cover image containing kovalam beach in the background.
Hy Local Guides,
As you know I already have put down a post about Kovalam but I still need to put through the important attractions in Kovalam. Kovalam has many attractions such as beach/coffee shops/cafes/jewellery shops, etc. Kovalam is marked as an important destination as it is near Poovar islands, Vizhinjam Beach and upcoming Port. Like Goa, Kovalam serves an important role in providing jobs for locals. For Tourists, Kovalam is a good place to visit as it contains various types of hotels, rooms and restaurants. Big parking area 
space is found adjacent to the beach area. The main bus stand, auto stand and cab services are also near the beach area.
How to reach Kovalam:
By plane
International Thiruvananthapuram Airport is just 10km away from Kovalam and you can take cab service from there.
By Train
Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway station is just 11km away from Kovalam and cab/bus services are available and will drop you at the Kovalam bus stand.
By Bus
Thiruvananthapuram Central bus stand is situated opposite to the railway station mentioned above. You can get a Kovalam bus from the entrance of the railway station itself.
## Kovalam/Vizhinjam Lighthouse
left image is lighthouse and right image is details of the lighthouse.
The Vizhinjam/kovalam lighthouse is situated in the southern part of Kerala and was commissioned in 1972. Don’t mistake the lighthouse as it is named Vizhinjam Lighthouse, it is situated near the Kovalam beach ( walkable distances ). They provide parking space , so you don’t need to park at the beach parking side. From now on, they only take cash. They provide Cafeteria and bathrooms ( which are free to use )
Entry fee:
Adult: Rs 20
Children: Rs 10
Senior citizen: Rs 10
Foreigners: Rs 50
Photography ( both mobile and camera): Rs 10
Parking fee: Rs 10
Children below 3 years old are exempted from the entry fee.
Visiting time: 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm
Monday Holiday.
ramp path, lift and stair case of the lighthouse.
Lift is available and as you can see the place is not completely wheelchair accessible but they were in the process of making it when I talked with the authorities.
At the top, you can see the upcoming Vizhinjam port and at the bottom, kovalam beach.
## Sagarika Marine Aquarium
front view and entrance of the Aquarium.
Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium is situated near the Vizhinjam/Kovalam lighthouse. They have roadside parking space( which have less traffic usually). The aquarium is operated by ICAR - CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute). Their office is also situated adjacent to the aquarium. This institute plays an important role in rehabilitating marine species from the coastal region of Trivandrum. They take cash/NFC payments for the entry fee.
Entry fee :
Adult: Rs 20
Children: Rs 10
Photography-
camera: Rs 25
Mobile: Rs 10
Visiting hours:
9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
No Holidays.
wheelchair accessiblity of the Aquarium.
The aquarium is Wheelchair accessible 
but not for the rehabilitation side of the aquarium. They printed every detail about marine species in front of each glass tank.
fishes found in the Aquarium.
Various kinds of marine fish are found in this aquarium. As you can see, even venomous fishes can be found.
starfish found in the Aquarium.
Various types of starfish can be found in the main aquarium and on the rehabilitation side. The most interesting fact about starfish is that they have an “eye-like” feature at the end of their arms which is used to navigate. If you think starfish are slow and cute, there are some species of starfish which certain anemones/other marine organisms.
lobsters found in the Aquarium.
In the above image, you can see different kinds of lobsters. The rapid change in temperature in the sea is affecting lobsters and their life cycle. In this aquarium, they rehabilitate rescued lobsters and if by any chance get a pair of that same species, they breed them raise the young ones and release them into the wild.
sea anemones found in the Aquarium.
You can see anemones which “Nemo” is making his home. Anemones are the literal backbones of corals. They provide home to various fishes and in return they get food. Anemones can reproduce asexually by splitting in half in the middle by itself/other organisms. Nowadays temperature, plastic and overpopulation of anemones eating starfish are the reasons for their decline.
type of marine fish found in Indian Coast.
The above image is of marine fishes found in the Indian coastal region ( spans from Goa to Kanyakumari).
I hope you like this attractions from Kovalam.
@TravellerG @TusharSuradkar @AjitThite @Gurukrishnapriya @NareshDarji @StephenAbraham
