Kovalam is most famous for its three pristine beaches with shallow waters and low tidal waves where one can go surfing, wooden and motor boat riding. These three alluring beaches are Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach.

Lighthouse Beach is largest beach and is most frequently visited by tourists. It is Southernmost beach and gets its name due to the old Vizhinjam Lighthouse located on a 35 meter high on the top of the Kurumkal hillock. The lighthouse is built using red & white coloured stones. Its intermittent beams at night render the beach with an unearthly charm.

Hawah Beach is ranked in second number, with a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. This beach is named so thus for the topless European women who used to come here.

Samudra Beach is not visited by tourists only local fishermen ply their trade on this part.