Furthermore, there are some lizards in the sand here. They don’t bother anyone, but it was a big issue for me. Finally, I rented a shade and a chair from a clifftop cafe. However, be ready get heavily tanned as the Sun here is so strong that no amount of sunscreen can protect you. How Safe Is Varkala Beach? Varkala Beach is a safe place, and it is one of the best destinations for a solo trip in India. It has a laid-back vibe, typical of the coastal areas of South India. However, I could not find any lifeguards for the longer stretch of the beach. So, swimming here is something you need to do at your own risk. Also, the current here is very strong. So, if you have plans to swim with kids, you have to be very careful. How To Get To Varkala? The Varkala Beach is closest to the Trivandrum International Airport (TRV). The distance is around 45 kilometers. Furthermore, the nearest railway station, Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station, is a little over 4 km away. However, the Trivandrum Central (TVC) is at a distance of 1 hour, and the Kollam Junction (QLN) Railway Station is around 40 minutes away. Both these stations have frequent train options from different parts of India. 1. How To Get To Varkala Beach From Trivandrum Airport I booked an Uber to reach the Varkala Beach from the Trivandrum Airport, and the charge was INR 1160. This is the safest option if you are new to the place. Local cabs and other online car rentals are also available. However, if you cannot negotiate, they will charge you between INR 1500 and INR 1600. Furthermore, the cheapest option to travel from Trivandrum to Varkala is to take a bus run by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Buses are available every 15 minutes. However, the KSRTC bus stop is around 15 km away from the beach. So, from there, you will again have to take a local bus or taxi. 2. How To Travel From The Varkala Railway Station To Varkala Beach? You can take a local taxi to reach the beach from the Varkala Railway Station. Local buses are also available. What Are The Best Beaches In Varkala? The Varkala Beach is the main attraction in the town of Varkala. However, it has many other beaches, such as the Black Sand Beach, Odayam Beach, Kappil Beach and Beach Park, Edava Beach, and Thiruvambadi Beach. 1. Black Sand Beach View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nat Geo Traveller India (@natgeotravellerindia) The Black Sand Cliff is close to the north cliff. If the Varkala Beach is overcrowded, you can consider this one as an alternative. 2. Odayam Beach Odayam Beach is perfect if you want to enjoy a long stroll along the waters early morning or late in the evening. It is located at the north of the main cliff. 3. Kappil Beach And Beach Park The Kappil Beach and Beach Park are further north of the Varkala town. It is the place where you will have a bit of the famous Kerala backwater experience. Also, it is the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the Kappil River. 4. Edava Beach The Edava Beach is cleaner. Also, this quaint beach offers a delightful cultural experience. Here, you can meet the fishermen. Though language was a barrier sometimes, a few of them knew English. Also, I must say, after the rich cultural experience in Jaffna, this was another culturally enriching moment for me. 5. Thiruvambadi Beach It is the most secluded beach in Varkala. It has black and dark sand. Also, it has a calm environment, allowing you to just relax and introspect. Where To Stay In Varkala? You can visit the Kerala Tourism website to find out where to stay in Varkala. It has Varkala beach resort options such as the Coconut Cove Beach Resort, the Pulari Gardens Tourist Resorts, and the nearest Karthika Plaza Resort Pvt. Ltd. Furthermore, there are hotels near Varkala Beach, such as InDa Hotel, the Lost Hostels, and Maison Sangham. I stayed at the Bougainvillea Homestay, which is very close to the Varkala beach cliffs. When To Visit Varkala? October to March, or the winter and spring seasons, are ideal for visiting Varkala.The rainfall is minimal in these months, and the temperature hovers around 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, less rain and moderate weather conditions are ideal for watersports such as jet skiing and paragliding. However, during my visit in February, I found the water current to be quite strong for swimming. So, check with the locals and the fishermen around before getting into the water. What Are The Best Things To Do In Varkala Beach? The Varkala Beach is a welcome relief if you are exploring South India. It is not a place if you are planning an action-packed holiday. However, try these watersports. Surfing At Varkala Beach You will find places such as Soul and Surf here to camp and learn surfing. Furthermore, the ideal surfing condition for a visitor depends on their expertise