Bekal Beach Festival Watersports

About this event

Bekal International Beach Festival is a major coastal celebration in Kasaragod that combines cultural programmes, entertainment, food, exhibitions, family activities and water-based recreation against the scenic backdrop of Bekal Beach and the Arabian Sea. Held as a multi-day festival, the event was created to promote Bekal and the wider Kasaragod region as a tourism destination while showcasing the area’s distinctive cultural heritage. The festival programme has included flea markets, flower exhibitions, sand-sculpture competitions, food festivals, automobile exhibitions and a wide range of stage performances, creating a lively atmosphere along the coastline. Water-based activities are an important attraction of the festival, with Kerala Tourism listing kayaking, parasailing, canoeing, snorkelling and scuba diving among the activities associated with the event. The exact activities can vary between editions and are subject to weather and operational arrangements. Cultural performances provide another major dimension, with programmes featuring traditional art forms associated with Kasaragod and northern Kerala, including Theyyam, Alamikkali and Yakshagana, alongside contemporary music and entertainment. The festival has also incorporated craft and shopping areas, exhibitions and family-oriented attractions, giving visitors opportunities to explore local products and regional traditions alongside the beach activities. Bekal’s natural and historic setting adds considerably to the experience. The expansive beach lies beside the famous Bekal Fort, a distinctive laterite structure overlooking the Arabian Sea and one of Kerala’s best-known heritage attractions. The fort, beach and surrounding landscape provide a striking setting for the festival, particularly during evening programmes when the coastline becomes a vibrant public gathering space. The Bekal International Beach Festival has been organised in different editions and its scale and programme have changed over time. The 2023 edition, for example, featured cultural and musical nights, food festivals, sports, exhibitions, water sports, a kite festival, sand art, an aqua show and other attractions. The festival returned for a third edition from December 20 to 31, 2025, at Bekal Beach Park, following editions in 2022 and 2023. For travellers searching for Bekal Beach Festival, Bekal International Beach Festival, Kasaragod beach events or water sports in northern Kerala, the festival offers a combination of coastal recreation, regional culture and public entertainment in one of Kerala’s most distinctive seaside destinations.

🚆 Railway: Kanhangad Railway Station — approximately 10 km from Bekal Beach; Kasaragod Railway Station is about 15–16 km away.

✈️ Airport: Mangaluru International Airport — approximately 74 km from Bekal Beach.

🚌 Bus: Bekal is accessible by road from Kasaragod and Kanhangad, with local buses serving Bekal and the Bekal Fort area. Kerala Tourism lists Bekal Bus Station about 3.7 km from the wider Bekal destination.

🏨 Stay: Hotels, beach resorts, homestays and serviced villas are available around Bekal, Pallikkara and nearby areas. Kerala Tourism lists several registered accommodation properties in the Bekal area.

✅ Notes: The Bekal International Beach Festival is generally held during the December–January period, with dates and programmes varying by edition. Water activities such as kayaking, parasailing and scuba diving may depend on weather, operator availability and event arrangements. The 2025 edition ran from December 20–31 at Bekal Beach Park.