Kappad Beach, Payyoli, Kerala India

 Kappad Beach is one of the most historical places of significance. Kappad Beach is very famous because of the fact that the great world explorer Vasco Da Gama first set foot on the Kappad Beach on his world famous journey. 

Kappad, or Kappakadavu locally, is a famous beach near Kozhikode (Calicut), India, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed on May 20, 1498. His voyage established the sea route from the 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.Kappad Beach, a clean beach with safe waters, is located about 16 km from Kozhikode town.

A plaque set on a pillar says that it was here that the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed on May 27, 1498, when on his first visit to Kerala. However, many historians believe that though he had anchored his ship here, he landed at the nearby port, Pandalayani Kollam.

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.