Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach holds the title of being the longest Drive-in Beach in Asia. A BBC Autos article listed Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach among the world’s top six beaches for driving. Notably, 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 hosts its annual beach festival every April. and it is one of the important tourist attractions 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. Drive from Tellicherry towards Kannur. Take the left turn before the first railway crossing after crossing Moidu Bridge. This road leads to the beach.

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. Black rocks border the beach and protect it from strong ocean currents, which also protect it from the stronger currents of the ocean. These rocks provide home 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.

Tourism & Birdwatching

Since the late 1990s, the beach has seen a steady increase of European tourists during the winter season. A major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potential of this hidden destination. It is a must-see destination for Indians as well as foreign tourists. The beach has improved significantly after its facelift. Visitors now enjoy better roads, resorts, and other facilities. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.

Despite a tourist destination the beach is a birdwatching hotspot too. More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in the winter. Birdwatchers recorded the Pectoral Sandpiper and Caspian Plover here for the first time in Kerala in 2013.. 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.

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach Activities

The major attraction of the beach is the beach festival celebrated annually in the month of April. Bird watchers head here from far off places to see and learn about the variety bird folks that decorates the shore during season. More than thirty species of migratory birds visit here in winter which even paved way for the first time sighting 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 panoramic view 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 (Pacha Thuruthu 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 the late 1990s, a good number of European tourists visit 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 Drive-in Beach at Google Map