Used as a port in Kerala, Valliathura was the meeting point of heavy ships who transported textiles, spices and other goods. Later it emerged as a popular fishing and tourist destination. Located 10 km from Kovalam, the place is highly frequented during monsoon.

Background
The pier (ghat) was made with 571 tonnes of cement & 250 tonnes of steel, and it was supported by 127 concrete piles. The total cost came to about Rs. 10 lakhs. Initially, the pier had four 3-tonne cranes and one 10-tonner to unload cargo from the ships.

Later, as the Kochi port was developed with facilities for berthing of huge cargo ships, the Valliathura pier lost its significance. It was declared a 'dead port' in the early eighties. All the cranes were dismantled and sold as scrap metal. The four godowns were rented out to industrial units of the region.

Recently, the 'Valliathura Vikasana Samithy' has asked the Government to protect the pier which is in danger of collapsing. People are planning to convert the pier into a fish-landing centre cum tourist spot.

Monsoon is the time when local fishermen are unable to launch their boats from the beach. Therefore, they carry their catamaran to the end of the pier and throw them in the water. Then they jump in the sea water and swim to reach their catamaran.

Valliathura Pier serves as a vintage point to see the long coastline upto Kovalam in the south and upto Shanmugham beach in the north.