As the Blue Flag Beach, Kovalam is a significant tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu. Located about 40 km from Chennai, its scenic shores are best known for water sports, making it a perfect hub for adventure enthusiasts.
Also known as Covelong, the beach gets its name from the nearby fishing village of Covelong, situated in the Chengalpattu district. Back in the 1700s, it was a port town ruled by the Nawab of Carnatic, French, and British. However, what attracts tourists here is the coveted Blue Flag certification, meaning that the beach is an eco-friendly destination, with hygiene-related measures such as clean bathing facilities or zero waste management systems in check. Rewarded the esteemed title by the Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark (FEE) in 2021, Kovalam Beach is among the country's top 10 sustainable beaches today.