Backwaters Or Beach: Two Coastal Escapes In Kerala For A Slower Summer

Not all coastal getaways feel the same. Some draw you into stillness, where water moves slowly and time follows. Others open out into long, sunlit days shaped by the sea and sky. Along Kerala’s coastline, these two distinct landscapes offer just that contrast. At Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom and Marari Beach in Mararikulam, summer unfolds in different ways, each with its own pace, mood, and sense of place.

Life on the Water: Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

The journey to Coconut Lagoon begins on the water. A boat ride across Vembanad Lake sets the tone, easing you into the quiet rhythm of the backwaters before you even arrive.

Set along the edge of the lake, the property feels deeply connected to its surroundings. The architecture carries a sense of history, with carved wooden doors, pillars, and entire sections of old tharavads carefully restored and reassembled. It does not feel curated in a polished way, but lived-in, as though each space has carried its past forward.

Days here move gently. You might begin with a canoe ride through the narrow canals of Kuttanad, passing paddy fields and village homes that seem unchanged by time. Walks through coconut groves offer shade and stillness, while small, unexpected moments stay with you, like stopping by Chaya Chechi’s floating tea shop for a cup of tea and a brief exchange that feels familiar despite being new.

As the day settles, food becomes a quiet highlight. Kerala cuisine, centred around fresh catch, coconut, and spice, is served without fuss but with depth of flavour that reflects the region.

Coconut Lagoon is not about doing more. It is about doing less, and noticing more as a result.

By the Sea: Marari Beach, Mararikulam

Further down the coast, Marari Beach offers a different kind of ease. Here, the landscape opens up. The backwaters give way to wide skies, sea breeze, and the steady rhythm of waves.

The villas are simple and thoughtful, with thatched roofs and open-air elements that keep the outdoors always within reach. Each one looks out onto its own patch of green, creating a sense of space without isolation.

Days at Marari Beach tend to unfold without much planning. Mornings can begin with a walk along the shoreline, the beach still quiet except for fishermen heading out or returning with their catch. The sea invites long, unhurried swims, while the property itself offers small ways to engage, from naturalist-led walks to time spent in the butterfly garden, where stillness reveals more than movement.

Meals lean towards fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients, served in a way that complements the setting rather than competing with it. Beyond the property, the village continues at its own pace, adding to the sense that you are part of something local rather than removed from it.

Two Rhythms, One Coast

Coconut Lagoon and Marari Beach offer two distinct ways to experience Kerala’s coast. One draws you inward, into quiet canals and reflective moments. The other opens outward, into light, movement, and the easy familiarity of the sea.

Choosing between them is not simple, nor does it need to be. Each offers its own version of summer, shaped by water, landscape, and the pace you are willing to embrace.