Quick answer: Muzhappilangad Beach in Kannur district is Kerala’s only drive-in beach: you can drive a car or ride a motorbike along about 4 km of firm sand beside the sea. It lies between Kannur and Thalassery, roughly 8 km from Thalassery, parallel to National Highway 66. There is no entry fee that we could confirm; check locally for any parking or vehicle rules before you drive onto the sand, especially after the beach’s recent redevelopment work.
Muzhappilangad (also spelt Muzhuppilangad) is one of the best-known beaches in north Kerala. It became famous because the sand is hard and compact enough for vehicles to drive along the shoreline without getting stuck, and in 2016 BBC Autos named it among the six best beaches in the world for driving. It is also a quiet place for a walk, a swim on a calm day or a sunset view, and it is close to Dharmadam Island and the heritage town of Thalassery.
Muzhappilangad Beach at a glance
| Location | Muzhappilangad, Kannur district, Kerala; between Kannur and Thalassery, parallel to NH 66 |
|---|---|
| Known for | Kerala’s only drive-in beach |
| Drive-in stretch | About 4 km (Kerala Tourism pages give figures from about 4 to 5 km) |
| Nearest towns | Thalassery, about 7 to 8 km; Kannur, about 15 km |
| Nearest railway station | Edakkad, about 2 km; Thalassery and Kannur for most trains |
| Nearest airport | Kannur International Airport, Mattannur |
| Best time to visit | November to March, when the sea is calmer and water sports operate |
| Entry fee and timings | Not confirmed; check locally |
Driving on Muzhappilangad Beach
The main draw is the drive. The beach is wide, and the sand near the water is firm, so cars and motorbikes can run along the shore with the waves close to the wheels. A narrow road through coconut groves leads down to the sand from the highway, and because the beach is long there are several access points.
Weekdays are usually quiet, and even on busy days you can find stretches without many vehicles or people. A few common-sense rules help:
- Drive slowly and watch for walkers and children. Cars and pedestrians share the same sand, and there may be no one controlling traffic.
- Do not park too close to the water. Waves can soften the sand under a parked vehicle and it may sink. An earlier version of this article also warned that police may fine drivers whose vehicles end up in the water.
- Avoid splashing through the surf or speeding. It is dangerous and damages vehicles.
- Check the current rules. News reports in 2024 described a renovation project at the beach, including a separate walkway for pedestrians, with drive-in access kept for motorists. Rules on vehicle access, parking and fees may have changed since, so ask locally.
Swimming and the black rocks
Black rocks lie scattered along the shore and in the shallows. According to Kerala Tourism, these rocks act as a natural barrier against strong undertows, which makes the water calmer than at many Kerala beaches and suitable for swimming on calm days. Most visitors come to drive rather than swim, so the water is often quiet.
Even so, the sea can be rough during the monsoon (roughly June to September in Kerala), and lifeguard cover is not something we could confirm. Swim only in calm conditions, stay close to the shore, and keep away from areas where vehicles are driving. Watching the local fishing community haul their boats in and out of the water is also part of the beach’s character.
Dharmadam Island
Dharmadam Island is a small, green island of about 5 acres just off Dharmadam Beach, at the southern end of Muzhappilangad. Kerala Tourism puts it about 100 metres from Dharmadam Beach and about 200 metres from Muzhappilangad. At low tide, when the water is shallow, you can wade across from Dharmadam Beach; boats also run from near the Moidu Bridge on the Kannur–Thalassery highway.
Kerala Tourism describes the island as privately owned and says visitors need prior permission to land. If you do wade across, check the tide times first and come back well before high tide.
An earlier version of this article said the government had bought the island from the family that owned it. Kerala Tourism’s current page describes it as privately owned, so that claim has been removed; ask locally about access before you go.
Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Muzhappilangad
The seaside village of Muzhappilangad is also known locally for the Sree Kurumba (Koormba) Bhagavathy temple. An earlier version of this article said its annual festival is held in March with a long thalappoli procession carrying a sacred kalasham. We could not confirm the festival dates on an official source, so check with the temple or locally if you plan to visit during the festival.
Things to do at Muzhappilangad Beach
- Drive or ride along the shore: the experience most people come for, best in the evening light.
- Walk to Dharmadam Island at low tide: with permission and an eye on the tide.
- Water sports: Kerala Tourism lists paragliding, parasailing, microlight flights, power boating and catamaran rides here. Parasailing usually runs from about November to March, and operators set their own prices, so confirm the cost and safety equipment before you book.
- Food: beach shacks serve snacks and Malabar dishes; there are a few spots for ice cream and tea.
- Beach festival: Kerala Tourism mentions an annual beach festival in April; check dates locally.
- Sunset: the beach faces west across the Arabian Sea, so sunsets are a highlight.
How to reach Muzhappilangad Beach
- By road: the beach runs parallel to National Highway 66 between Kannur and Thalassery, about 1 km west of the highway. From Kannur, head south towards Thalassery and take one of the roads towards the sea before the Moidu Bridge area.
- By train: Edakkad station is about 2 km away but few trains stop there. Thalassery and Kannur stations, on the main west-coast line, have many more trains. Take an auto-rickshaw or taxi from either.
- By air: Kannur International Airport at Mattannur, which opened for commercial flights on 9 December 2018, is the nearest airport. It is about 24 km east of Thalassery.
An earlier version of this article named Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport at Karipur as the closest airport. Kannur International Airport, opened in 2018, is now much closer; Calicut remains an alternative for more flight options.
Nearby places
- Thalassery: a historic town about 7 to 8 km away and the closest town with a wide choice of places to eat and stay.
- Kannur: about 15 km away, with more beaches and heritage sites.
- Dharmadam Beach: at the southern end of Muzhappilangad, facing Dharmadam Island.
Planning more beach time? See our guides to Dhanushkodi Beach in Rameswaram, Ganapatipule Beach in Maharashtra and the most famous temples in Kerala.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive on Muzhappilangad Beach?
Yes. It is Kerala’s only drive-in beach, with about 4 km of firm sand that cars and motorbikes can use. Drive slowly, keep away from walkers, and check any current local rules on access and parking.
Is Muzhappilangad the longest drive-in beach in India?
It is widely described as India’s longest drive-in beach, and Kerala Tourism material calls it Asia’s longest. Measurements vary, so treat these as descriptions rather than official records. In 2016 BBC Autos listed it among the world’s six best beaches for driving.
Is Muzhappilangad Beach safe for swimming?
Kerala Tourism says the black rocks along the shore reduce undertows and make it suitable for swimming. Swim only on calm days, avoid the monsoon months, and stay away from areas where vehicles are driving.
Can you walk to Dharmadam Island?
At low tide you can wade across from Dharmadam Beach, but Kerala Tourism says the island is privately owned and visitors need prior permission. Check the tides and come back before the water rises.
Which is the nearest airport to Muzhappilangad Beach?
Kannur International Airport at Mattannur.
Details checked in October 2026 against Kerala Tourism’s pages on Muzhappilangad Beach and Dharmadam Island, airport records and news reports on the beach’s redevelopment. Rules for driving on the beach can change, so check locally before you go.
