Poovar Island

The unspoilt natural beauty and vast stretches of golden sands which lie between the azure waters and groves of swaying coconut palm trees welcome you to Poovar, this scenic beach destination in Kerala!

Positioned at the meeting point of Neyyar River with the Arabian Sea & backwaters, Poovar Island is indeed an enchanting tourist hotspot in Kerala. Originating from the Agastyarkoodam Hills near Trivandrum, the Neyyar River flows for 56 Kms, and its long journey ends at the Arabian Sea. Poovar is a coastal town which lies near Trivandrum and Kovalam and has a laid-back beauty and calmness to it. With nature at its best, Poovar is undoubtedly a paradise for those seeking peace and solitude and is also one of the best honeymoon places in Kerala.

There is a bit of history attached to the name of the island. Poovar was called Pokkumoosapuram in the earlier days. Marthanda Varma, the King of Travancore, reached here escaping the internal riots in Travancore. It was a spring season, and flowers from the trees on the banks of the Neyyar fell into the river, making it more beautiful. Marthanda Varma was impressed with this beauty and commented that this was Poo-var, a conjunction of the Malayalam words for “flower” and “river”.

Poovar Island, Kerala has an uncrowded stretch of sand and has become the choice of tourists for relaxing by the beach, boating in the backwaters and getting to know the village life of the fishermen here. The island is blessed with the bounty of nature in well-preserved local flora, with hundreds of species of spices, exotic flowers, complete with banana and coconut groves. As a large population of migratory birds visit here, Poovar Island is a bird lover’s paradise as well. The golden beach is a favourite picnic spot of tourists and local people. Boating trips can be arranged at nominal rates.

Why Visit Poovar?

Get ready for a fantastic holiday at Poovar – A bewitching backwaters destination near Kovalam! The main attraction of this coastal village is the Poovar Beach, where the Arabian Sea meets the Neyyar river, thus forming a small estuary near the beach. The endless stretch of the serene golden sands lined by coconut palms invites you to utter bliss & relaxation! The waters which take on distinct shades of blue and green are perfect for swimming and other beachside activities. The best part of it all is that it is not crowded with tourists or beach-goers as the beach is reachable only through the motor or wooden boats. You can have the entire beach to yourself to sit back, relax and sunbathe. Swimming is not permitted from June to August due to heavy undercurrents. 

Poovar, one of the best holiday places in Kerala, is also an ideal honeymoon destination for young couples to relax as well as indulge in some thrilling activities. A Poovar Island trip cannot be complete without some beach fun activities like swimming, Volleyball & other watersports. Boating, backwater trips and cruises add to the charm! Apart from this, tourists visiting Poovar can also enjoy Ayurvedic massage and spa for complete body and mind rejuvenation.

You can take part in many events and festivals celebrated with joy at Poovar Island. Ekadasi Festival, which is celebrated on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight, is a must-see event. A tribute plaque for Gajarajan Kesavan is the main feature of this fete. Thrikarthika is yet another major festival in Poovar, which celebrates the birth of Lord Subramanya. Visits during Easter and Saraswathy Pooja can allow you to take part in different cultural events. On Saraswathy Pooja, many traditional dances like Krishnanattam, Kathakali and martial arts like Kalaripayattu are performed. All these factors make Poovar a hot favourite with tourists visiting Kerala.

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Where is Poovar?

Poovar is a beautiful island surrounded by river Neyyar, which lies at the southern tip of Trivandrum. A tourist town in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state, South India, Poovar Island is located at the confluence of River Neyyar, backwaters and the Arabian Sea. Situated 33 km from Trivandrum and 20 km from Kovalam, Poovar Island, Kerala is one of the best places to visit near Kovalam & Trivandrum. Poovar also lies near the southern tip of India and  Poovar to Kanyakumari distance is 71kms.

How to reach Poovar?

Poovar is only 33 km from the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram which is well-connected to other parts of the country. There are three modes of transport to Poovar Island.

