Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach

🚗 Asia’s Longest Drive In Beach near Kannur, Kerala

Imagine driving your car or bike right next to the Arabian Sea, with waves splashing gently on one side and a long curve of golden sand on the other. That is Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach, Kerala’s only drive in beach and one of the longest drive in beaches in Asia, stretching for about 4 km between Kannur and Thalassery on the Malabar Coast.

The sand here is firm and packed, so vehicles can move smoothly, and the beach is lined with black rocks that break the waves and create safe shallow stretches for walking and playing in the water. Nearby, the little green patch of Dharmadam Island sits just off the coast, visible from the beach and reachable on foot during low tide from the Dharmadam side. It makes the whole area feel very special and different from regular beaches.

This guide will help you plan a full holiday style visit to Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach with family or friends.

📍 Where Is Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach

Muzhappilangad Beach lies right along NH 66 (old NH 17) between Kannur and Thalassery in northern Kerala.

📏 Distance from Thalassery about 7 km

📏 Distance from Kannur about 13 to 14 km

🚆 Nearest railway stations Thalassery and Kannur

✈️ Nearest airport Kannur International Airport, around 27 to 30 km away

🛣️ How To Reach Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach

🚘 By Road

From the highway, a small side road passes through coconut groves and opens suddenly onto the long open beach. The approach itself feels very scenic.

• • From Kannur, drive towards Thalassery on NH 66 and watch for “Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach” boards.

  • From Thalassery, drive towards Kannur and take the beach turn before Dharmadam.

🚌 By Bus

• • Frequent KSRTC and private buses run between Kannur and Thalassery on NH 66. Get down at Muzhappilangad or a nearby stop and take an auto to the beach.
  • Kerala Tourism lists Kannur bus terminal at around 14 km and Thalassery bus stand at around 9.6 km from the beach.

💡 Hidden Tip

If you are driving, it is easy to miss the narrow turn towards the beach. Keep Google Maps on, slow down when you are roughly midway between Kannur and Thalassery, and look for a small board plus an interior road through coconut trees.

💳 Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach Entry Fee, Vehicle Charges and Timings

Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach is easy on the pocket and simple to plan.

💰 Entry and Vehicle Fees

🧍 Beach entry on foot – Free

🛵 Two wheeler – ₹10 to ₹20

🚗 Car or four wheeler – ₹40 to ₹60

Note: Rates are managed locally and can vary by season, festival days, and crowd levels.

🕘 Timings

✅ Safe driving hours: roughly sunrise to 6:30 pm

🌙 Night driving: generally not encouraged for safety and may be restricted at times

💡 Hidden tip

Reach by 6:30 to 7:00 am for almost empty sand, soft light, and relaxed photos. In the evening, finish your drive before dark and enjoy the sunset on foot.

📅 Best Time to Visit Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach

You can visit all year, but the feel of the beach changes with the season.

🌤️ Best months November to February

• • Pleasant weather

  • Gentle breeze

  • Ideal for long drives and water activities

🌥️ Shoulder months March, April, early May

• • Hot afternoons

  • Lovely mornings and evenings

  • April often brings the Muzhappilangad Beach Festival with stunts, events, and adventure activities

🌧️ Monsoon June to September

• • Heavy rains and rougher sea

  • Water sports may pause

  • Visibility is low

  • Dramatic clouds if you enjoy moody photography, but not ideal for driving near water

💡 Hidden tip

For that classic “empty beach with my car” shot and good weather, pick a weekday between December and February and go early morning instead of sunset.

🏖️ Things To See And Do At Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach

🚗 The Classic Drive On The Beach

The star attraction is the 4 km drive on firm, hard packed sand. Roll the windows down, play your favorite music, make easy U turns on the open stretch, and stop anywhere for photos. Many road trippers say this drive is the reason they come to Kannur.

Quick safety notes

• • Keep speed slow and steady

  • Maintain a safe gap from the water line, especially at high tide

  • Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns near soft patches

💡 Hidden tip
Worried about rust or water in the exhaust? Stick to the mid section of the beach where the sand is firm but not wet, and skip splashing through deeper water.

🌅 Sunrise And Sunset Views

Because the shoreline curves gently, you get sweeping views with tiny silhouettes of vehicles against the sea. Sunrise brings pastel skies and a light sea mist. Sunset turns the horizon gold and purple, perfect for dramatic silhouettes of people and cars.

What to expect

• • Morning is calm with fishermen and walkers

  • Evening feels lively with families, snack stalls and music

💡 Hidden tip
Walk a few minutes away from the parking cluster. The noise fades quickly and you will find quieter corners for photography and kids to play.

🪨 Black Rocks, Mussels And Birdwatching

Dark rocky outcrops fringe parts of the beach, softening the waves and creating small tide pools. These rocks host blue mussels and attract shore birds through the year.

What you might spot

• • Egrets, sandpipers, terns and other waders

  • Locals collecting mussels in the right season

💡 Hidden tip
Wear grippy sandals on wet rocks since they can be slippery, and keep kids away from the wave facing edge.

