Fort Kochi Beach
Fort Kochi Beach is the only one of these beaches near Fort Kochi reachable without crossing water, a two-minute walk past Vasco da Gama Square, open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. A granite walkway leads down to the sand, with the fishing nets' cantilevered frames working the tide through the evening. The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach carry a centuries-old mechanism and story of their own, covered in full in our dedicated guide.
Known for: Facing the Chinese fishing nets and Vasco da Gama Square, with sunset views over the Arabian Sea; a section near Fort Immanuel stays off-limits, held by the Indian Navy
What to Do: Walk the granite walkway, swim, play beach volleyball, take a short boat ride, or eat the day's catch: fish, prawns, and crab, grilled or fried in the coastal Kerala style.
Puthuvype Beach
Puthuvype Beach ranks among the longer stretches of sand on this side of Kochi, grouped with Cherai and Kuzhupilly as one of Vypin Island's main beaches. A short car ferry crossing from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island gets you there, the water close enough to touch the whole way across. The crossing puts Puthuvype about 4 to 5 km beyond the jetty, close enough for a half-day out and back.
Driving instead means the longer road route, roughly 18 to 20 km over the Goshree bridges that connect Vypin to the mainland, worth it only if you would rather skip the ferry queue.
Known for: One of the longer, less developed stretches of sand on Vypin Island
What to Do: Cross by car ferry or drive over the Goshree bridges, then walk the open sand toward the horizon.
Kuzhupilly Beach
Kuzhupilly Beach sits approximately 18 to 20 km from Kochi. Fringed by Casuarina groves, with paddy fields and coconut plantations stretching inland, the beach is known for its golden sands, gentle waves, and calm waters that make swimming a popular activity.
At times, colourful kite festivals bring a lively atmosphere to the shoreline, while the peaceful setting also invites long walks, beach games, or an evening spent watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea.
Known for: Casuarina-lined golden sand, paddy fields and coconut groves behind the beach, and kite festivals through the season
What to Do: Swim in calm water, lounge under palm-thatched umbrellas, or play a game of beach volleyball.
Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach, Kochi, lies approximately 26 km from Kochi, on the northern tip of Vypin Island, reached by a drive that runs alongside palm-fringed backwater canals for most of the way. The water stays calm enough for swimming, with dolphins a frequent sight close to shore.
Time the drive out to double as a stop on the Kochi backwaters, since the road follows the same canals for most of the way.
Known for: Calm swimming water, frequent dolphin sightings, and its own Chinese fishing nets, known locally as China Vala
What to Do: Swim, watch for dolphins, eat coconut-based Kerala dishes and fresh seafood from beachside vendors, and pair the trip with a stop on the backwaters.
The backwaters begin just a short drive from our door, where the canals widen into Vembanad Lake and the pace of the day slows with them. Local fishermen still work the nets after dark, and a night out with them, lanterns lit over the water, is among the more memorable ways to spend an evening here, alongside the sunsets most visitors come for. For beach days that start on Vypin Island and end back in Fort Kochi, our heritage stay in Fort Kochi works as the perfect retreat in between.
Heritage Woven into Every Room
15 unique, vintage rooms fill our two floors, no two alike, offering a heritage stay in Kochi. Colonial pillars and tall ceilings frame the halls between them, arched doorways leading from one room to the next, and a four-poster bed anchors most. Centuries-old carved doors and artefacts made by craftsmen from the region sit throughout the rooms and common areas. Windows open onto the Chinese fishing nets in some rooms, the garden and pool in others, with the vibrant streets of Fort Kochi just beyond.
Dining at The Tower House: Farm to Table
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients shape every meal at Tower House Restaurant, where spices from nearby markets, authentic Kerala recipes, and the region's freshest seafood come together in a heritage setting. Prepared by chefs from the region, each dish reflects generations of local cooking traditions, while a selection of global favourites offers familiar flavours alongside Kerala's coastal classics.
For a true taste of the coast, cast a line, bring back your catch, and watch it return as lunch or dinner, prepared exactly the way the region knows best. Every plate carries the freshness of the morning and the character of the people behind it, whether it's seafood cooked to a family recipe or a comforting Kerala curry rich with locally sourced spices. As dusk settles, poolside dinners pair the aroma of fresh seafood and warm spices with the quiet charm of the evening.