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| Varkala Black Beach |
Varkala Beckons!
At one time Kovalam used to the beach destination in Kerala. Now, that spot is taken by Varkala, which is around 40km from Trivandrum.
With more tourists visiting Varkala beach, I have more reason to share my experiences, pics taken of the beach, and other personal observation about this cliff beach.
So, on this blog post I've listed the main activities visitors can experience.
Reaching Varkala By Train
Varkala is a 45 minute train from Trivandrum. You have to check the trains which stops at Varkala. From Varkala railway station to the cliff beach ( Heli Pad), the auto guys usually charge somewhere around Rs 120.
First of all, I'll tell you what I do when I visit Varkala.
For folks like us in Trivandrum, Varkala is a short trip. Most people would be driving down to Varkala by car. But, I personally prefer train travel.
From Varkala railway station, it's a short ride by auto to Heli Pad point. From there, we usually walk to Black Beach. Once we packed coffee and sandwiches. So, like a typical picnic trip, we spread out a sheet and had our breakfast in this black beach ( Thiruvambadi).
Apart from this walk, we don't go for much exploration. Once we have our breakfast, we slowly walk back to the begining of the cliff ( towards heli pad point). Next, we choose one of the restaurants on the cliff - where we order beer and snacks. Restaurants like ABBA or Green Holiday or from Shee Ram Cafe at Black Beach or Darjeling cafe, etc offers good view of the beach.
One more activity at this place is to take pics of all things around - view of the beach, cliff, flowers on the edge, people at work, curios kept for sale, etc. This is a major time pass for me!
Tourist Activities in Varkala Beach
Relax on the Beach: Enjoy sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful sandy shores.
Water Sports: Engage in activities like parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking.
DJ Nights - Varkala is becoming popular for many DJ nights.
Massages - I wish there were massages on the beach. For now, you can check many of the massage centres on the cliff or in places around this town.
Surf School: Varkala beach is also know for surfing lessons. There are many who teach surfing lessons.
Yoga Classes -
Cliff Walk
Explore Varkala town and surrounding villages
Varkala Surf School Lessons: These surf lessons are for all skill levels, focusing on safety and technique. Experienced instructors guide you through the basics of surfing. Rentals are also available.
- Surf N Sea -Surf school & Hostel
📍 Thiruvambadi Rd, near varkala aquarium, Varkala, Ph# 097467 76690 - MOANA SURF CLUB ( Website : https://moanasurfschool.in/)
- Moon Waves Surf School ( Visit this website for details of surfing lessons,
📍 Near Kunnuvila Temple, North Cliff, Varkala | Mob: +91 90489 32625 - RUASTA SURF SCHOOL
Location: Kuttikkadu temple junction, Juicy cafe Black beach, Road Thiruvambadi road, Black Beach, Varkala
Ph#: 070344 0013
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rua_sta/?hl=en - Elixir Surf School
Address: Black Beach, N Cliff Rd, Varkala, Trivandrum
Phone: 080755 25978
Website: https://www.elixirsurf.com/index.html
email: contact@elixirsurf.com - Paddle Cult Surfing School, Varkala Beach
Location: Black beach road Thiruvambadi, beach, Varkala,
🏄♀️ Surf & Stay📍Varkala
For stay & sessions :+918156880064, +9197458510
https://www.instagram.com/paddlecult_/?hl=en - MAHALO SURF, VARKALA
📍 Janardanapuram, Altharamoodu, Varkala,
Phone: 062353 53094
Insta https://www.instagram.com/mahalosurfvarkala/ - Soul & Surf Kerala,
📍 Golden Beach, South Cliff, Janardhanapuram
Phone: 098958 42538
Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/soulandsurfindia/?hl=en
Soul & Surf India. Surf, yoga & therapies in Kerala with seriously good vibes. https://www.soulandsurf.com/retreats/india/ - Baywatch Surf School Varkala
📍 Location: Pachamama Beach Resort, Varkala,
Phone: 094000 05021 - Tropical sunset school of surf
📍 Address: near Green pepper Home stay, Varkala,
https://tropicalsunsetschoolofsurf.com/
Ph# 91 7356787887, +91 9526434518, +91 9995745433
We Love Surfing & We Love to Teach
Green pepper South cliff perumkulam varkala - Copa cabana
Address: Helipad, N Cliff Rd, Varkala
Phone: 096333 9392
https://copacabanaadventure.in/ - Hope Surf School, Varkala
📍The Lost Hostels, Varkala Helipad Road, Varkala
Phone: 070124 16343
Email: thelosthostels@gmail.com
Website: www.thelosthostels.com - surfonasup
📍 Paravur - Varkala Rd, Kappil, Edava,
Phone: 097443 81542
Website: https://surfonasup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfonasup/ - Surf Turf Varkala
📍 Vettakada, Edava, Varkala,
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfturfvarkala/ - POINT BREAK VARKALA
📍Black beach, behind Varkala Aquarium, Varkala
Phone: 085904 89329
https://www.instagram.com/pointbreakvarkala/?hl=en - Saltybaba SurfShack
📍Helipad, Varkala
Ph# 097460 53008
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/saltybabavarkala/
Website: https://saltybaba.com/ - Kuma Surfs
📍 MidStay, North middle cliff, 🤙🏾
DM to book your surf adventure and stay with us.🏠
Varkala, Kerala 🌴
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/kumasurfsvarkala/
For inquiries Ph# +91 9995338248
Kuma Surf House, Varkala 695141
wa.me/919995338248 - House of Surf by Tripright
📍 1st Floor , Building No. EPXII/369A, Thunduvayal, Odayam Beach Road, opposite Tamarind Villa, Varkala
Phone: 083040 95993
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/House-of-surf-by-Tripright/61557621384303/?_rdr
21. Mahalo Surf Varkala
( Insta Profile)
☎️: 7559026853, 6235353094
Other links with information about surf lessons in Varkala:
1. https://www.pinklungi.com/places-to-learn-surfing-in-varkala/
Yoga Classes in Varkala
1. Rama school of yoga
This yoga school offers 200 hours of Yoga Teachers Training Certification (TTC) that is authorized and approved by international organization, Yoga Alliance.
