Kovalam is one of the famous beaches of India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives this beach a ravishing look. This beach is a paradise for the tourists as it is associated with the boundless blue waters of the Arabian sea. Tourists can enjoy the miles of white sand which is washed away by the surf touching the feet of the stalwart palms and also the rocky promontories. The larger of the beaches is called Light House Beach for its 35 metre high light house which towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. The second largest one is Hawah Beach named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now except in private coves owned by resorts.