Kappad

                                  Kappad, or Kappakadavu locally, is famous as the beach near Kozhikode (Calicut), India, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on May 20, 1498. His voyage established the searoute from Europe to India. This heralded the arrival and permanent route from Europe to India. This heralded the arrival and permanent presence of various European merchant companies, leading to eventual domination and rule by the East India Company and later the period of British colonial rule.

 The beach, that is popular with tourists, is quiet except for a few hours in the morning, when the fishermen launch their boats at dawn, and in the evening when they return with their catch. Sometimes, you can see them spreading fish on the beach to dry them. 

Other interesting sights here include a rocky headland stretching into the sea and a 100-year-old temple.




Getting There:

 
               The easiest way to reach Kappad beach is by bus from Kozhikode. The bus stand for buses to Kappad is on Mavoor Road. Auto-rickshaws / taxis will also do the journey, it is a 16km trip so tuk tuks sould theoretically charge around R.200. Taxis will charge a little more.
Kozhikode is well connected to other Indian towns by road and rail, and also has an airport (Calicut International Airport [CCJ]) which is 26 km from the train station in town. Domestic flights fly frequently to and from Mumbai.

Nearby tourist areas:
 
            The Korappuzha estuary, at Elathur on the way to Kappad, is a little known tourist area. An interesting sight along the river bank is that of village artisans crafting canoes. The area around the nearby Elathur Bridge, which runs across the river, is a centre of shellfish (kallummakkaya) trade. The sheer abundance of shellfish found on the rocks protruding into the sea is amazing.