Kovalam - one of the world's great beaches

according to the London Daily Telegraph who state...

Kerala provides a gentle introduction to India and Kovalam, on the Malabar coast, is one of the most popular beach hangouts in the sub-continent. Its bays of white sand and coconut palms are a great place for families, with safe swimming and a good variety of beach activities, including kayaking, surfing and water skiing. Small shops selling handicrafts, jewellery and clothes line the waterfront as well as a number of excellent restaurants, which lure diners in by displaying the day's catch - from lobster to swordfish - outside. In the evening, Kovalam comes to life with performances of Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. www.kovalam.com

For a newspaper article this sounds like tourist board talk. Its not quite like that, the swimming can be dangerous, but it is fun and way nicer than Goa.