Kerala and Tamil Nadu
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Positives
- Consistent swells
- Warm, tropical water
- Laid back and cheap
- Fascinating culture
Negatives
- Onshore, mushy conditions
- Small or closed-out beachbreaks
- Polluted water & beaches
- Long distances between spots
- Monsoon rains & appalling poverty
Kerala and Tamil Nadu surf travel guide
The southernmost tip of India has the most consistent and sizeable waves in one of the most surfed areas of the country with a blossoming surf culture. West-facing Kerala state is mainly all straight beachbreaks, punctuated by regular rivermouths and the occasional headland, which perfectly suits the small winter swells arriving between October and April. Rounding Cape Comorin southeast-facing Tamil Nadu has some playful pointbreaks that take advantage of larger S swells during the May to September period. This combination provides the flexibility to score fun, warm, uncrowded waves for most of the year, while experiencing the kaleidoscope of culture that defines India.
Surf spots in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Research the 13 surf breaks in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 13 breaks in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Kerala and Tamil Nadu
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 17,423,000
- Population
- 1,380,004,385
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- INR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +91
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Hindi 30%, English, Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all official)
Electricity
- Plug Type
- cdm
Visas
Everyone needs to get an e-visa before arriving in India and this should be done well in advance of any trip as it can take a a while. The costs varies but expect it to be between US$80 and US$100 . The e-visa lasts for 60 days.
Getting There
Kerala All visitors must apply for a visa before travelling. Trivandrum (TRV) is linked by flights to Cochin, Chennai, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai. International flights also operate to Colombo, Malé, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. Beware, domestic flights are pricy in India. Trains are part of the local experience but favour buses if you have a large boardbag. Andaman Islands Port Blair is served weekly by Indian Airlines flights from Calcutta (5) and Madras (3). Jet and East-West private airlines have 4 flights from Chennai. Book very early. Ferries are slow, taking 56h from Calcutta! Andhra Pradesh 6-month visas are easy to get. Indian Airlines flies to Vizag (VIZ) daily from Mumbai, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Chennai. Domestic flights are fairly expensive ($300 r/t from Mumbai, cheaper from Chennai) but no extra charge for boardbags. Trains and buses are dirt-cheap, but journeys can take days. 30mins transfer to Park Hotel.
Getting Around
Kerala Avoid driving in India; rent tourist taxis ($50/d) or local transport. Try out the throaty Enfield 350cc for a truly vintage motorcycling experience outside urban areas - the MC road can take you deep into the hills. From Trivandrum, take an autorickshaw to Kovallam ($2-3, $6-8 by taxi), only 20mins drive away. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (AP) is the 5th largest state in India; it takes 12h by train from the capital city Hyderabad. Once in Vizag, rent an Ambassador taxi ($25/day), a 4WD jeep if you’re a group ($100/day) or just a rickshaw ($0.50/short trip) for nearby spots. Traffic is hair-raising, take a driver! Andaman Islands Port Blair has buses, taxis and a few auto rickshaws and there are no beggars in the street like in Calcutta. Boats from the mainland moor at Haddo Jetty, 1km north of Phoenix Jetty; arrival point for inter-island ferries and live aboard surfing charters from Phuket, 50h+ away. SEAL is the most experienced operator. Get around Port Blair by moped, on hire for $3/day.
Accommodation
Travelling in India can suit any budget. Soul and Surf House near Varkala at $85 per night (soulandsurf.com) with surf guiding and rentals on offer. Vedanta Wake Up in Kovalam: A/C double room at $17 (low) and $28 (high). Most places serve a “thali” meal during the day.
Activities
Cruise in a traditional houseboat on the mesmerizing backwaters of Kumarakom or Aleppey. Enjoy Ayurvedic (oil) massages and treatments. Local surf numbers are growing thanks to Kovalam Surf Club (kovalamsurfclub.com).
Hazards & hassles
Onshore surf can create intense rips, swimmers drown every year. Pollution can be extreme. Lots of reptiles: Cobra, viper, rat snake, flying snake.
Handy Hints
You can hire various surfboards and bodyboards on Kovalam beach and at Varkala from $6 a day. Plan to leave a board if possible with local surf organisations. Bring wax and leashes.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.