🌴 Dharmadam Island Side Trip

At the southern end sits Dharmadam Island, a tiny green isle separated by shallow water. From Dharmadam Beach side, people walk across only at low tide. It is a photogenic detour and adds variety to your beach day.

Good to know

• • The island is dotted with coconut trees and shrubs

  • The water recedes at low tide, making the approach shallow

  • Ocean kayaking is available around Dharmadam Beach with guides

💡 Hidden tip
Attempt the walk only with local guidance and strictly at low tide since water returns fast. A safer plan is to enjoy the island view from the beach and book a kayak for a guided experience.

🛶 Kayaking Dharmadam

Glide along quiet waters with palm views and sea breeze. Dharmadam Beach sits just south of Muzhappilangad and is a friendly base for short ocean or backwater kayak sessions with a guide.

What to expect

⏱️ Duration 45 to 60 minutes

🕒 Best time 6:30 to 9:30 am and 4:00 to 6:00 pm

💵 Typical cost ₹400 to ₹800 per person

🎯 Highlights island views, gentle swells near the shore, birdwatching, great photos at golden hour

Safety and tips

👷 Life jacket is mandatory. Follow your guide’s line and spacing.

🌊 Avoid strong surf days. Ask operators about tide and wind before starting.

📦 Carry a dry bag or zip pouches for phone and keys.

👟 Wear quick dry clothes and footwear with grip.

💡 Hidden tip
If you want calm water for first timers or kids, ask for a backwater route behind Dharmadam first, then finish with a short ocean paddle for photos.

🌊Adventure Activities And Water Sports At Muzhappilangad

Muzhappilangad is not just about driving. Government tourism and airport websites highlight it as a hub for parasailing, paragliding, microlight flights, power boating and catamaran rides, especially around festival times and peak season.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun Activity Spots For Kids and Families

Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach is family friendly if you visit at the right time of day.

Why kids love it

🌊 Long shallow edges where kids can splash under supervision

🏐 Plenty of open space for football, frisbee, kite flying and simple beach play

🎡 Festival vibe on busy days with small amusement rides and extra food stalls near the central stretch

Kid friendly ideas

⏰ Morning sand play while parents enjoy hot tea from local stalls

🐚 Shell collecting and safe puddle jumping near the rock pools

🚗 Short slow drive on the sand while buckled up for that “we drove on the beach” memory

💡 Hidden tip
If you have small children, do not park next to the main driving lane. Park a little to the side and keep one adult watching the kids at all times since cars and bikes move frequently.

🍤 Food Facilities Near Muzhappilangad Beach

You will not find big restaurants on the sand, but there are many local shacks, tea stalls and small eateries along the approach road and nearby.

What you will find

🐟 Seafood stalls with fresh fried fish, squid, prawns and Kerala style fish curry

🍛 Malabar classics like porotta with beef or chicken curry, kappa and meen curry

🥪 Quick snacks such as pazham pori, baji, omelette, chai and lime soda

You will also find a few small cafes near the entry and larger restaurants or resorts within a few kilometers toward Thalassery or Kannur.

💡 Hidden tip
If you need strict hygiene or you are traveling with seniors and kids, plan your main meal in Kannur or Thalassery and use the beach shacks mainly for snacks and tea.

🅿️ Parking, Restrooms and Other Facilities

🅿️ Parking

✅ You can park directly on the sand after paying the vehicle fee.

🚗 During busy hours, the mid section of the beach turns into a long natural parking strip.

🛣️ There are a few informal parking spots near the approach road as well.

⚠️ To avoid getting stuck, choose firm, dry sand and skip soft or slushy patches.

🚻 Restroom Facilities

🧼 Public restrooms are basic and not available across the whole beach.

🍽️ Many visitors use washrooms at nearby cafes or at their resort/homestay.

🧃 Shops and Services

🥤 Small stalls sell tea, water, snacks and sometimes basic beach toys.

💊 Very limited options for medicines or baby supplies, carry essentials with you.

💡 Hidden tip

For consistently clean washrooms, plan a nearby stay in Kannur, Thalassery, or a beach resort, and treat Muzhappilangad as a day outing rather than expecting full scale facilities on the sand.

⚠️ Things To Be Very Careful And Cautious About

Muzhappilangad’s big freedom to drive on the sand is awesome, but it needs mindful behavior.

🚘 Speeding vehicles

Some drivers get overexcited and go too fast or try stunts. Keep your car slow and controlled, and stay alert when walking anywhere near moving vehicles.

👶 Children on the sand

Keep kids on the land side of the driving lane, not near the water line where cars pass. Hold hands when crossing from the parked area to the sea.

🌊 Tides and soft sand

Avoid soft or slushy patches and stay well away from breaking waves. Cars can get stuck and salt water can damage the vehicle.

⛈️ Monsoon and rough sea

During rough conditions, do not go deep into the water. Follow lifeguard instructions if they are present and keep play close to shore.

🌙 Night visits

Visibility drops quickly after sunset. Avoid beach driving at night and do not walk too far from the main lit area if lights are limited.

