A Visit to Muzhappilangad Beach - Asia's Longest Drive-In Beach

The 5.5 kilometres long Muzhappilangad beach in the South Indian state of Kerala is the longest drive-in beach in Asia. The beach lies parallel to the National Highway 66 (formerly NH 17) in between the towns Thalassery and Kannur and is included in the list of top six best drive-in beaches in the world on a BBC Autos article. Moreover, among the beaches in Kerala, Muzhappilangad is the only drive-in beach. If you are planning an outing with your friends, just rent a car in Kannur and enjoy this beautiful beach and its nearby places. 

The winding unpaved roads through coconut groves takes you to the beach which curves across a wide area, providing a clear view of Kannur. Local laws allow you to drive along for four kilometres on beach sands. Black rocks that border the beach protect it from stronger ocean currents and provide a habitat for the delicious seafood Blue mussel. Hundreds of birds come to the beach during different seasons and attract bird-watchers from even far off places.

A private island, Dharmadam, (In local language it is called Pacha Thuruthu, meaning Green Island) lies approximately 100 to 200 metres to the south of the Muzhappilangad beach. You can walk to this island during low tides from the nearby beach Dharmadam.

Tourist Importance of Muzhappilangad Beach

Muzhappilangad is the only drive-in beach in Kerala and the longest in Asia. This is what makes it a place of tourist importance. Along the drive, you get to taste delicious and authentic Malabar cuisine from the shacks that are there along the drive. Another aspect that adds to the importance of the beach is the black rocks that protect the beach from strong currents and make it a swimmer's paradise. You can soak yourself in the clean waters and relax on the well-maintained beach. Availability of opportunities for partaking in adventure sports such as paragliding, microlight flights, parasailing, water sports, simple catamaran ride, and powerboating also make it a top tourist destination.

Further, the scope for bird watching and the beach festival celebrated during April attract tourists in large numbers to the beach. The local youth perform many stunts in cars such as drifting and bike wheeling in this paradise for shore driving.

Bird Watching Hotspot

In addition to being a tourist destination, Muzhappilangad beach is one of the top bird-watching hotspots in Kerala. During winter, more than thirty different species of migratory birds come to the beach unlike other beaches in Kerala. Caspian plover and Pectoral sandpiper were sighted for the first time in Kerala in 2013 at Muzhappilangad beach. Long and broad shore and rock formations on the beach make it a safe place for migratory birds. The species of birds that visit Muzhappilangad beach include Egrets, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, and White-bellied sea eagle are only a few to mention.

Things To Do in Muzhappilangad beach

It is really adventurous to drive on the sandy beach. Also, many people just come here to try out new things. Here is a list of exciting things to do in the Muzhappilangad beach. 

Driving on the Sandy Beach

You will love the 4-kilometre drive along the sandy beach as the waves lash the shores that run parallel to the National Highway that connects Kanyakumari and Panvel. You should not miss out on this adventure drive when visiting the beach. The beauty and serenity will stay in your mind for a very long time.

Walking to the private Island

The hidden Dharmadam Island lies very close to the Muzappilangad beach. You can walk to the island during low tides. A visit to this island gives you a unique experience.

Sailing, Gliding, and Flying

Sailing, gliding, and flying are some of the other adventure activities you can involve in at Muzhappilangad beach. You can do paragliding, parasailing, and ride powerboats and catamarans. If you like adventure sports, you would definitely enjoy the rides.

Enjoy local cuisine

This Kerala drive-in beach is not only for adventure junkies but also for foodies. They can also have a great time here. It is the best place when it comes to savouring yummy local preparations. The drive-in beach is considered to be one of the top places for enjoying Malabar Cuisine.

Swim to your heart’s content

As the water currents are weak, swimming at Muzhappilangad gives you a totally different experience. The black rocks around the beach prevent high tides from flooding the banks. 

Muzhappilangad Nearby Attractions!

Thalassery and Kannur towns are just 12 kilometres and 14 kilometres away from the beach and you can also visit Muzhappilangad Bhagavathy Temple which is very close to this place.

How To Reach Muzhappilangad

There are two airports close to Muzhappilangad beach. Both are international airports. While the Kozhikode International Airport is about 100 kilometres away, Kannur International Airport is just about 26 kilometres away from the beach. You can plan your travel depending on flight availability to either of the airports.

The towns near the drive-in beach are also well connected by railway services. There are railway stations in Thalassery and Kannur. And, these stations are linked to Calicut (Kozhikode) railway station as well. The nearest railway station is Edakkad which is one kilometre away from the beach. Major trains may not stop at this station. Typically, only passenger trains stop here.

If you are travelling by road, you have to access NH 66 as the beach lies between Kannur and Thalassery towns. To get to the beach, you can use one of the five village connection roads.

Best Time To Visit Muzhappilangad

The best time for you to visit the Kerala drive-in beach is from October to May. During these months, the beach experiences winter and summer seasons, showcasing its allurement and charm. The region experiences heavy showers during the monsoon season and it is, therefore, best that you avoid visiting Muzhappilangad beach during this period.

Also read, Best Five Spots to Vist in Kerala During Summer Season

IndusGo Self-Drive Car Rentals

When visiting Kerala, it is a good idea to consider availing the self-drive rental car in Kerala offered by IndusGo. The most trusted rental car service is promoted by India’s top Maruti car dealership Indus Motors. You can visit places on your terms and at your convenience. In addition to offering a unique opportunity, the company makes available a wide variety of vehicles at extremely competitive rates.