Varkala Beach: A Morning Experience

Our days during the Kerala and Tamil Nadu Trip usually started early, and this day was no different. We wanted to watch the sunrise at Varkala Beach, so everyone was ready by 5:45 AM.

Varkala Beach is around 1 km from our hotel, and instead of taking an auto, we decided to walk. The walk through North Cliff took around 15 minutes. From there, you need to climb down around 100 steps to reach the beach.

A Peaceful Morning at Varkala Beach

When we reached the beach, the sun had not risen yet. Since there were very few people around, the beach was peaceful with only the sound of waves crashing against the sea shore. We spent around two hours at the beach. Our children enjoyed playing on the wide sandy beach while we walked along the shoreline.

Is Varkala Beach Good for Families?

The beach has a wide stretch of sand, making it a good place for children to play. Although we had planned only to spend some time there, two hours passed quite comfortably. We did not enter the water because we hadn’t carried an extra set of clothes. Looking back, carrying one would have been useful if you plan to spend more time at the beach.

Family Time at Varkala Beach — Jiya n MIvaan Making Castles at Varkala Beach

How Clean is Varkala Beach?

The beach itself was reasonably clean, but I would not describe the water as crystal clear. Compared to other beaches we have visited, Varkala Beach felt cleaner than many beaches in Goa. However, the water was less clear than the beaches in the Andaman Islands.

The waves were fairly high during our visit, so we preferred staying on the sandy portion of the beach. Compared to Puri Beach, however, the waves felt softer.

Facilities at the Beach

Since we reached early in the morning, only a few shops near the beach were open. There were a few beach shacks, but they had not started their day yet.

We did not find any changing rooms near the beach.

We also didn’t notice any lifeguards when we arrived. They started coming around 8:00 AM, when more visitors had begun reaching the beach.

The Cultural Side of Varkala Beach

One side of the beach was active with rituals being performed for the deceased. The lights in that area were still on, creating a different atmosphere from the rest of the beach.

There is also a smaller branch of Janardhan Swami Temple near the beach, where several devotees had gathered for the morning rituals.

Watching these rituals gave us an opportunity to see another side of Varkala beyond its beaches.

Breakfast After the Beach

Around 8:00 AM, we left the beach and started looking for breakfast.

Since we hadn’t even had a cup of tea before leaving the hotel, we were already hungry.

Near one of the temples, we found a small pure vegetarian restaurant where we had tea and freshly prepared Medu Vadas. The Medu Vadas were excellent, and the restaurant also served a South Indian meal for around ₹180, making it a good option for vegetarian travellers.

After breakfast, we took an auto back to the hotel, checked out and continued our journey towards Janardhan Swami Temple, Golden Beach, Jatayu Earth Center and finally Poovar.

Our Experience

Varkala Beach offered a different experience from the other beaches we have visited.

It was cleaner than many beaches in Goa, though the water was not as clear as the Andaman Islands. The sandy beach made it comfortable for children to play, and the waves were softer than those at Puri Beach.

I would recommend spending around two hours here, preferably early in the morning. It gives you enough time to enjoy the beach, experience the peaceful surroundings and continue with the rest of your day’s sightseeing.