Planning a trip to Chavakkad Beach in Kerala with kids or family? This is your no-nonsense, fully-loaded travel handbook. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed beach day, a short island boating trip, camel rides for the kids, or beach buggy fun for teens, Chavakkad has more than you think.
We’ve compiled everything you need to know: activities, ticket prices, timings, food options, safety tips, what to pack, and things locals wish tourists knew.
📍 Where is Chavakkad Beach?
Location: 5 km from Guruvayur Temple, Thrissur District, Kerala
Type: Sandy, flat beach with an estuary (azhimukham)
Known For: Quiet sunset views, fishing harbour, backwaters meeting the sea
✅ Thing to Know Before You Go
| Travel Essentials | |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | October – March (cool, dry months) |
| Best Time of Day | 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM – 6:45 PM |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Lifeguard Presence | Weekends/Holidays only (not permanent) |
| Parking | ₹20–₹50 (public parking near entrance) |
| Mobile Network | Good coverage (Jio, Airtel, BSNL) |
| Toilet Facilities | Basic pay-&-use near beach entrance |
| Dress Code | Modest beachwear preferred (local area) |
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Activities & Prices at Chavakkad Beach
Though it’s less commercial than other beaches, Chavakkad has some wonderful family experiences, especially for those who love simple, active fun by the sea. Here’s the full and updated list of things to do with kids and family:
🐪 Camel & Horse Rides
Price: ₹100 (Camel), ₹50–₹80 (Horse per child for 5–10 mins)
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM (daily, more available on weekends)
Age Group: Ideal for kids 3+, accompanied by adults
Tip: Hold the rope if walking beside kids, and watch out for uneven sand.
🏎️ Beach Buggy Rides (NEW!)
Price: ₹200–₹300 per ride (for 2 persons, 5 mins)
Availability: Weekends, holidays, school vacations
Operator Area: Northern end of the beach
Tip: Ask for a helmet for kids above 6; not suitable for toddlers
🚤 Island Boating Trip (Estuary to Mini Island)
Price: ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 per boat (shared or private – 4 to 6 people)
Duration: 30–45 mins
Where to Book: River mouth area (Azhimukham zone)
Highlights: Confluence of Bharathapuzha River and Arabian Sea, tiny sandbar island visit
Tip: Go before sunset; carry water and a small towel if taking kids
🌉 Floating Bridge Experience (Seasonal Highlight)
What Is It: A temporary floating plastic pontoon bridge across the estuary, allowing you to walk over water!
Price: ₹20–₹30 per person
Timing: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM (when installed, usually during festival/holiday seasons)
Safety: Life jackets available for children; slippery if wet
Tip: Hold children’s hands; go early evening when it’s less hot. Great for family photos!
🎣 Fishing Harbour Visit
Cost: Free
Best Time: 6:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Why Go: Watch fishermen bring in fresh catch with traditional nets, fascinating for kids
Tip: Wear closed footwear, the floor may be wet and fishy
📸 Sunset Photography & Shell Collecting
Cost: Free
Best Time: 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM (golden hour!)
Fun Factor: Great for creative family pictures and small shell treasure hunts
🏐 Play & Picnic Zone (BYO Zone)
Facilities: No formal playground, but wide open sandy space
Suggested Bring-Alongs: Beach ball, mat, kite, tent, and snacks
Good For: Family time, group games, toddler sand play
✅ Hidden Tip: Set up near the northern end for less crowd and better shade under coconut groves.
🛶 Island Boating Ride from Chavakkad Beach
One of the most unique and lesser-known activities at Chavakkad Beach is the island boating ride, where local boatmen take you from the beach’s river mouth (azhimukham) to a small sandbar island surrounded by shallow waters. This peaceful estuary zone is where the Bharathapuzha River merges with the Arabian Sea, a rare geographical meeting point and an experience that’s as scenic as it is serene.
🏝️ What Is the Island Ride?
You’ll board a small traditional motorboat or fishing canoe (converted for tourists), operated by local fishermen. The boat gently cruises through the backwater canal and opens into the estuary. You’ll disembark on a temporary island or sandbar, where you can walk around, take photos, or simply relax.
This is not a commercial tourist island, it’s a natural, seasonal formation, making it feel like a true off-grid escape.
📌 Chavakkad Beach Island Boating Ride
🧒 Is It Safe for Kids?
Yes, this ride is considered safe for kids and senior citizens, provided:
The sea is calm (which it usually is in the morning/evening)
You wear the provided life jackets (ask if not offered!)
You supervise children while on the islan, no fencing or lifeguards
You return before dusk, tides may rise quickly after dark
🥾 What Can You Do on the Island?
