Twenty-six km by road from Ernakulam, Cherai Beach is an excellent place that has plenty of sun, sand and water. It has only recently come into the limelight. Cherai is a village on Vypeen Island which is part of Ernakulam district. A narrow island strip stretching some 40 km, Vypeen has backwaters to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. Cherai is accessible both by road and waterway. With the construction of three bridges the distance by road to Vypeen is considerably reduced.

Caressed by both the sea and the backwaters Cherai presents a unique environment. Cherai beach that lines the village of Cherai along the Arabian Sea extends 8 km. Not exposed to much tourist influx till recently, Cherai is less commercialised than Kovalam or Varkala. The development is chiefly concentrated near the 400-metre walkway. There are a number of hotels and shops here and the beach has a tranquil atmosphere. The golden sands and the shallow waters make it safe for swimmers. Dolphins can be spotted here occasionally. Land inward is all pastoral with paddy fields and coconut palms. The road leading to Cherai runs some way along the backwaters offering view of rows of Chinese nets.