The quiet beaches near Varkala are north of the cliff: Odayam, Edava and Kappil, each a few minutes from the next, and each far calmer than the busy stretch below the cliff. Go early in the morning or in the last hour of light, when even the popular beaches empty out. And remember that quiet is not the same as safe: the currents on this coast are strong, so swim only where someone who knows the water says it is fine.
Varkala's cliff beach is beautiful and busy, especially from November to February. You do not have to go far to find sand to yourself. Here are the beaches we send people to when they want space, what each is like, and how to enjoy them safely.
Why the north is quieter
Most of Varkala's cafés, guesthouses and nightlife are packed along the cliff, so that is where most visitors spend their time. Head a few kilometres north and the coast changes character: fishing villages, coconut groves, a backwater running parallel to the sea, and long stretches of beach with very few people on them.
Odayam Beach
Odayam is the nearest escape and barely a detour: a few minutes on foot from our house, and quieter again than Edava. It is a stretch for walking, sitting and watching the sea, not for a busy beach day. Find it on Google Maps.
Best for: a dawn walk, a book, a sunset without a crowd.
Edava Beach
Edava is a fishing village about five kilometres north of Varkala (Wikipedia). Its long, sandy beach has a forgiving beach break, which is why our surf school teaches there rather than below the cliff, and at dawn the sand belongs to the fishing boats and a handful of surfers.
It is a working beach. The boats pulled up past the tide line go out most mornings, and the nets come in around breakfast time. Stand back while they haul, do not walk through the nets, and ask before photographing anyone up close. Often you will be handed a rope and put to work, which is more fun than watching.
Best for: surf lessons, the morning net haul, sunsets.
Kappil Beach
Kappil is the most striking and the most secluded. Kerala Tourism describes it as the point where Kappil Lake meets the Arabian Sea, about eight kilometres from Varkala (Kerala Tourism). A strip of golden sand separates the still backwater from the open sea, and at sunset it is the best view on this coast.
It is also where you should be most careful. The sea at Kappil has strong currents; admire it from the sand, and do your paddling on the backwater side instead. Our guide to kayaking near Varkala covers the calm side.
Best for: sunset, the backwater, photographs.
Quieter spots nearer the cliff
If you are staying on the cliff and do not want to travel far:
- South Cliff is calmer than North Cliff, above Papanasam beach, the main beach in Varkala and a place of religious importance (Kerala Tourism).
- Black Beach, north of the cliff, is known for its surf; Kerala Tourism lists it alongside Varkala Beach as one of the main surfing spots (Kerala Tourism). Early mornings are its quietest time.
- Any beach at dawn. Even Papanasam is peaceful at first light.
When to go
| Time | Why |
|---|---|
| Dawn | Empty sand, soft light, fishing boats heading out |
| Mid-morning | Fine on the northern beaches; the cliff fills up |
| Midday | Too hot for most people; find shade |
| Last hour of light | Golden light, cooler air, the best sunsets |
By season: the dry months from October to March are the most comfortable. December and January are busiest everywhere, so the northern beaches matter most then. In the June to September monsoon the sea is rough and swimming is not advised, but the empty beaches and dramatic skies have their own appeal.
Swimming safely on quiet beaches
This part matters more on a quiet beach, because there may be nobody around to help.
- Never swim alone.
- Ask before you go in. Someone who knows the beach, a surf school, a fisherman, or us, will tell you straight.
- Stay close to shore and within your depth.
- Learn to spot a rip: a channel of churning water, or a gap in the breaking waves where the water runs out to sea.
- If you are caught in one, don't swim against it; float, swim parallel to the beach, and raise a hand.
Currents at Edava and Kappil can be strong, and rip currents catch swimmers here every year. Our guide to whether surfing is safe for beginners explains rip currents in more detail.
Leave the beach as you found it
Part of what keeps these beaches quiet is that they are not built up, which also means there are few bins and nobody cleaning up after visitors. Take everything you bring back with you, including bottle caps and wrappers. Keep music low, give the fishing boats and nets a wide berth, and do not disturb anything on the sand at the tide line. A quiet beach is a shared one.
Getting around the quiet coast
A scooter makes the northern beaches easy: Odayam, Edava and Kappil are all within about ten minutes of each other. Auto-rickshaws work too; agree the fare first.
Beyond the beaches
The same quiet coast has more to find: the Kappil estuary mouth, cliff viewpoints without a café, the fishing harbour at first light, and, for a big day out, Jatayu Earth Centre about an hour away. Our half-day wanders are half-day trips built around exactly these, and our local guide has a map link for every beach and landmark. If you are still deciding where to base yourself, Edava vs Varkala Cliff compares the quiet side with the busy one.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach near Varkala is the quietest?
Odayam is usually the quietest of the easily reached beaches, followed by Edava. Kappil is the most secluded, but more people visit it at sunset. Any of them is quieter than the beach below the cliff.
Are the quiet beaches good for swimming?
Sometimes, but be careful. Currents on this coast can be strong, especially at Edava and Kappil, and there may be nobody nearby to help. Ask someone who knows the beach before you go in, stay in your depth, and never swim alone.
Can I surf at the quiet beaches?
Edava's sandy beach break is where our surf school teaches beginners. Learn with an instructor first; surfing alone at an unfamiliar beach is not a good idea on this coast.
Are there cafés near the northern beaches?
There are a few near Edava, and Black Beach Road has several good breakfast places. For a wide choice, the cliff is about ten minutes away by scooter.
What should I bring to a quiet beach?
Water, sunscreen, a hat, something to sit on, and a bag for your rubbish. Shade is limited on most of these beaches, and there are few shops right on the sand.
Is it safe to visit these beaches alone?
The beaches are generally friendly and relaxed places to walk. The main risk is the sea, not the people: walk, sit, watch the fishing boats, but save swimming for when you are with someone who knows the water.