Muzhappilangad Beach

Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach
Beach
	Muzhappilangad Beach
	Muzhappilangad Beach Muzhappilangad Beach
	Coordinates: 11°47′46.3596″N 75°26′31.308″E / 11.796211000°N 75.44203000°E
Location	Muzhappilangad, Tellichery, India
Dimensions
• Length	3.8 km
Patrolled by	Lifeguards
Hazard rating	Low

Muzhappilangad Beach near Thalassery (formerly Tellicherry) is a drive-in beach in the Kannur district of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast of India. It stretches across 4 kilometers in length.^[1] In 2016, it was featured among the six "best beaches for driving in the world" in an article published by BBC - Autos.^[2]^[3] This beach is currently under major renovation.[1]

Overview

The Muzhapilangad beach is located parallel to National Highway 66 (formerly National Highway 17) between Kannur and Thalassery.^[4] There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. To get to this road, if you are driving from Thalassery towards Kannur, take the left turn just before the railway over bridge (the first railway crossing) which you will encounter after crossing the Moidu bridge. For those travelling from Kannur towards Thalassery, the entrance to this road will be available on the right side from Edakkad town. The beach is about 3.8 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 3.4 km directly on the sands of the beach. The beach is bordered by black rocks, which also protect it from the strong 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.

There is a private island called Dharmadam Island (Pacha Thuruthu in Malayalam, which translates as 'Green Island' in English), approximately 100–200 m south of the beach . It is possible to walk to the island during low tide from the nearby Dharmadam beach.

Tourism

Since the late 1990s, the beach has seen a steady influx of European and other foreign tourists during winter. A major share of foreign and domestic tourists are not aware of the potentials of this elusive destination. It is a must see destination for Indians as well as for foreign tourists. After the ongoing facelift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors including in resorts, roads, etc. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.

Birdwatching hotspot

Despite being a tourist destination, the beach is a birdwatching hotspot too.^[5] 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.^[6] Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the side of the beach provide a safe place for migration of birds.

Species

Source:^[7]

Accessibility

Nearest airports:

Kannur International Airport: 27 km (17 mi)
Karipur International Airport: 106 km (66 mi)

Nearest towns/railway stations:

Edakkad Railway Station: 2 km (1.2 mi)
Thalassery: 7 km (4.3 mi)
Kannur: 15 km (9.3 mi)
Mangalore railway station: 151 km (94 mi)

By road:

On National Highway 66 the beach is situated between Kannur town and Thalassery town. There are five village connection roads from the National Highway towards the beach.