Air:Thiruvananthapuram Airport is the nearest airport to reach Poovar (33 Km). The airport is well connected to all major cities in India like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata and Mumbai. International flights also operate to different parts of the world. The fastest way to reach Poovar Island will be to take a taxi from the airport. 

Rail:Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station is the nearest railway station, which is 27 Km away from Poovar Island. The railway station is well connected with other major cities like New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, etc. You can hire a cab to reach Poovar Island from the Railway Station to reach there more quickly.

Road:There are many state government and private buses from Trivandrum that ply to Poovar Island from Trivandrum. There are other bus routes to reach Poovar like Kollam, Kottayam, Kovilpatti, Kulathupuzha, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kochi, Madurai and Thrissur.

Water Taxi:The Poovar beach is also accessible by readily available water taxis.

What is the best time to visit Poovar? 

Winter

The time of Winter, which begins in November and lasts until February is the best time to visit Poovar Island. A pleasantly cold climate exists at that time, and the temperature ranges between 19°C and 34°C. 

Summer

Scorching hot and humid climate mark the summers of Poovar as the temperature ranges from 28°C to 37°C in March to May. It is advised to avoid these months for planning a trip to Poovar.

Monsoon

Monsoon season in Poovar begins in June and lasts till September. Poovar Island becomes beautiful and green all around. As there are heavy undercurrents, swimming is not allowed from June to August. The water flow of rivers in Poovar is very high during the monsoon and boating is at times very risky or dangerous.

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Places to Visit in Poovar

Golden Sand Beach

A stunning beach with golden sands and gentle breeze nestled between the gorgeous River Neyyar and the Arabian Sea! It is worth visiting Poovar Island for this beautiful beach! The golden sands on the beach makes a sharp contrast with the azure blue waters of the sea. An elegant  & clean beach, the view of the river meeting sea is just great!

It is just half an hour drive from Kovalam. The swaying coconut palms add to the beauty of this picture-perfect beach which is accessible by water taxi alone. There are some floating restaurants nearby for dining options. The beach offers perfect environs for relaxing and unwinding. You can watch the fishermen going out to sea and hauling in their boats after fishing expeditions. The Golden Sands Beach is the best of Poovar tourism places that truly puts you in a trance of God’s utterly beauty of nature.

Poovar Boating

Boating in the backwaters of Poovar is a quintessential Kerala experience not to be missed! A boat cruise on a Kerala houseboat, Kettuvallam along the palm-fringed enchanting backwaters which are brimming with a variety of flora and Avi-fauna is just fantastic. You can even sample the authentic Kerala cuisine on your way in a houseboat. While on the boat cruise, watch out for birds like Sea Egret, Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Indian Cormorant Eagle, Black Darter, and more.

You can just drink in the beauty of the backwaters on your cruise. Make sure to carry your camera to capture all the beautiful views on your cruise! Winding through the backwaters allows you to catch a glimpse of the native village life on the banks of the backwaters. It is quite interesting to see how the local people do their everyday chores. The boat cruise allows you to connect with nature and enjoy the picturesque beauty of the dense mangrove forest & coconut groves. You can find many flowering trees along the banks of the river. 

A boat ride through the mangroves is just amazing! The trip through the scenic backwaters and joining at the Poovar beach where one can get to see on one side the roaring sea and the other side the calm waters that enter the river is an unforgettable experience!

Other options in boating are trips on speed boats or wooden boats through the backwaters of Poovar. The speed boat will take approximately 1.5 / 2hrs to cover the backwaters of Poovar Island, Kerala.

Poovar Beach North

Tall coconut palms swaying to the salty breeze from the Arabian Sea, endless golden sands, the blue waters of the ocean, emerald backwaters, sunsets painting the horizon in crimson red and lush green vegetation create a magical ambience at Poovar Beach North. Famous for its pristine and virginal beauty, Poovar Beach North is a favourite for those who love solitude. Only things that disturb the tranquillity of Poovar will be the sound of waves and the birds.

Poovar Beach North is the ideal remote getaway location for a quiet picnic in spectacular natural surroundings. Enjoy a boat cruise along the palm-fringed shores of the bewitching backwaters. A Nice and calm place coming here in the evening would be best to avoid the scorching heat.

