Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
From the serene Western Ghats to the vast Arabian Sea, adventure sports in Kerala provide a range of fun and exciting activities outdoors for the soul. Kerala is known for adventure sports ranging from serene backwaters to activities that are preceded by only a few and are designed to leave you breathless and exhilarated. From thrilling water sports to leisurely walks on sandy beaches, Kerala promises a range of activities that captivate and invigorate, ensuring unforgettable moments for every adventurer.
13 Adventure Sports In Kerala
Kerala offers many adventurous sports to cater to different interests and experience levels. Here are some of the popular options for the best adventure sports in Kerala:
1. Trekking
Photo: Jyoti Singh / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the best things to do in Kerala is trekking, where trails wind through a tapestry of shifting scenery that includes wide grasslands with wildflowers, waterfalls, and voices in the wilderness and dense forests of bamboo. The beauty of hiking is in its ability to break free from the fundamental ebbs and flows. There is more to this enchanted area than meets the eye. It also tells stories of a different century, of long-gone temples and little towns whose traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Cost/Person: Depends on the route
Popular Destinations: Munnar, Wayanad, Vagamon, Eravikulam National Park and many more
Suggested Read: Beaches In Kerala
2. Rock Climbing
Photo: Curdin / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The soul of adventure is rock climbing in Kerala. Towering granite cliffs at Palakkad and the laterite quarries of Idukki are but a few certainly unknown landscapes that offer practice pitches to seasoned climbers and beginners alike in the diverse landscape of Kerala. Such a tranquil atmosphere of the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, coupled with the exotic calling of birds which at times may break this tranquillity, gives the feeling of reaching the top.
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Rock Climbing Cost/Person: From ₹200 onwards
Popular Destinations: Thenmala Eco-tourism Zone, Eravikulam National Park and many more
3. Paragliding
Photo: Leonardo Yip / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Paragliding in Kerala supplies a different view for any visitor to see, with all the enchanting beauty of nature from a bird’s-eye perspective. It’s more than just a physical experience; it gives one the feeling of emancipation and joining with the sky. Whether you are an experienced sportsman looking for an adrenaline shot or just a novice powered by curiosity, tandem paragliding allows one confidence in riding air currents. IDuring paragliding, one is exposed to the hitherto hidden beauty viewed through a bird’s-eye perspective.
Best Time To Visit: September to January & March to May
Paragliding Cost/Person: From ₹3500 onwards
Popular Destinations: Parunthampara, Varkala, Vagamon and many more
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kerala
4. Parasailing
Photo: Danny Postma / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Parasailing in Kerala is another way of enjoying the many things Kerala has to offer. It gives an insight into the beauty of the sea, hidden coves and the festivity of the fishing boats. While paragliding requires some amount of prior experience, parasailing doesn’t need any. It offers glimpses of hidden wonders within the embrace of Kerala. The experience transcends the physical and binds one with the sky to discover the magic of Kerala from a whole new perspective.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Parasailing Cost/Person: From ₹1800 onwards
Popular Destinations: Varkala
5. River Rafting
Photo: rezawikan / pixabay / Image For Representation only
Kerala river rafting offers a mixed bag of thrills and beauty to make rafting one of the best experiences in Kerala for those who are in for a complete dose of adrenaline. Others, seeking a budding experience, can check out rafting options at the Periyar River. It is a different challenge that everybody faces at each rapid, needing a lifeline that calls for more teamwork and courage.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
River Rafting Cost/Person: From ₹2000 onwards
Popular Destinations: Periyar National Park, Kuruvadweep, Cherupuzha, Pozhuthana and many more
Suggested Read: Theme Parks In Kerala
6. Kayaking
Photo: Michael Hamments / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kayaking is rather a meditation journey across a world of beauty. Kayaking in Kerala is a meditative dance that soaks you in the sights and sounds around you. Unlike white-water rapids, it needs no experience and allows exploration at one’s speed. These calm waters give one the opportunity and liberty to explore the unexplored coves, paddle along the narrow canals, and discover secret waterways that remain unseen by most travellers. Kayaking in Kerala is a view into another era and you witness timeless traditions that come alive more than an ordinary scenic ride.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Kayaking Cost/Person: From ₹500 onwards
Popular Destinations: Alleppey Backwaters Village
7. Canoeing
Photo: Kristin O Karlsen / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Canoeing in Kerala, a gentle movement across the landscape with the rhythmic lap of water against the hull, is like a soporific cradle song. Canoeing brings one closer to nature. Some unique sights, sounds, and smells of Kerala can be imbibed only in this fashion. It also opens a window into the rich cultural heritage of Kerala—to local villages, artisans, and rituals. Canoeing offers a unique experience to families, couples, and solo travellers alike, thus it is one of the best things to do in Kerala.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
