Kavvayi islands which is 40 kms away from Kannur and 4 kms away from Payyannur is one of the major tourist destinations of the Kannur district itself. Recorded in the travel writings of scholars and explorers Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, Kavil Pattanam, today known as Kavvayi, has been recreated into a beautiful island. The Kavvayi islands (also known as Kavvayi Kayal) are the largest backwater island group in north Kerala, spanning the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. Historically, kavil Pattanam served as a crossroads for spice and gem trade from Malabar and of the wootz steel/Damascus steel before it was banned by the British in the 17th century.
In comparison to the other prominent backwaters in Kerala, the backwaters are quiet and less commercialized. The Kavvayi Kayaking Tour offers some of the best opportunities for gliding over calm waters. On a Kayak, a traveler can explore the village from all sides by cruising through the waterway between them. With a 12 min(5.3Km) travel from Skanda Residency, Kavvayi Backwaters is a must-visit destination in your Kannur tourism.
| Distance from | Distance |
| Kannur | 40 kms |
| Payyanur | 4 kms |