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Pozhiyoor Golden Beach 

Relaxing on the Pozhiyoor or Pozhikkara beach at Poovar Island is one of the best ways to spend your day! One of the most famous tourist attractions near Kovalam, Pozhiyoor Beach is a beautiful and picturesque beach. With its green environs, the place where the backwater meets the sea attracts many tourists every year. The Pozhiyoor golden beach is a beach lovers’ paradise with its clear blue water and the golden sands. Bathing in the sun-kissed beach with family and friends, enjoying facial and body massages, dining on fresh-caught delicious sea-food available at the nearby seaside restaurants are favourite pastimes you can enjoy here.

Adimalathura Beach  

An excellent place to hang out with family and friends! With its grand sunset vistas and calm atmosphere, the Adimalathura beach is one of the best places to visit near Poovar. The quiet beach is a relief from the hectic tourist crowd in Kovalam. Adimalathura means “port with a hill beneath”, and the location of this village is on the top of a vast undersea submarine mountain range in the sea near Kovalam.

The Adimalathura beach is amazingly clean and beautiful with the palms and greenery around. The beach offers a magnificent view of the changing colours of the Arabian Sea and shows you the real facets of a beach during various seasons. It is also known as an Ayurveda destination. Watching the fishermen take out their Catamaran boats in the evening for night fishing is just spectacular!

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Places to Visit near Poovar

Kuzhipallam Botanical Garden 

A great learning experience for the botanists! Kuzhipallam Botanical Garden and Research Centre is a pioneering botanical garden near Kovalam. Spread over 40 acres, the Kuzhipallam Botanical Gardens is located between Kovalam and Vizhinjam port. For the past four decades, the Kuzhipallam Botanical garden has maintained its niche position as one of the premier establishments for agricultural and horticultural activities in the private sector of Kerala. 

Thousands of visitors from India and abroad visit the garden to enjoy the tremendous aesthetic beauty of this garden with its beautiful vistas and extensive greenery. 

The Kuzhipallam Botanical Garden is an excellent source of inspiration and research for visitors from India & abroad. The gardens educate and entertain the visitors as well. The unique landscaping design has undulating land surfaces and artificial lakes with aquatic plants. The botanical garden is a world of biodiversity with an extensive collection of plants, trees and herbs. A must-visit place in Kovalam!

Charithra Malika 

Embark on a journey into the rich culture and history of Kerala! The Charithra Malika 11km away from Poovar Island is one of the most visited Poovar tourist places. It showcases vignettes of the lifestyle of people in southern Travancore. Massive, substantial wooden gates, open the door to the past! The complex of six sprawling, red-tiled buildings jam-packed with artefacts and antiques, is spread out on nearly an acre & has a collection of 4000 plus antiques and artefacts, depicting the culture and heritage of Kerala.

The artefacts consist of a Bullock cart, traditional oil extractor, agriculture implements, wooden and bronze vessels and utensils. You can also find various types of kitchen grinders, oil lamps, skiffs used in the Kalari, measuring vessels and weights, document boxes,  palm leaves used for writing and iron styluses, weapons, locks, etc. in the collection.

Chenkal Maheshwaram Temple

Invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva & Parvathi at the Maheshwaram Sri Sivaparvathi Temple at Chenkal, 10 km away from Poovar Island. Built entirely out of Krishna Stone and wood in the Traditional Kerala Architecture style, this temple is constructed following Vastu Shastra principles. This temple is the dedication of service to humanity and service to God by Swamy Maheswarananda Saraswathi. The Swamy welcomes people irrespective of their caste, creed and religion to this temple as he believes in Manavaseva to be Madhavaseva.

As the only temple in the world, where devotees can worship 12 Jyothirlingams of Lord Siva and 32 forms of Lord Ganesha at one place, the temple is also known as Dakshina Kailasom. The world’s largest Sivalingam, MAHALINGAM,111 feet in height is one of the main attractions of Maheshwaram temple. The festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great pomp and style at the  Maheshwaram Sri Sivaparvathi temple.

