Muzhappilangad Beach

Overview

The Muzhapilangad beach is located parallel to National Highway 66 (formerly National Highway 17) between Kannur and Thalassery. There is an unpaved road winding through coconut groves leading to the beach. 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 mussels. The 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, 'Green Island'), 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. After the facelift of the beach there has been a huge improvement in the facilities available to the beach visitors. The beach is wide and the sand is firm enough to support smooth driving.

Birdwatching hotspot

More than thirty species of migratory birds visit the beach in the winter. Among them were the pectoral sandpiper and Caspian plover, sighted in 2013, which were reported for the first time in Kerala. Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the side of the beach provide a safe place for migrating birds.

Species

Source:

• Asian openbill
• Black kite
• Black-winged stilt
• Brahminy kite
• Common greenshank
• Common redshank
• Egret
• Eurasian curlew
• Eurasian oystercatcher
• Eurasian whimbrel
• Gull
• Little stint
• Plover
• Ruddy turnstone
• Ruff
• Sanderling
• Sandpiper
• Tern
• White bellied sea eagle

Accessibility

Nearest airports:

• Kannur International Airport: 27 km
• Karipur International Airport: 106 km

Nearest towns/railway stations:

• Edakkad Railway Station: 2 km
• Thalassery: 7 km
• Kannur: 15 km
• Mangalore railway station: 151 km

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.

Image gallery

File:Muzhapilangad beach.JPG|Beach festival File:Muzhappilangad Beach 2.jpg|Sunset at Muzhappilangad Beach File:Muzhappilangad Beach13.jpg|Para gliding at Muzhappilangad Beach File:Muzhappilangad beach6.jpg|Muzhappilangad beach File:Muzhapilangad-Beach.jpg|Beach File:മുഴപ്പിലങ്ങാട് കടപ്പുറത്തെ ബൈക്ക് സഞ്ചാരികൾ.JPG|Muzhappilangad drive-in beach File:മുഴപ്പിലങ്ങാട് ഡ്രൈവിംഗ് ബീച്ച്.jpg|Muzhappilangad drive-in beach File:Dharmadam Thuruth (Island).jpg|Nearby Dharmadam Island File:Muzhappilangad beach (12).JPG|Behind the beach File:Rocks t Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg|Rock formation at the north of the beach File:Rocks at Muzhappilangad beach.jpg|Rock formation at the north of the beach File:Muzhappilangad beach(Edited).jpg File:Muzhappilangad Beach020.jpg File:Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach.jpg File:Fisherman at Muzhappilangad Beach.jpg

References

References

1. (2012-11-12). "Neglect ruins Muzhappilangad beach". [[The Times of India]].
2. Gibson, David K. "The best beaches for driving".
3. (24 June 2016). "Muzhappilangad wins BBC favour".
4. (23 August 2024). "Kerala's Muzhapilangad beach to be renovated as New Year gift, says Tourism Minister Riyas". The Hindu.
5. "Muzhappilangad Beach - Kerala's only drive in beach at Kannur".
6. (24 September 2013). "Rare migratory birds spotted during survey". The Hindu.
7. ''Birds of Kerala: Status and Distribution''; {{ISBN. 978-81-264-2921-9; DC Books, Kerala, 2001