Kappad, the historic beach. It is the beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels, thus discovering a sea route to India.

The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old.

A solitary pillar commemorates the event with the inscription, "Vasco da Gama landed here, Kappakadavu, in the year 1498". The sea here is placid and seemingly untouched by history or time.