🏖️ Walk barefoot on soft, wet sand
🐚 Collect shells with your children
📸 Take silhouette photos against the horizon
🍃 Enjoy a peaceful break without any stalls or noise
🌅 Watch the sun set into the Arabian Sea (if going in the evening)
✅ Hidden Tip: Carry a mini picnic (juice boxes, fruit, mat), and clean up after yourself to help keep the place pristine.
🔍 Important Notes
🚫 There are no toilets or shops on the island, plan accordingly
🩴 Wear footwear you can remove easily, you’ll step in shallow water while getting on/off the boat
🧴 Bring sunscreen and a hat for morning rides
📍 Ask the boatman to stop briefly for photos midway, many do it gladly if requested politely
🧭 Combine This with Other Chavakkad Activities
For a complete half-day itinerary:
🐪 Camel ride and snacks at 4:00 PM
🚤 Island ride at 5:00 PM
🌅 Sunset on the beach or from the boat (around 6:30 PM)
✨ Why It’s Special
This boating trip gives you a Kuttanad-style backwater feel, but with a beachy twist. It’s not crowded, overly touristic, or expensive. It’s authentic Kerala coastal life, brought to you by the locals, no middlemen.
It’s the kind of memory your kids will talk about long after the trip is over.
🌊 What Is Chavakkad Estuary Boating?
Chavakkad Estuary Boating refers to the peaceful and scenic boat rides that start at the estuary point (Azhimukham) where the Bharathapuzha River meets the Arabian Sea, right at Chavakkad Beach.
This estuary (known as “Azhimukham” in Malayalam) creates a unique backwater lagoon that is calm, shallow, and safe for small boat rides, making it ideal for families, couples, and first-time visitors.
🚤 What You’ll Experience
A 30–45 minute boat ride through the backwaters and into the estuary
Views of palm-lined riverbanks, fishermen in action, and migratory birds
Optional drop at a mini sandbar island for a short walk and photo session
Gentle waters, great for kids and senior citizens too
🚤 Details of the Chavakkad Estuary Boating Ride
| Boating Information | |
|---|---|
| Starting Point | Near Azhimukham zone (Chavakkad Beach river mouth) |
| Duration | 30–45 minutes (round trip) |
| Boat Type | Traditional motorized boats (4–6 people) |
| Price | ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 per boat |
| Best Time | 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM or 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Kid-Friendly | Yes, suitable for ages 3+ with supervision |
| Safety | Life jackets usually provided, ask to confirm |
| Booking | On the spot near estuary (local boatmen only) |
📍 Where Exactly Is the Estuary?
Walk to the right-hand side of Chavakkad Beach entrance
You’ll see small fishing boats lined up and a channel of calm water flowing into the sea, that’s the estuary zone
🧭 Why It’s Special
It’s one of Kerala’s few unspoiled estuary boating spots
Less crowded than places like Alleppey or Kumarakom
No loud houseboats, just calm waters and quiet scenery
Gives you the feel of Kerala’s backwaters without needing a full-day trip
✅ Hidden Tip
Ask your boatman to stop mid-river for a panoramic family photo with both river and sea in the backdrop, it’s one of the most underrated Instagram spots in Thrissur!
🎁 Other Nearby Experiences
| Activity | Location | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit Guruvayur Temple | Guruvayur | 5 km | Combine beach + temple visit |
| Punnathoor Kotta Elephant Camp | Kottapadi | 4 km | Entry ₹20–₹30; perfect for kids |
| Blangad Beach | North of Chavakkad | 4 km | Quieter beach; great for a picnic |
| Chettuva Backwater Boat Ride | Chettuva | 15 km | Peaceful ride through mangroves |
🧳 What to Pack
Sun cap, sunglasses & sunscreen
Towel or mat for sitting
Baby wipes, diapers, changing mat (for toddlers)
Reusable water bottles (less plastic waste!)
Basic first-aid kit (small cuts, rashes)
✅ Hidden Tip: Bring a foldable beach chair if you’re with elderly family members.
🛍️ What to Buy at Chavakkad
Handmade Coir Items (mats, wall hangings)
Dry Fish & Pickled Mussels (early morning)
Spices & Ayurvedic oils (near Guruvayur Temple Market)
🛡️ Safety Tips for Families
🧒 Kids under 6 should avoid deep water. No lifeguards after 6 PM.
🪑 Keep distance from fishing nets and gear scattered on the shore.
🌊 Tide Alert: Avoid the estuary area (Azhimukham) during monsoon, water current is strong.
🌅 Leave before dark – beach has no street lighting past 7 PM.
Is Chavakkad Beach Worth Visiting with Family?
Yes, especially if you want a clean, safe, uncrowded beach with soft waves and open play areas.
Add in camel rides, buggy fun, and estuary boating and you’ve got a fun half-day or evening trip that works for toddlers, teens, parents, and even grandparents.
It’s not a commercial beach and that’s the magic.