🏝️ Walking to Dharmadam Island

Attempt only with local advice and strictly at low tide. If the tide starts rising, return immediately.

💡 Hidden tip

If you are new to beach driving, follow a local car at a polite distance, match their line and speed, and skip stunts near water. Slow and steady keeps the trip fun and safe.

🎉 Peak Season Crowd, Atmosphere and Beach Festival

During peak holidays and the April beach festival, Muzhappilangad turns lively and action packed.

What to expect

🚗 Long rows of cars and bikes lined up on the sand

🏍️ Youth doing controlled stunts during official events

🍢 Extra food stalls and quick game setups

🪂 Adventure operators more active with parasailing, paragliding and rides

It feels like a carnival, perfect if you love energy, music, and crowds.

💡 Hidden tip
For photos without too many vehicles but with festival lights and buzz, visit one day before or after the main festival dates. The vibe remains, the crowd reduces.

🗺️Muzhappilangad Nearby Tourist Places

Muzhappilangad fits beautifully in a Kannur – Thalassery – Dharmadam circuit.

🌴 Dharmadam Island and Dharmadam Beach

⛵ Very close and visible from Muzhappilangad

🛶 Ocean kayaking, light nature walks, quiet shore time

⏰ Best morning or late afternoon

🏰 Thalassery Town and Fort

🧱 Historic Thalassery Fort overlooking the sea

🥐 Old town bakeries, Biryani, and classic Malabar snacks

🗓️ Often paired with Muzhappilangad on day trips

🗼 Kannur Lighthouse and Payyambalam Beach

🌅 Classic lighthouse views and a landscaped walkway

🚶 Good for an evening stroll and city side beach vibe

⛰️ Palakkayam Thattu or Hill Viewpoints Near Kannur

🧭 Nice mix of hills plus beach in one itinerary

🌫️ Known for misty hills and a cool breeze

Traveller Reviews about Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach

🌞 The Good

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Pure thrill driving on the sand.” “I have never felt this kind of freedom at a beach. Rolling my car along the 4 km stretch while waves kissed the edge of the track felt unreal and totally safe when I kept to a slow speed.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Sunset scenes worth the trip.” “I reached by 5 pm and the sky went gold to purple in minutes. Parked, stepped out, salty breeze, silhouettes of cars and coconut trees. My camera could not stop.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Great for families if you go early.” “We took our kids at 7 am. The sand was firm and the crowd was thin. They made sand castles while we sipped chai from a stall. Zero hassle morning.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Budget friendly day out.” “No entry fee to walk in and only a small charge to take the car. Snacks, tea, lime soda, and fried fish nearby did not burn a hole in my pocket.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Unique vibe with Dharmadam Island view.” “Loved that little green island you can see from the shore. It makes the whole beach look cinematic. We added a quick kayak session from the Dharmadam side and it was perfect.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Wide open space and easy parking.” “I liked that I could park right on the hard sand and still have a long quiet walk. Even with more cars around, there is room for everyone if you pick a calmer patch.”

🌧️ The Not So Good

⭐️⭐️ “Crowded on weekends and holidays.” “I went on a long weekend and it felt like half of Kerala had the same plan. Too many bikes zipping around. Weekday next time.”

⭐️⭐️ “Some drivers act crazy.” “A few folks were speeding and cutting close to people taking photos. It killed the mood for a bit. Wish there were stricter checks.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Facilities are basic.” “Public washrooms are limited and not the cleanest. We ended up using a nearby cafe’s restroom after buying tea.”

⭐️⭐️ “Salt spray and soft patches.” “If you drift closer to the waves you can hit slush and the car sinks a little. Keep to the mid strip and you are fine. I learned that the sweaty way.”

⭐️ “Food choices on the sand are hit or miss.” “There are small stalls, but hygiene varies. We ate proper lunch in Thalassery and used beach shacks only for snacks.”

⭐️⭐️ “Low tide and high tide matter a lot.” “Came at the wrong time once and the drivable area was narrow. Checking tide timings would have saved me the stress.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Evening traffic at the exit.” “When everyone leaves after sunset, the small access road gets jammed. Add 15 to 20 minutes to your plan.”

⭐️ “Limited lighting after dark.” “Post sunset it gets quite dim. I would not recommend driving on the beach at night. Finish the fun before daylight fades.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Tide temptations near Dharmadam Island.” “I saw people try to walk toward the island without checking conditions. The water can rise fast. I skipped it and booked a kayak instead.”

If you love the idea of a beach day with a twist, Muzhappilangad Drive In Beach delivers it in style. One long ribbon of firm sand, pastel sunrises, fiery sunsets, and that unforgettable feeling of gently rolling your car beside the Arabian Sea. Add a peek at Dharmadam Island, quick snacks from local stalls, and a slow walk on the quieter edges, and you have a holiday that feels simple, unique, and very Kerala.

Pack light, keep your drive slow and respectful, carry back every bit of trash, and give the sea its space. Do that, and Muzhappilangad rewards you with the kind of moments that sit happily in your memory for years.