Vizhinjam Light House Kovalam

Vizhinjam Light House Kovalam stands as one of the most recognizable coastal landmarks in Thiruvananthapuram district, perched atop Kurumkal Hill near the famous Kovalam beach. Rising to a height of about 36 metres, this cylindrical tower is easily identified by its striking red and white horizontal bands. The structure was commissioned into service on 30 June 1972, and its powerful beam, with a focal height of roughly 57 metres above sea level, guides ships safely along this stretch of the Arabian Sea coastline even today.

Long before the present tower was built, Vizhinjam held importance as a natural fishing harbour and a busy seaport during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with trade links extending toward the Malabar Coast and beyond. As shipping activity declined through the later nineteenth century, the port fell into a quiet phase, though a day mark beacon was maintained at the site through the 1960s to assist vessels before the modern lighthouse took over navigational duties.

Today, Vizhinjam Light House Kovalam is as much a visitor attraction as a working aid to navigation. Tourists climb its spiral staircase for a close-up view of the lighthouse machinery and to reach the viewing gallery near the top, where sweeping panoramas of Kovalam's coconut groves, rocky shoreline, and the neighbouring Lighthouse Beach unfold. It is this very structure that gave Lighthouse Beach its popular name.

Conveniently located just off the main road connecting Vizhinjam to Thiruvananthapuram city, the lighthouse is an easy addition to a day trip around Kovalam. Its blend of maritime history, engineering, and scenic elevation makes it a favoured stop for photographers, families, and anyone exploring Kerala's southern coast.