Surfing in Kovalam, Chennai: a beginner's guide

Why Kovalam works for beginners

Kovalam has two kinds of wave. Inside the cove the waves are gentle, which suits first-timers. Further out are point breaks that experienced surfers ride. So a beginner and a more confident friend can surf the same beach on the same morning. Local fishermen have taken up the sport too. Several have competed nationally and now coach visitors, so the surf scene here feels like part of the village rather than a resort add-on.

When to go

The sources don't agree on one "best" season, so here is what each says:

• Lonely Planet (2019): the beach and reef breaks perform best from June to September.
• Lonely Planet's newer surf guide (2025): August to March is the popular period.
• Outlook Traveller: beginners should avoid June to August and come between November and February, when the sea is usually calmer.

A simple rule: first-timers should aim for the cooler months. If you already surf and want more power, come mid-year. Either way, ask your instructor about conditions the day before.

Where to take lessons

Several surf schools teach on Kovalam beach. Contact them directly for current lesson times and fees.

• Bay of Life Surf School. Founded in 2011 by Showkath Jamal, it teaches surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Lonely Planet describes it as the first accredited surf school in Tamil Nadu. Its foundation has offered free lessons to people who clear rubbish from the beach. That offer was reported in 2021, so check that it still runs.
• Covelong Point surf school. Started in 2012 by local surfer and fisherman Murthy Megavan, it sits near the village's best right-hand break. Besides surfing, it has offered paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing.
• Ocean Delight Surf School. Founded around 2015 by local surfer Appu (Manikandan), an ISA-certified coach who teaches visitors, including many from Japan and South Korea.

Kovalam also hosts the Covelong Point surf festival, also known as the Covelong Classic. It combines surf contests with music and yoga and usually runs in August or September. Dates change from year to year, so check before you plan around it.

What a first lesson is like

A beginner session usually starts on the sand. You learn how to lie on the board, paddle, and "pop up" to your feet. Then you move into waist-deep water with the instructor pushing you onto small waves. Most people stand up at least once in their first session. They are also very tired by the end of it. One or two lessons a day is plenty.

What to bring

• Swimwear, and a rash vest or old t-shirt against sun and board rub
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water
• Two towels: one for the beach and one for the pool afterwards. Bruno Villa guests bring their own pool towels and swimwear.
• A dry bag for your phone and keys

Safety

Kovalam is a Blue Flag certified beach and has trained lifeguards on watch. The sea is still the sea. Surf only with an instructor until you can read the conditions yourself, and stay out of the water when the flag or the lifeguards say so.

Make it a surf weekend

The easiest way to fit in two or three sessions is to stay on the beach. Bruno Villa is a private three-bedroom pool villa on Casurina Bay Drive in Kovalam, a short walk from the sand.

• Sleeping: up to 10 guests, and 2 more at an extra charge.
• After a session: cool off in the private pool, eat on the rooftop sea-view terrace, and finish with a BBQ in the lit garden.
• Meals: bring your groceries and our cook will prepare meals for ₹1,000 per meal.
• Timing: check-in is from 2 PM and check-out is by 11 AM. Book an afternoon session on arrival day and an early lesson on your last morning, and you'll be back in time to pack.

Planning a surf trip with friends? Send your dates to Bruno Villa on WhatsApp at +91 88074 18136. We'll check availability and help you plan the weekend.

Sources

• Wikipedia, Covelong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covelong (40 km south of Chennai; surfing village; Murthy Megavan, school founded 2012; Blue Flag)
• Lonely Planet, A guide to surfing in India (2025): https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-surfing-in-india (cove waves for beginners, point breaks; Aug–Mar; Bay of Life founded 2011, first accredited school in Tamil Nadu)
• Lonely Planet, Best day trips from Chennai (2019, updated 2022): https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-day-trips-chennai (June–Sept breaks; Covelong Point school near the right-hand break; festival in Aug/Sept)
• Outlook Traveller, Surfing in Covelong Point (2017): https://site.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/surfing-in-covelong-point/ (Nov–Feb best; beginners avoid Jun–Aug)
• YourStory, Bay of Life surf school (2021): https://yourstory.com/socialstory/2021/04/bay-of-life-surf-school-chennai-sustainability-beaches/amp (Showkath Jamal; free lessons for beach clean-ups)
• The Chennai Emailer, How surfing became a favourite sport for fisherfolks in Kovalam: https://thechennaiemailer.substack.com/p/how-surfing-became-a-favourite-sport (Ocean Delight, Appu, ISA-certified; Covelong Classic since 2013)
• Wikipedia, Surfing in India: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing_in_India (Covelong Point Surf Festival)
• Outlook Traveller, Five years strong: Kovalam beach (Nov 2025): https://www.outlooktraveller.com/News/five-years-strong-kovalam-beach-leads-india-in-clean-sustainable-tourism (Blue Flag; trained lifeguards)