Muzhappilangad Drive in Beach
Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach holds the title of being the longest Drive In Beach in Asia. It has been recognized as one of the top 6 best beaches for driving in the world, according to a BBC article on Autos. Remarkably, Muzhappilangad is the only Asian beach to make it to this list. Despite Goa’s many beautiful beaches, it doesn’t have a Drive-In beach, making Muzhappilangad even more unique.
The beach festival is celebrated in the month of April and it is one of the important tourist attraction in the district of Kannur in Kerala. The youth also try many driving stunts in cars like drifting and wheeling in bikes as this is a paradise for driving along the shore. There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. To get to this road, if you are driving from Tellicherry towards Kannur, take the left turn just before the first railway crossing you encounter after crossing the Moidu bridge. The beach is about 5 km long and curves in a wide area providing a good view of Kannur on the north. Local laws allow beachgoers to drive for a full 4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the stronger currents of the ocean. These rocks provide habitat for Blue mussel, a delicious seafood.
Beach attracts bird-watchers from far off places as hundreds of birds flock here during various seasons. Approximately 100–200 m south of the beach there is a private island called Dharmadam Island (Pacha Thuruthu in Malayalam, which translates to Green Island in English). It is possible to walk to the island during low tide from the nearby Dharmadam beach.
Since the late 90’s, the beach has seen a steady influx of European tourists during winter. A major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potential of this elusive destination. It is a must see destination for Indians as well as foreign tourists. After the face lift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors including resorts, roads, etc. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.
Despite a tourist destination the beach is a bird watching hotspot too. More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in the winter. Among them Pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover, sighted here in 2013 were reported for the first time in Kerala. Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the either side of the beach provide a safe place for migration. Crowned with the title of the longest Drive-In Beach in Asia, Muzhappilangad has been featured among the top 6 best beaches in the world for the same by BBC. Although many places including that of Indian coastal state Goa are celebrated for their exciting beaches, they lack a Drive in Beach.
The major attraction of the beach is the beach festival celebrated annually in the month of April. Bird watchers heads here from far off places to see and learn about the variety bird folks that decors the shore during season. More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in winter which even paved way for the first time incidence of birds like Pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover in Kerala. Long, broad shore and black rocks bordering the beach provide a safe place for migration. The black rocks are further a shield for the sand deposits against the strong oceanic currents and also a habitat for blue mussel, a famous coastal delicacy.
5 km long beach bends a wide area providing the wholesome view of Kannur district on North. While driving from Tellichery to Kannur, a left turn before the first railway crossing that comes your way after Moidu bridge takes you to an unpaved road with coconut groves on the either sides leading to the beach.
The local laws permit the beachgoers to drive 4 kilometres through the beach. Further it is a test ground for many youngsters who wish to try their driving skills. The firm sand beds provide a safe driving plane.
Approximately 100–200 m south of the beach there is a private island called Dharmadam Island (PachaThuruthu in Malayalam, which translates to Green Island in English). One can walk to the island from the nearby Dharmadam beach at the time of low tide. Since late 90’s, a good number of European tourists visits the beach every year in winter. However, the potential of this elusive destination remains untouched.
Nearest railway station: Kannur (Main Station), about 16 km; Thalassery, about 12 km
Nearest airport: Kannur International Airport, about 25 km | Calicut International Airport, about 102 km.
Check Muzhappilangad Beach at Google Map