Cost/Person: From ₹500 onwards
Popular Destinations: Alleppey Backwaters Village, Punnamada Lake, Kochi Mangroves and many more
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kerala With Family
8. Bamboo Rafting
Photo: Simon Hurry / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Bamboo rafting in Kerala binds tourists with nature and the landscape around them. While the motorised houseboats can’t afford to get close to nature, bamboo rafts bring more intimacy with the ecosystem; tourists get to be one with the environment. Since bamboo rafting is eco-friendly, it brings out regular traditional life in Kerala. Local fishermen practising their age-old techniques and women washing clothes on canal banks are wonderful sights to look out for during bamboo rafting.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Cost/Person: From ₹800 onwards
Popular Destinations: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and many more
9. Mountain Biking
Photo: Jaime Dantas / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Western Ghats offer quite an Eldorado for mountain bikers, a tapestry of loose gravel, rocky outcrops, and surge-inducing descents. Each turn can unfurl new wonders before your eyes, hidden waterfalls, riotously colourful spice plantations, or even a shy deer darting across the path. It is here that the very essence of Kerala’s beauty unfolds. While the more seasoned riders challenge their limits on the more demanding single-track trails of Wayanad or Munnar, beginners ride along gentler paths amidst beauty in and around Munnar or Idukki.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Cost/Person: Depends on the ranting terms
Popular Destinations: BlackBerry Hills, Amminikkada, Chalakudy River, West Chathalloor and many more
Suggested Read: Kerala Nightlife
10. Scuba Diving
Photo: Simon Infanger / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Scuba diving in Kerala is weightless and takes a person into an unseen beautiful world of vibrant coral reefs, fish, and other living organisms. Not just the land area, the entire coastline is stunning above water and goes on to become kaleidoscopic in colour underneath the waves. The beauty of scuba diving lies in its accessibility for people of different experience levels. Soft dives for first-timers provide a secure initiation; more challenging dives take you through shipwrecks and submerged coral gardens.
Best Time To Visit: September to February
Scuba Diving Cost/Person: From ₹5000 onwards
Popular Destinations: Kovalam, Kochi, Munnar, Varkala and many more
11. Snorkelling
Photo: Chuan / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Snorkelling in Kerala is an easy way to view something close to a hidden world of awesome beauty and provides a peek into underwater wonders lying just beneath the surface. Of course, this is one of the great beauties of snorkelling—it doesn’t need any special training or certification. While scuba diving is a visual animated UI view, snorkelling in Kerala brings a chance to be related to the marine ecosystem in a way that one can’t get from the top.
Best Time To Visit: October to February & March to May
Snorkelling Cost/Person: From ₹500 onwards
Popular Destinations: Varkala Beach, Kovalam Beach, Kannur Beach and many more
Suggested Read: Water Parks In Kerala
12. Surfing
Photo: Jeremy Bishop / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Surfing in Kerala is an experience beyond the flesh, a mighty physical effort combined with the excitement of freedom. The extensive coastline of Kerala transforms into a haven for all those surfers out there during the monsoon months. Kovalam and Varkala become key spots. What makes surfing in Kerala so beautiful is its accessibility to different levels of experience. Kovalam, with its gentle waves, is a great site for beginners to get a feel of the sport. Varkala, with powerful breaks, challenges the more experienced surfers.
Best Time To Visit: April to May
Surfing Cost/Person: From ₹1500 onwards
Popular Destinations: Varkala, Kovalam and many more
13. Zip Lining
Photo: Álvaro Arcelus / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Ziplining in Kerala is a very alluring and thrilling adventure sport. No experience is required, and one can see the grandeur of the Western Ghats during the activity. The beauty of ziplining is that it requires no experience. Whether it is the seasoned thrill-seeker or the curious first-timer, ziplining offers a safe and exhilarating way to view the Western Ghats in their majesty from a thrilling height. The real reward of ziplining in Kerala is beyond the exhilarating ride.
Best Time To Visit: June to September
Zip Lining Cost/Person: From ₹250 onwards
Popular Destinations: Munnar, Wayanad, Vagamon and many more
Suggested Read: Water Sports In Kerala
Adventure sports in Kerala resonate with much more than a mere visual experience. They offer an enthralling experience amidst rich tapestry and untouched beauty. Kerala has everything from refreshing dips to heart-pumping scuba diving and serene kayaking spots. Tourists have to be responsible and respect local communities and the environment. Plan your water sports adventure now with TripXL to find the perfect accommodation, explore activities, and book.
Cover Photo: Cem Sagisman / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
