Top 5 Hidden Gems Near Varkala Cliff

Varkala Cliff is famous worldwide for its dramatic red laterite cliffs jutting out into the sea, fringed by backpacker cafes and yoga retreats. However, if you want to escape the tourist trail, the surrounding area holds incredible secrets.

1. Ponnumthuruth (Golden Island)

Surrounded entirely by the Anjengo backwaters, Golden Island is an uninhabited haven featuring a century-old Shiva-Parvathi temple. The only way to access it is by boat or, for the more adventurous, by kayaking across the lake. It's a surreal, deeply spiritual place completely untouched by commercialization.

2. Anjengo Fort and Lighthouse

A stark reminder of the colonial past, the Anjengo Fort was established by the British East India Company in the 17th century. The nearby lighthouse offers panoramic views of the coast on one side and the sprawling lake on the other.

3. Edava Beach and Estuary

Just a short drive north of the main cliff lies Edava, where you can literally walk on a sandbank that separates the crashing ocean from a tranquil lagoon. It's vastly less crowded than Papanasam Beach.

4. The Mangrove Forests

Often overlooked by tourists sticking to the coast, the dense mangrove forests just inland serve as the lungs of the region. Booking a sunrise kayak tour through these dense green tunnels is often cited as the highlight of many travelers' trips to Kerala.

5. Kappil Lake

Where the backwaters meet the Arabian Sea. The drive towards Kappil is spectacular, with the blue ocean on your left and the tranquil lake on your right.