Cherai

Cherai beach is the perfect destination for those seeking a beach experience that does not include crowds and vendors. Located on one end of Vypeen island in Cochin district, around 26 km from Cochin(Ernakulam), Cherai has the added advanteage of being flanked by the golden sands of the beach on one side and the palm fringed backwaters on the other. Cherai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala bordering the northern end of Vypeen Island, is located about 26 km from Ernakulam city, Kochi. The place is a unique combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. The backwaters are a combination of lakes, lagoons, canals and estuaries.

The 15 km long golden Beach is very clean, shallow and is ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing. The Beach is very safe and tourists of all age groups can enjoy the Beach alike. The far end of the beach is lined with Chinese fishing nets which is a beautiful sight by itself Few beaches in Kerala can compare with the cleanliness and beauty of Cherai beach, situated at a distance of 35 kms from Cochin. Affectionately called the princess of the Arabian Sea this 10 kilometer long beach is becoming the favourite destination of the tourists with each passing day.This beach also occupies the unique position of being the only beach where dolphins are sighted.

The tourism department has laid much emphasis on the development of this beach and has taken up the task of widening and beautifying it to suit the convenience of the tourists. From the very ancient times Cherai had been known as the destination to enjoy the best of sea food delicacies to be watered down with the country liquor called Toddy. Cherai is easily accessible from every part of Kerala and can be reached by taking either a boat ride from High court Junction to Vypeen and from there to Cherai or the better option being to take the bus direct to Vypeen from Ernakulam city and from there to Cherai. Cherai is only a 40 minutes drive from Vypeen.

A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby makes this place even more beautiful. The main attraction of Cherai is the 'Poyil' a large inland lake forming a part of the calm serene backwaters separated from the ocean by only a narrow sandbar. A boat ride along the palm fringed backwaters and paddy fields is a breathtaking experience you will never forget. The water is calm, crystal clear and you could loose yourselves in the beauty of the surrounding Kerala Village life. One could get a glimpse of country boats ferrying paddy or fish, fishermen casting for the days catch, reapers working in the paddy fields, toddy tappers climbing coconut trees for tapping toddy, ducks wading across the water with their ducklings, storks looking for their prey in the paddy fields etc. The water fields here are single crop ones mostly cultivating paddy. In between the crop season the paddy fields are converted into fish farms, mainly prawns. Cherai is also well known for the mouth lingering fresh sea food and country wine Toddy (fermented coconut water).