For details, visit this site: https://ramaschoolofyoga.com/about/
Email: contact@ramaschoolofyoga.com
Phone +91 9746535579
📍 ADDRESS: Beach Side Resort, Near Manthara Temple, Varkala
Ayurvedic Massage Centres in Varkala:
Kerala Ayurveda and Wellness Centre: Offers traditional Ayurvedic massages and treatments to rejuvenate your body and mind.
Jiva Ayurveda: Provides personalized wellness therapies focusing on relaxation and healing.
Cliff Walks: Stroll along the scenic cliffs with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.
Places to Stay in Varkala North Cliff
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Places to be, Experiences to relish and things to do while in Varkala
Visit Janardhana Swami Temple: An ancient temple known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere.
Explore Anjengo Fort: A historical site with stunning views, ideal for photography and history enthusiasts.
Shopping: Browse local handicrafts, sound bowl, souvenirs, and clothing at nearby shops and markets.
Yoga Classes: Join yoga sessions on the beach or at local studios for relaxation and wellness.
Nightlife: Enjoy beach side cafes and bars with live music and vibrant atmospheres.
Places to be and things to do while in Varkala
Places Around Varkala
Papanasam Beach: Known for its spiritual significance as many people visit this beach on Karkidaka Vavu day to perform Bali. Bali, is a Hindu ritual to honor deceased ancestors that is performed in Kerala, India
Kappil Beach: A quieter beach with picturesque views and a peaceful ambiance.
Sivagiri Mutt: A renowned pilgrimage center with historical importance.
Ponnumthuruthu Island: A serene island perfect for a day trip, accessible by boat.
Muthappan Temple: A traditional temple showcasing local culture and rituals.
These activities and nearby places make Varkala a vibrant destination for tourists!
Which Part of Varkala is Popular? Is it the South Cliff or North Cliff?
If you prefer to be in a beach with less people, then South Cliff is for you. There are few cafes here and few resorts which provides accommodation and stay.
Cafe and Accommodation at South Cliff in Varkala
1. CAFE SARWAA, Varkala
South Cliff Perungulam -
Ph#: 095622 90006
I would say this would be a great place to read a book, work on your laptop, basically good for the creator gigs.
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| Walk on the cliff path |
What are the activities at Varkala?
1. Dream Catcher Workshop
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| Make dream Catcher in this workshop at Varkala |
Yoga, 
Surfing Sip & Paint Workshop
Sunrise Island Picnics 
Relaxing Healing Massage Ph# Phone: 083040 95993
Varkala
Off-Beat Things to Do at Varkala!
1. Take a walk from Varkala Beach to Thangassery beach in Kollam. ( One of my friend walked all the way by the shoreline. Few stretches along the coastline were blocked by rocks. If you encounter such spots, then choose a route by the road and then join back to the beach). It's not easy walk, though.
If you plan such a walk, start early and ask for suggestion from local or people who can guide you. Btw, I wish there was a route map for a such a walk.
A suggestion to KTDC or Travel Vloggers, Hotels at Varkala - Make a short video, or make a trail route by the beach and make it into a ( PDF). Or, a blog post with pictures, sights and obstacles of this route will be informative content for a walker.
2. Visit the Fish Breeding Unit near Black Beach ( Thiruvampadi Beach) and ask if you can work as a volunteer ( Last time I saw the building, the premises were filled with overgrown plants. You can suggest you can do a cleaning job or you can scrub the interiors, or buy them few essentials that can be used there). I'm not sure if they have such programme. Perhaps, you will be the first one to ask! :)
3. Stay at South Cliff at Varkala and go to the beach at midnight for a nude shower! ( Risky proposition. So, do so, if you have company). Btw, don't get into the water. Take couple of pics of your silhouette. Those memories of will stay with you. (Also, be vary of other people. So, do such acts discretely and with caution)
4. Get someone to massage you on the beach ( Again, under the cover of darkness). A safer option if you stay in a hotel overlooking the beach would be to use your balcony space to get a masseur to massage you!
If you have such plans, choose a resort or hotel with a large balcony..( Choose only professional and decent fellas or lady to do body pampering)
5. Donate few essentials at a nearby Aganwadi Centre ( each unit provides basic health care in rural area) and donate things that are essential.
6. Join for beach clean up programmer. If not, ask for few people to join for a beach clean-up early i the day. Also, find out where you can discard the plastic bottles. If you've friends who have come for the trip to Varkala, it could a feel good activity to do in the morning.
7. Get in touch with the local panchayat president or secretary and ask how you can donate a waste bin to keep it by the beach. (If you run a biz or work for a company, or you're member of a club, you can get that name on the bin)
8. Join one of the activities in Varkala like Sip & Paint Retreat 🎨 ( , or Dream Catcher Workshop or cooking class, or just explore Varkala's rice fields and backwater area, or rent a cycle to see the village life beyond the beaches.
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