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Home / Beaches / Shanghumukham Beach

Shanghumukham Beach

Пляж Шангхумукхам
India · Beach · Thiruvananthapuram
moderate
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children, lovers of evening walks and sunset watching. Suitable for picnics. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.

Best month

January

Water
+29.0°C
Length
2 000 m
A popular city beach 9 km from the centre of Thiruvananthapuram. It features golden sand and a mermaid statue, popular for walks and sunset watching.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A popular city beach 9 km from the centre of Thiruvananthapuram. It features golden sand and a mermaid statue, popular for walks and sunset watching.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Golden sand
  • Mermaid sculpture
  • Children-s park
  • Nehru statue
  • Beautiful sunsets
  • Promenade for walks
  • Restaurants and cafés nearby

Cons

  • Swimming not recommended
  • Strong currents
  • Can be crowded
  • Periodic water quality warnings
  • Noisy
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children, lovers of evening walks and sunset watching. Suitable for picnics. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Shanghumukham Beach is known for its 35-metre mermaid sculpture, created by sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman. It is one of the most photographed spots in Thiruvananthapuram. The beach is the "Arattukadavu" — the site of the sacred bath of the idols of Sree Padmanabha.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
2 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
0.6 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
—
Season end
—
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
minimal
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
8.0 km
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
5 pcs
Best restaurants

Old Coffee House

Indian and Cafe

Legendary cafe on Shanghumukham beach, known for bread and stew dishes, sunset views

Star Fish Restaurant

Seafood

Beachfront seafood restaurant with open kiosks and an open-air theatre

Sindhoor Park Restaurant

Indian

Restaurant with Indian cuisine and affordable prices on Shanghumukham beach

Hanami

Asian

Highly rated Asian cuisine restaurant in Kannanthura

Nearby cuisines

Indian

Indian cuisine with seafood and spices

Must try: Curry, fresh fish, rice

Seafood

Fresh Arabian Sea seafood

Must try: Grilled fish, prawns, crab

Cafe

Cafe with snacks and drinks

Must try: Coffee, snacks, desserts
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Flip-flops Cash Camera Picnic mat
Best Time to Swim
Best time is November to February when the weather is most comfortable. In the evening — beautiful sunsets. Avoid the monsoon season (June–September).
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Exercise caution on rocks. Littering is prohibited. Respect religious ceremonies.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Mermaid Sculpture

35-metre mermaid sculpture, symbol of the beach.

Trivandrum International Airport

Airport 2 km from the beach.

Veli Tourist Village

Tourist village with a boat station and park.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Shanghumukham Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity moderate, average temperature +29.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Shanghumukham Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 0.6 m.
Shanghumukham Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Shanghumukham Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 2 000 metres.
Shanghumukham Beach: when is the swimming season?
The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Shanghumukham Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — minimal. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Shanghumukham Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: toilets, parking, kids playground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Shanghumukham Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor.
Shanghumukham Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Old Coffee House, Star Fish Restaurant, Sindhoor Park Restaurant. Cuisines available: Indian, Seafood, Cafe. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Shanghumukham Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Flip-flops, Cash, Camera, Picnic mat.
Shanghumukham Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Best time is November to February when the weather is most comfortable. In the evening — beautiful sunsets. Avoid the monsoon season (June–September).
Shanghumukham Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Exercise caution on rocks. Littering is prohibited. Respect religious ceremonies.
Shanghumukham Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children, lovers of evening walks and sunset watching. Suitable for picnics. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents.
Shanghumukham Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Shanghumukham Beach is known for its 35-metre mermaid sculpture, created by sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman. It is one of the most photographed spots in Thiruvananthapuram. The beach is the "Arattukadavu" — the site of the sacred bath of the idols of Sree Padmanabha.
Shanghumukham Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Golden sand, Mermaid sculpture, Children-s park, Nehru statue, Beautiful sunsets, Promenade for walks, Restaurants and cafés nearby. Cons: Swimming not recommended, Strong currents, Can be crowded, Periodic water quality warnings, Noisy.
Shanghumukham Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Mermaid Sculpture, Trivandrum International Airport, Veli Tourist Village. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Shanghumukham Beach: how do I get to the city of Thiruvananthapuram?
The beach is located near the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Thiruvananthapuram.

City

Thiruvananthapuram

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.