Kollemcode Sree Bhadrakali Temple

Sree Bhadrakali Temple, located in Kollemcode, is the beautiful Shrine dedicated to the deities Bhadra and Rudra. This famous Temple endows the devotees with blessings of Shree Bhadrakali Devi believed to have appeared here as a dual form of Shakti viz. Bhadra and Kali. The devotees get the blessings from the unified form of Mother Durga. There are two temples constructed for Sree Bhadrakali at Kollemcode and Venkanji. There are two deities considered as sisters Bhadra and Rudhra. Both the sisters Bhadra and Rudhra are worshipped at the same temple here at Kollemcode. 

Bharani day is considered the birthday of Sree Bhadrakali and is celebrated in grandly every month. In the month of Meenam ‘Thookkam’ Festival is celebrated for ten days with the participation of lakhs of people. It is an offering by married couples to the Bhadrakali Devi for getting healthy children. It is believed that Devi will grant their wishes and keep their children safe from harm. Pongala offerings are given to the goddess on the day of Pathamudayam during the Medam month. The Kollemcode Bhadrakali Temple is an essential pilgrimage centre for Goddess Kali worshippers of India.

Aazhimala Siva Temple

The Aazhimala Temple located 10 km away from Poovar Island & nestled on one of the best rocky beaches in Kerala is a huge crowd-puller. It is one of the best places you can visit near Poovar Island, Kerala. The temple has the religious significance of being one of the oldest Shiva temples in Kerala. The magnificent backdrop of the turbulent sea and the golden beach also makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations near Kovalam. The Aazhimala temple derives its name from ‘Aazhi’ meaning Sea and ‘Mala’ the Hill. The temple is frequented by Shiva devotees and tourists, especially on Tuesdays. 

Thousands of devotees come together at the annual festival of the temple is held between January and February. ‘Naranga Vilakku’ (oil lamp that is lit on a lemon) is the primary offering. Seeing hundreds of oil lamps lit in harmony on the seashore being will make you think that the sparkling night stars have fallen to the ground! As the Aazhimala Siva Temple is located on elevated grounds, it is quite a panoramic and impressive view of the mesmerizingly rhythmic waves of the Arabian Sea crashing on the rocks and the endless golden sands of the remarkable Aazhimala Beach.

Kovalam Beach

Thinking of going on a beach holiday to bask in the Sun? Kovalam is your goto beach destination in Kerala!  One of the best places to see near Poovar Island, Kovalam is a fabulous photography destination to capture the magnificent beauty of the sunset & sunrise. There are three crescent palm-lined beaches at Kovalam – Lighthouse Beach, Samudra Beach and Hawa beach/Eve’s Beach. All beaches are with rocky premonitory & have a calm sea to enjoy swimming, sunbathing and other water activities.

Apart from watching the magnificent beauty of the sunset & sunrise at Kovalam, there are the famous temples to visit like the Kanyakumari temple, Rock-cut Cave temple and more. When you are here, try to visit the best places to visit near Kovalam like the Padmanabhapuram Palace, Trivandrum Zoo, Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium etc. Try out the enjoyable Ayurveda experience at Kovalam, which is a famous Ayurveda destination. 

Neyyar Dam

A paradise for nature lovers! A charming lake-cum-dam, the Neyyar Dam nestled in the lap of nature 34 km away from Poovar Island is a beautiful location for picnics with family and friends. Since the dam has a Wildlife Sanctuary adjoining it, you can view different species of animals like wild boars, deer and herds of elephants coming down to drink water on the banks of the lake. 

This beautiful dam amidst the greenery of the Western Ghats is surrounded by solitude, and peace and it makes a perfect tourist place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also find an extensive range of medicinal herbs in the vicinity of the dam. Apart from that, the Neyyar Dam stretches from Neyyattinkara Taluk in Thiruvananthapuram district to Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Neyyar Dam is a must-visit place near Poovar Island.

Interesting Questions on Poovar Island

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