The 300 year old Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. Bakel the magnificent and robust fort, which overlooks the calm seas and the snow white beach is twenty six kms South of Kasargod town, the northern most Kerala town. 1992 the Government of India declared Bekal Fort as a special tourism area. Bakel fort and the adjoining beach selected by the central government to develop into a special tourism area for the promotion of tourism, Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC).

According to the South Canara Manual, Bekaln fort fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763. After the overthrow of Tipu Sultan in 1799, Bekal was incorporated into the dominions of the English East India Company. Bekal is derived from the word Baliakulam, meaning Big Palace. The place is said to have been the seat of a big palace in the past. The term Baliakulam got corrupted as Bekulam and later as Bekal. There is a Travellers’ Bungalow, maintained by the PUBLIC Works Department of the State Government within the Bekal fort. The natural scenery at Bekal is alluring and makes a visit to the place an exhilarating experience. There is a recently renovated temple dedicated to Hanuman, at the entrance to Bekal. An old mosque is also situated very near the fort and this is believed to have been founded by Tipu Sultan.