level. For Beginners: November to February For Sufers of Intermediate or Advanced Levels: October to March Advanced Surfers: The Monsoon Season or June to August Paragliding Varkala Paragliding is the most adventurous thing you can try at Varkala Beach. You can have a hawk-eye view of the water and the golden sand by flying from one end of the cliff to another. Also, paragliding feels magical during sunset. Varkala Beach Nightlife The bars, restaurants, and rooftop cafes of the North Cliff are the epicenters of a happening nightlife in Varkala. These places are ideal for candlelit dinners and enjoying a lively vibe with DJs and live acoustic music performances. What Are The Places To Visit Near The Varkala Beach? Varkala is an ideal place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, many religious and spiritual travelers combine a Varkala beach trip with a visit to Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Sivagiri Mutt. The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple is a 2000-year-old Vishnu shrine. It is associated with the legends of Lord Brahma and Narada Muni. On the other hand, the Sivagiri Mutt is home to the saints and sanyasins of the order started by Sree Narayana Gurudev. His primary teaching was “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man.” Established in 1904, this Mutt practices inclusiveness. What Are The Places For Eating And Drinking In Varkala? There are many cafes and restaurants in Varkala. I chose a humble, local place for lunch and dinner. However, to experience the cafe culture here, I chose a few upscale places. 1. Lunch At Vinayaka Vegetarian Restaurant I ordered a veg Keralan thali at the Vinayaka Vegetarian Restaurant. The rice grains were thick, and they were filling. Furthermore, they served the rice with five types of sides, pickle, and papad. It only cost me INR 90. 2. Dinner At Chimney Restaurant At the Chimney Restaurant, it was a continuation of my great seafood experience in Jaffna. The staff here suggested that I try a Kerala fish curry. The fish was fresh, and the curry was sharp and spicy (a little less than Jaffna). It was a perfect balance to the acidic element of rice. You must also try the village-style chicken curry here. It is a family-friendly restaurant. 3. Cafés I was at Cafe Trip is Life during sunset. The view was amazing, and I loved the grilled prawns and mojitos there. A bit pricey, but worth it! Another café I loved here was Café Sarwaa. I was impressed with the Bohemian decor the moment I entered the place. I tried some samosas and banana pancakes there. However, you can eat here the whole day. Their paratha and Kerala beef curry are the most famous. Is Varkala Worth It? Should I Just Go To Goa? The only similarity between Varkala and Goa beaches is the bohemian vibe. However, both beaches offer different experiences. Varkala is more nature-focused with the landscape of the Varkala Beach and a view of the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, it is more about relaxation and wellness thanks to the Yoga centers frequently found here. However, despite watersports and adventure facilities such as paragliding and surfing, Varkala is not as happening as Goa. Goa offers a wider range of watersports. Moreover, the nightlife of Goa is more vibrant. So, if you want a spiritual and wellness retreat and some quiet beach time, Varkala is the best. The 2000-year-old Vishnu temple is an added attraction here. For a vibe and a high-energy experience, choose Goa. Varkala Beach: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the Varkala Beach. 1. Varkala Beach Or Kovalam Beach, Which Is Best? I cannot pick a favorite between the Varkala Beach and the Kovalam Beach. The Varkala Beach, with a bohemian vibe, is more laid-back and nature-focused. On the other hand, the Kovalam Beach has the iconic crescent beaches, and it offers a diverse range of watersports and a vibrant nightlife. 2. Which Beach In Varkala Has Bioluminescence? The Varkala Beach has bioluminescence. You can especially notice the bioluminescence near the cliff and along the northern stretch of the beach. Here, tiny marine organisms emit blue and green light due to a chemical reaction. When the wave is disturbed, these organisms get scattered, and it looks like the water is glowing. Furthermore, from September to November is the best time to see the bioluminescence of the beach. 3. What Is The Varkala Beach From Bangalore Distance? The distance between Varkala Beach and Bangalore is around 670 km. You can travel by road, which takes around 14 hours. So, the easiest way to travel is to take a train from Bangalore Cantonment to Varkala. The travel time is around 13-15 hours. Furthermore, if you want to take the fastest way to travel, you must take a flight from the Bangalore Airport to the Trivandrum Airport and then take a bus or taxi to Kovalam.
