Best Time to Visit & Places to Explore at Cherai Beach in Kochi

Kochi has been a popular tourist destination with explorers and tourists for centuries. Historically, many tourists and traders from across the world have travelled to Kochi for the fragrant spices and ivory. The Kingdom of Travancore, Kingdom of Zamorin and the princely state of Kochi make today’s Kerala. Kochi is also known as Cochin. One of the most popular places to visit in Kochi is Cherai Beach.

Best Time To Visit Cherai Beach At Kochi

The best time to visit Kochi and head to Cherai is between the months of October to March as the region enjoys the most pleasant weather during this period. You can enjoy activities like exploring the backwaters, visiting temples, churches and palaces, and relaxing at any of the resorts in Cherai beach with your family members. Let us explore more about some such activities to do at Cherai in Kochi.

• Mesmerising Chinese Fishing Nets at Cherai

• Water Sports and Dolphins

• Lush Green Paddy Fields and Welcoming Villages

• Land Of Temples, Churches and Palaces

• Cheraman Juma Masjid and Sahodhara Bhavan

• Tourist Villages and Fun-filled Parks

• Performing Arts and Carnival

Mesmerising Chinese Fishing Nets at Cherai

If you are wondering about the places to visit in Cherai then visit the beach to witness the marvel of the Chinese fishing nets. These shore-operated fishing nets are used by the fishermen in Kochi, Vypin and Cherai in Kerala. The Chinese fishing nets are a quintessential feature of the Kerala landscape. Popularly known as Cheenavala in Malayalam, Chinese fishing nets are an unforgettable tourist attraction in Kochi. Tourists visiting Fort Kochi rarely miss this iconic feature. It is said that the Chinese fishing nets were brought to Kochi during the 14th Century by the famous Chinese explorer Zheng He from the court of the Chinese emperor Kubala Khan.

Another well-known story says that the basic design of the fishing nets was brought to Kochi from Macau by the Portuguese who colonised both Kochi and Macau in the 16th century. These fishing nets are the most photographed Kerala attractions. These huge, shore-operated lift-nets are manoeuvered by a team of five to six fishermen.

The Cherai beach resorts will be ideal for relaxing when here. Watching the functioning and unique method of operating these fishing nets at Cherai should certainly be on your list of things to do in Kochi.

Water Sports and Dolphins

Cherai is a tiny town located on the northern periphery of Vypin Island. It has a lot to offer to tourists looking for an adventurous holiday. The resorts at Cherai beach are perfect to unwind, relax and explore the local nature and culture. It is popular for its beach and also the amazing backwaters. You and your family can witness from close quarters the charming villages and the fascinating rural life. The sight of the backwaters, islands and lagoons is breathtakingly beautiful. Beach lovers can indulge in sunbathing and unwind with a book and soothing drinks. Children often enjoy being at the beach too. It is an ideal holiday for you and your family. The sea here is fairly safe for swimming and there are amazing options for water sports.

You can plan snorkelling sessions, rides on motor boats and water scooters. This beach is famous for spotting dolphins. Keep your cameras ready to capture these incredible animals in the sea. It is easy to reach here from Kochi as it is located at a distance of 20 kilometres from the Kochi International Airport.

The 10-kilometre-long beach is a perfect destination if you are looking forward to some relaxation. The exceptional feature of Cherai is the sea and backwaters. Both can be witnessed at their best at Cherai. The beach is clean and friendly for family activities, large groups as well as honeymooning couples. Cherai is famous in Kochi for the exciting options of water sports. You can book a stay at any of the comfortable Cherai beach resorts. Tourists can experience the adrenalin rush with kayaking and jet ski rides. There are other fun activities like banana rides and sofa rides. Cherai offers the unparalleled thrill of water sports which is unlike any other destination in Kochi. The district administration has provided excellent water sports facilities for those who want to try something fun and adventurous.

Lush Green Paddy Fields and Welcoming Villages

The picturesque little town by the bay is home to busy backwaters and welcoming villages. The backwaters are an unmissable feature of this lush green land. The simple villages offer warm hospitality to visitors. You and your family members can witness the rural life closely and learn a lot about how the common people of Kerala live. The simplicity and honesty of the village-life will leave an everlasting impression on your mind.

It is a great idea to rent bicycles and ride through the lanes and roads lined with tall coconut trees. You will get to witness the daily life of the people, the humble houses, hardworking farmers, and the boatmen tending to the houseboats.

You can also participate in the Annual Kite Flying Festival organised by the locals. It is a fun-filled festival where people across all age groups indulge in flying various types of kites. The people of Cherai decorate their villages on this day and create beautiful kites of various shapes and sizes. Flying kites will surely be an enthralling experience for you and your family members.

