If you are looking for a pristine and breathtakingly beautiful beach for your next holiday with your loved ones, Chaliyam Beach can be the perfect destination. Since it is a comparatively lesser-known beach in Kerala, it is none less than a hidden jewel. Located in the Kozhikode district of Kerala, Chaiyam Beach is near the Chaliyam River meeting point and the Arabian Sea. It is a picturesque beach that beckons visitors for its serene atmosphere, golden coastline and endless views of the sea and the horizon. Not many people know about the beach; hence, it promises a memorable beach holiday far from the maddening crowd.
Top Reasons To Visit Chaliyam
Chaliyam is the beauty of the Malabar Coast of Kerala, ‘God’s Own Country’, which will win your heart and fill your eyes with its natural beauty. Visit Chaliyam Beach to experience a beach holiday like never before, enjoying its splendour, water activities, and some time off from your busy work schedule. Here are some of the top reasons we have jotted down for you to visit this Beach.
1. Unexplored Natural Beauty
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Chaliyam Beach offers stunning views of the coastal scenery. It is a clean beach with sparkling golden sands, lush greenery, and turquoise blue waters that create a charming backdrop for a relaxing beach holiday. You will notice that this beach is unlike other crowded beaches in Kerala. There is a long bridge towards the sea from where you can easily see the dolphins during the morning hours.
The nearby Chaliyam Fort, located near the Chaliyam River, is also a great site to understand the historical importance this area had in the past. The Portuguese built the Chaliyam Fort in 1530. It was constructed at the confluence of the Beypore River with the sea. The Chaliyam area was important for the Portuguese because of its strategic location, being quite near Kozhikode.
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2. Birdwatching And Safari Tours
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Chaliyam Beach, the Chaliyam River estuary, and the surrounding Mangrove forests make for a perfect home condition for the birds. On a birdwatching or safari tour, you will be able to see a variety of bird species and animals living in their habitat. This makes the beach preferred for bird watchers and nature photography lovers. You can also choose to stay in one of the resorts near the beach, offering guided birdwatching tours during the morning and evening hours.
You can go for a long walk along the nature trail there. Even in off-season, you can see many birds. The season for birdwatching and wild safari is from September to December. December is the peak season here due to its pleasant all-day weather.
3. Local cuisine
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For food lovers, Chaliyam Beach and the nearby Kozhikode cafes offer a delectable treat. Try Erachi Pathiri (rice bread prepared with choicest meat fillings), Erachi (Meat curry), Kuzhi Mandhi (a biryani with large chunks of prawns, chicken, mutton, and fish), Kerala Pav bhaji (a spicy vegetable gravy with chicken and Aradik, a sweet dish made with chunks of whole wheat bread, dates and drizzled with honey. One of the speciality dishes of Kozhikode is Sadya, a traditional vegetarian meal consisting of several dishes.
Many eateries on the beach offer traditional Kerala cuisine, offering an authentic taste of Kerala’s culinary pleasures. You can choose to have your meal at the seaside eateries with open-air seating and affordable pricing or in a fine-dining restaurant in an elegant setting at premium rates.
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Attractions Around The Beach
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Located at a distance of just 5 km is Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, a paradise for birdwatchers. In the sanctuary, during winter, you can spot migratory birds, such as sandpipers, terns, and seagulls. Beypore Beach is nearby and just in parallel to the beach. Kappad Beach is about 40 kilometres from Chaliyam Beach and may become a half-day trip for you.
If you want to take a break from beach life, head to Mavoor Road, the shopper’s retreat, famous for being a busy market offering branded stories, bank ATMs, handicraft stores, and eateries with a slice of local culture. About 12 kilometres west of Mavoor Road is the Pazhassiraja Museum in Kozhikode, managed by the State Archaeology Department.
How To Reach 
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By Flight:
The nearest airport to Chaliyam Beach is Kozhikode International Airport via Olipram Kadavu Road /Thenhipalam—Olipram Kadavu Road, which is about 25 kilometres away. You can easily get a taxi to reach the beach.
By Train:
Kozhikode Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Chaliyam Beach. It is well-connected to other cities in Kerala and the rest of India. The station is about 16 kilometers away and is easily accessible via Calicut Rd/Palakkad—Kozhikode Hwy.
By Road:
Chaliyam Beach can be reached by road from the nearby cities. From the beach, Kozhikode is about 18 kilometres away via Calicut Rd/Palakkad – Kozhikode Highway.
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Best Time To Visit
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If you are looking for the best time to visit Chaliyam Beach and do not have any other preoccupation, then the winter months, from November to February, are the best. Since it is a dry season with pleasant and cooler temperatures, the season is ideal for exploring outdoors and beach activities. Winter season is considered the peak tourist season for the Beach. Winter season is also ideal for birdwatching, as it is during this time that several migratory birds come flocking to the beach’s shores.
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Chaliyam Beach, running along Kerala’s Malabar Coast, offers its visitors a tranquil and picturesque retreat with abundant natural beauty and regional cultural attractions. The beach is the best choice for a holiday in the lap of nature, to forget the stress of life for a while. Book your trip to Kerala today.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chaliyam Beach
Where is Chaliyam Fort?
Chaliyam Fort was built by the Portuguese near Chaliyam Beach, at the mouth of the Beypore River. The fort had a strategic location since it was located quite near the city of Calicut.
Where is Calicut beach?
Calicut or Kozhikode, as it is called these days, is on the Malabar coast of Kerala, in the city of Kozhikode.
What are the coastal places in Kerala?
Kerala is a coastal state located in the south of India, sharing its borders with Karnakata and Tamil Nadu. The Malabar Coast of Kerala is home to several gorgeous panoramic beaches. Some of Chaliyam Beach the popular beach destinations of Kerala are Kovalam, Varkala, Hosdurg, Pulimoot, Ajithala and more.
Why is Chaliyam Beach famous?
Chaliyam Beach is famous because it is located near the Chaliyam River’s confluence with the Arabian Sea. It is located near Kozhikode and hence the tourists visiting Kozhikode also take a half-day trip to Chaliyam Beach to enjoy its natural beauty and visit the Chaliyam Fort nearby.
Is Chaliyam Beach worth visiting?
Chaliyam Beach is one of the beautiful beaches of Kerala, which is fondly called ‘God’s Own Country’. The mangrove forests add a scenic backdrop to the uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea, making it a scenic location for a beach holiday.
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