Kappad Beach

Kappad Beach, Kerala Beaches Travel

Location: About 16 km from Kozhikode town. For the people of Kozhikode, this pleasant stretch of rock studded beach is Kappakkadavu.

To the tourist it is one of the most charming of Kerala's beaches. Kappad finds mention in history and geography texts as the gateway to the Malabar coast.

Here, 501 years ago, 170 men led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) sailed in and stepped into Kerala to create a new chapter in history. The story of a long and tumultuous socio-political relationship between India and Europe.

It was the spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the Phoenicans, the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to Kerala.

Kappad has witnessed many such landings. Kozhikode was then the most important trade centre of the Malabar region and the Zamorins who ruled this mighty land were powerful and shrewd.

Though the Portuguese were welcomed in Kozhikode they were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the Zamorins, which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam down south.

Kappad Beach, Kerala Beaches TourToday only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great historic importance. On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old.

To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters.

Unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offers a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha river brings you to the beach.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 16 km.

Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 23 km from Kozhikode town.

Dharmadam Island

Dharmadam Island, Kerala Beaches in India

Location: 17 Kms From Kannur, Kerala

Famous as: A Picnic Spot

Situated: 100 meters from Dharmadam Mainland

Total Area of Island: 5 acres

Dharmadam Island is a beautiful beach, located 17 kms from Kannur. The small 5-acre island covered with coconut palms and green bushes is a beautiful sight from the beach.

Permission is required to enter this privately owned island. It is 100 metres away from the mainland at Dharmadam.

Cherai Beach - Kerala

Location : Near Vypeen Island accessible by boat (30 minutes journey) from Ernakulam

The lovely beach bordering the Vypeen island is ideal for swimming.

The sea on the western side and the backwaters on the east give this upcoming tourist destination, a uniqueness which can be found only in Kerala.

Thick coconut groves and chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

Getting there :

Nearest railway station : Ernakulam Junction, about one km from the main boat jetty.

Nearest airport : Kochi International Airport, about 20 km from Ernakulam town.

Beypore Beach - Kerala Beaches

Location: 10 Kms South Of Kozhikode, Kerala
Formerly Famous for: Ship Building Industry
Important Feature: Bridge Built Of Stone
Located at the Mouth of : Chaliyar River

Located at the mouth of the Chaliyar River in Kozhikode district, Beypore, one of the prominent ports and fishing harbours of ancient Kerala was an important trade and maritime centre.

Ancient Beypore was much sought after by merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry. The boat building yard here is famous for the construction of the Uru, the traditional Arabian trading vessel.

The Beypore Beach has a bridge built nearly 2 kms into the sea. It is actually made up of huge stones piled together for nearly 2 kms making a pathway into the sea.

It was the spices and wealth of Malabar that first brought the Arabs, the Phoenicans, the Greeks, the Romans, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to Kerala.

Kappad has witnessed many such landings. Kozhikode was then the most important trade centre of the Malabar region and the Zamorins who ruled this mighty land were powerful and shrewd.

Beypore Beach, Kerala Beaches Travel VacationThough the Portuguese were welcomed in Kozhikode they were not too well encouraged or entertained for long by the Zamorins, which might be the reason they shifted their base to Kochi and Kollam down south.

Today only a little stone monument is left at the Kappad beach to speak of its great historic importance. On the rocks nearby is a temple believed to be 800 years old.

To the tourist, however, this little sea faring town is a haven. The best route to Kappad is along the backwaters.

Unspoilt and uncrowded, the picturesque backwaters of Kozhikode offers a bewitching experience. A ride down the backwaters through the Korappuzha river brings you to the beach.

Bekal Fort Beach - Kerala Beaches

Location: About a kilometre from Bekal Fort, about 16 km south of Kasaragod on the national highway, Kasaragod district, north Kerala.

Bekal Fort Beach TourKasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala is renowned as the land of gods, forts, rivers, hills and beautiful beaches. The imposing circular fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala.

The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location by the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).

Beautification: Beautification of the site includes installation of two sculptures of Theyyam created using laterite at the beach and a shed with walls adorning murals created by artisans from Nilambur.

Apart from these a rock garden at the parking area has been developed where laterite boulders of various size has been utilised. Under the social forestry scheme planting trees has been done in the beach area.

Parking facilities: BRDC has developed about 7000 sq. m land for parking different types of vehicles.

Walk way: A beautiful walk way for the visiting tourists to explore the beauty of the fine coastal line and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bekal Fort.

Illuminating the beach: The beach has been illuminated during the evening hours so that tourists can more spend time at the beach even after the sun set.

Bekal Fort Beach, Kerala Beaches TourResting facilities: Multi shed and Eru madam would provide the tourist enough facility to take rest and enjoy the sea breeze. By using locally available materials seating arrangements has been provided for the tourists at the beach.

Toilets: Toilets have been provided for the use of tourists and eco-friendly bamboo waste bins has been provided in the entire beach site for keeping the site clean.

Childrens park: A park has been developed here for children below 14 years.

In order to maintain the developed site a nominal charge of rupee one from each visitor would be collected as entry fees and a similar nominal vehicle parking fees would be collected.

BRDC also aims to develop in future another 11 acres of land at the beach for constructing water park, theme park etc.

BRDC was set up by the Government of Kerala to develop Bekal as a planned eco-friendly destination. BRDC has utilised 19 acres of land for the development of the Bekal Fort Beach at a cost of approximately Rs. 25 million including land acquisition charges.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station: Kasaragod, on the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route.

Nearest airport: Mangalore about 50 km from Kasaragod town; Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode, about 200 km from Kasaragod town.

Alappuzha Beach - Kerala Beaches

Location: Alappuzha beach, near Alappuzha town, south Kerala.

Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot.

The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach.

There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.

Facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park: Boating, a children's park with toy train and bicycles.

Timings: Open from 1500 - 2000 hours. Entrance fee: Rs. 2 per person; Free entrance for children below 5 years.

Boating charge: Rs. 10 for ten minutes. Video permit: Rs. 25; Camera permit: Rs. 5.

Getting there:

Nearest railway station : Alappuzha, about 5 km from the beach.

Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.