Cherai (Malayalam: ചെറായി) smallest town located in north side of Vypin island. This town connects to kochin, North pravur and Kodungallur. It is a region in Kochi Taluk, a suburb of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is at a distance of about 22.6km from the High Court Junction, Kochi. Cherai has the longest beach in Kochi – the Cherai beach. The beach is located towards the centre-north of the Vypin island.

The Cherai Beach is 10 km long.^{[citation needed]} Dolphins are occasionally seen here.

Cherai has played an important role in the history of modern Kerala by becoming the birthplace of two prominent political personsages of modern Kerala – Mathai Manjooran and Sahodaran Ayyappan.

Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple is one of the main Hindu temple. The temple is maintained by Vijnana Vardhini Sabha (V. V Sabha). It also known as Kerala palani. The festival in the temple is the biggest festival in Eranakulam district. The festival happens every year towards the last 2 weeks of January or first 2 weeks of February. The main attractions are Elephant march(around 20-30 elephants).

There is one more famous temple in Cherai, which is Azheekkal Sree Varaha Temple famous for its beautiful chariot.It is one of the oldest temple owned by Gowda Saraswatha Community.