Muzhappilangad Beach
Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach is located in Kerala
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach is located in India
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach
Coordinates: 11°47′46.3596″N 75°26′31.308″E / 11.796211000°N 75.44203000°E / 11.796211000; 75.44203000
LocationMuzhappilangad, Kannur, India
Dimensions
 • Length3.8 km
Patrolled byLifeguards
Hazard ratingLow

Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach (3.8 km length)[1] is a beach on the Malabar Coast in the district of Kannur in the state of Kerala in southwestern India. It is considered as the longest drive-in beach in Asia[2] and is featured among the top 6 best beaches for driving in the world in BBC article for Autos.[3][4]

Overview

The Muzhapiilangad beach is located parallel to National Highway 66 (formerly National Highway 17) between Kannur and Thalassery.[5] 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 railway over bridge (first railway crossing) you encounter after crossing the Moidu bridge. 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 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.

Tourism

Since the late 1990s, 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.

Bird watching hotspot

Whimbrel at Muzhappilangad Beach
Lesser crested terns
Ruddy turnstone

Despite a tourist destination the beach is a bird watching hotspot too.[6] 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.[7] Long, broad shore and rocky formations on the either side of the beach provide a safe place for migration.

Species

Source:[8]

Accessibility

Nearest airports:

Nearest towns/railway stations:

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The author has posted comments on this article (12 November 2012). "Neglect ruins Muzhappilangad beach". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2016. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  2. ↑ "No.1 Driving beach in Asia,,,,,,,, - Reviews, Photos - Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach".
  3. ↑ Gibson, David K. "The best beaches for driving". Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Muzhappilangad wins BBC favour". deccanchronicle.com. 24 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Muzhappilangad Beach - Kerala's only drive in beach at Kannur".
  6. ↑ "Muzhappilangad: Exploring Kerala's only drive-in beach". manoramaonline.com.
  7. ↑ "Rare migratory birds spotted during survey". The Hindu. 24 September 2013 – via www.thehindu.com.
  8. ↑ Birds of Kerala: Status and Distribution; ISBN 978-81-264-2921-9; DC Books, Kerala, 2001
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