Kerala backwaters is a 900 km long chain of lagoons, canals, and estuaries that spread across the beautiful state of Kerala. A paradise for boat tours, houseboat stays, and other tourist activities, the Kerala backwaters are a must-visit for anyone exploring the best of India. Experience the local culture, cuisine, and wildlife as you cruise along its calm waters.
Enjoy a glimpse into the daily life of the people living in the villages, spot a variety of birds, and admire the breathtaking beauty of the lush green paddy fields. Whether you are looking for an adventurous ride in a canoe or a peaceful boat ride, a Kerala backwaters tour is sure to fill your heart with joy.
Advantages of Exploring the Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala backwaters offer a rare blend of natural beauty and local culture. With numerous water bodies like canals, rivers, and lakes, this region is a paradise for water sports.
The Kerala backwaters are a great place for kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. You can even hire a houseboat and explore the backwaters at your own pace and convenience. The backwaters are also an ideal place for fishing, crab catching, and other aquatic activities.
If you are looking for an adventure, you can try river surfing, scuba diving, and even sandboarding near the Kerala backwaters. Explore the rich marine life near the backwaters by snorkeling or scuba diving.
Popular tourist activities in Kerala Backwaters
Boating
Enjoy a relaxing ride in a rowboat or a canoe near the Kerala backwaters. You can also hire a traditional Kerala-styled country boat and explore the backwaters at your own pace. You can also try speedboat rides near the backwaters.
Fishing
The Kerala backwaters are a great place for fishing. You can hire boats with fishing nets near the backwaters. You can also explore the rich marine life near the backwaters by snorkeling or scuba diving.
Cruising
Explore the Kerala backwaters by cruise. You can choose between a houseboat cruise or a luxury cruise. You can also take a sunset cruise or a cruise with lunch or dinner on board.
Houseboat stays
Explore the backwaters from the comfort of a houseboat. You can choose between a luxury houseboat cruise or a budget houseboat stay in the Kerala backwaters.
Where to go for a Kerala Backwaters Tour
The Kerala backwaters are located in Central Kerala. You can explore the backwaters from all major Kerala backwaters destinations including Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, Cheruthuruthy, and Kottayam.
Most of the Kerala backwaters tours start from Alleppey. Explore the backwaters from Kollam, Kumarakom, and Cheruthuruthy if you want to explore less crowded backwaters. You can visit Kottayam if you want to see the famous rubber plantation near the backwaters.
Essential tourist tips for Kerala Backwaters
You can explore the Kerala backwaters throughout the year except during monsoons.
- The best time to visit the Kerala backwaters is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.
- You can explore the Kerala backwaters by cruise or houseboat from October to March when the water is calm.
- You can kayak or canoe near the Kerala backwaters from June to August and September to October when the water is slightly rough.
- You can experience a beautiful sunset view near the backwaters from March to May and June to August.
- Avoid visiting the Kerala backwaters during monsoons from June to September as the backwaters are highly polluted and you won’t be able to enjoy the beauty of the backwaters.
- Avoid visiting the Kerala backwaters on public holidays as it gets very crowded and you won’t be able to enjoy the backwaters in their full glory.
- You can visit the Kerala backwaters all year round but do pack warm clothes if you are visiting the backwaters during winters as winters are quite cold in Kerala.
Local culture, cuisine and wildlife in the Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala backwaters are home to many endangered species and you can spot many varieties of birds near the backwaters. The backwaters are also home to turtles and crocodiles.
You can spot many varieties of fish near the backwaters including Prawns, Crabs, Fish and Shrimps. You can also see many varieties of flora near the Kerala backwaters including lotuses, water lilies, and wild flowers.
The Kerala backwaters are home to a wide variety of local culture. You can enjoy a leisurely boat ride and explore the local culture near the backwaters. The locals living near the backwaters are mostly friendly and are always ready to welcome tourists with a smile.
You can also spot local artists painting beautiful landscapes and daily life scenes near the backwaters. Kerala cuisine is famous for its coconut, fish, and rice-based dishes. You can enjoy a variety of mouth-watering Kerala dishes near the backwaters.
Best time to visit the Kerala Backwaters
The Kerala backwaters are best explored between October and March when the weather is pleasant and calm waters make it ideal for houseboat cruises and boat rides. You can enjoy a beautiful sunset view near the backwaters between March to May and June to August.
Avoid visiting the backwaters during monsoons as they are highly polluted. Do not visit the backwaters on public holidays as they get very crowded and you won’t be able to enjoy the backwaters in their full glory.
The Kerala backwaters are best explored during winters as winters are quite cold in Kerala. You can still visit the backwaters during summers but do pack warm clothes if you are visiting the backwaters during winters.
Other tourist destinations near the Kerala Backwaters
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Explore the beautiful Kerala backwaters from the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. You can spot many exotic birds near the backwaters.
Kottayam Rubber Plantation
Explore the Kerala backwaters from the rubber plantation near Kottayam. You can also explore the rich marine life near the backwaters by snorkeling or scuba diving. –
Pathiramanal Island
Explore the beautiful Kerala backwaters from the Pathiramanal Island. You can explore the backwaters by canoe or by hiring a country boat near the Pathiramanal Island.
Cherai Beach
Explore the beautiful Kerala backwaters from the Cherai Beach. You can explore the backwaters by canoe or by hiring a country boat.
How to find the best packages to explore the Kerala Backwaters
You can explore the Kerala backwaters by booking a houseboat cruise or by hiring a country boat near the backwaters. You can also explore the backwaters by booking a cruise with meals on board near the backwaters.
You can visit Kerala tour operators online or offline for more information about Kerala backwaters tours and packages. You can also visit travel agents near you for more information about Kerala backwaters tours and packages. You can also explore the Kerala backwaters by booking a backwater tour online.