The backwaters of Cherai are famous for the abundant beauty of the flora and fauna. Cherai is endowed with an amazing coastline as well as the serene backwaters. The backwaters are the lifelines for the people of Kerala. These waterways are home to aquatic life, plants and a perennial source of food, transport, and trade for the locals. The villages are well-connected because of the uninterrupted backwaters. They also provide daily water and fish to the locals. A variety of festivals are celebrated on the backwaters. These serene stretches of sweet water also attract tourists throughout the year. You can book a houseboat and enjoy the backwaters in a relaxed manner. The view of the surrounding villages, tall coconut trees, paddy fields, fishermen and the delicious fish from the sweet water will make this experience truly memorable.

The paddy fields of Cherai will complete your experience of authentic Kerala tourism. The lush green paddy fields look straight out of a storybook. The landscape will not cease to amaze you with abundant natural beauty that includes the paddy fields.

Kerala produces a huge quantity of rice. The local farmers toil hard for the entire year to harvest the rice. It is a staple food of the people of Kerala. The lush green paddy fields instantly relax your senses and introduce you to the real culture of Kerala.

Land Of Temples, Churches and Palaces

While you enjoy your relaxing stay at the Cherai beach resorts, you can visit several temples, churches and palaces. Cherai is an amazing little gem as it is home to many important temples, churches and palaces. Among the religious places, the prominent one is Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple, Azheekkal Sree Varaha Temple, the Thiruvanchikulam Temple and the Kodungallur Bhagawati Temple, and Basilica of Our Lady of the Snow.

The Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple is a Chaturmukha temple. It is considered to be one of its kind in Asia. The temple is crowded with visitors almost all around the year. Lord Subrahmanyam is the presiding deity of this temple. At the beginning of each year, several elephants are decorated with amazing ornaments as a part of grand festivities. People arrange a procession of the decorated elephants that culminates at the Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple. If you are travelling with your family or friends then make it a point to participate in this colourful extravaganza.

Azheekkal Sree Varaha temple’s presiding deity is Sree Varaha. An important temple for the locals, the Azheekkal Sree Varaha temple attracts a lot of devotees during all important festivals.

The temples here display a variety of architectural styles and are known for elaborate and intricate designs. The people of Kerala are religious and Cherai is also popular among those interested in spiritual or religious tourism. Photography enthusiasts also love making these temples the subjects of their pictures.

Built by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, the Pallipuram Fort is one of the oldest structures in Kerala. The people of Cherai take great pride in the fact that many monuments of historical and religious importance are located in and around Cherai. The Portuguese established the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snow in 1503 at Pallippuram near Cherai. The annual feast is celebrated on the 5th of August. Popularly known as the Manjumatha Church, it stands as a symbol of cultural unity and integrity of the people of Cherai.

Kerala boasts of a vibrant ethos that is home to all faiths and religions. The places of worship in Cherai hold a special place in the hearts of the local people. Festivals are celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. This is also the best time to visit Kochi and explore its other regions. This church has witnessed many upheavals during the course of history. A visit to this church will surely be a great learning experience.

Cheraman Juma Masjid and Sahodhara Bhavan

The red rooftops and blue walls of Cheraman Juma Masjid make this lovely mosque look like a monument right out of a picture book. The Juma prayers are regularly held at this historically important mosque. The calmness of the surroundings makes this mosque truly special. The people of Kochi consider this mosque as an important place and congregate to celebrate many significant festivals and days.

The Sahodhara Bhavan is a beautiful abode of the late Sahodharan Ayappan. He was a renowned social reformer and a well-known politician. His social reforms made a fundamental difference to the social fabric of Kerala. Sahodhara Bhavan is open for public visits. You can enjoy a fantastic view of the Periyar River from here.

Tourist Villages and Fun-filled Parks

The tourist villages of Kochi are on top of the list of places to visit in Kerala. India’s first eco-tourism village Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village is well-known for hosting several tourists who are interested in understanding the village life and culture of Kerala in an eco-friendly way. You can get busy here with activities like closely observing and participating in the local paddy cultivation.

The thick mangroves are home to rare flora and fauna. Environmental conversationalists often visit this village to understanding better how to protect the local ecology. You can participate in the local festivals and enjoy fishing with the fisher-folks. The amusement parks in Kochi are an unmissable tourist attraction if you are travelling with children. Children can enjoy a variety of rides, a musical fountain and boating here. Don’t miss out on this tourist place in Kochi while planning your Kerala tourism itinerary with your family!

Performing Arts and Carnival

Cherai is situated in Kochi, a place that is known for a vibrant and buzzing cultural and art scene. You can find a lot of fun-filled and amusing activities related to performing arts at Kochi. The culture of Kerala is rich with music, dance, literature, drama and art. At Kochi, you can witness the glorious and colourful performance of Kathakali dancers. Kathakali is a unique dance form that combines dance and drama.

A rejuvenating stay at Cherai beach resorts will give you a lot of time to explore the local festivals. The Cochin Carnival or Kochi Carnival is a colourful festival celebrated in the last week of December. Groups of local people organise many fun-filled activities like fancy dress parades, dances, and competitions. Many youngsters take part in thrilling bike races, and exciting games that can be played on the beach.

Want to go offbeat during your family vacation? Here are some of the offbeat places to visit in Cherai to make the most of your family holiday!