Kerala is world’s best back water destination today with its blue lagoons, planned tourism development, responsible approach and the experience which offer. Long spreaded green country side, swaying coconut trees on the shore, dancing rice fields, unique village life followed by the people on the shores, small islands make this backwater areas are perfect to explore and enjoy in holidays at Kerala. Major attraction came in the scene is the cruise in Kettuvallam or Tradtional Kerala houseboats, without a houseboat cruise and overnight stay on it, no tour gets complete in Kerala. Houseboats are the best option for exploring the interior back water villages along with the taste and flavours’ of Kerala Cuisines. Majority of Kerala districts are blessed with the presence of back water stretches like Kasargod, Kannur, Calicut, Trissur, Eranakulam, Alleppey, Kottaya, Kollam , Trivandrum etc. Among the number of Beautiful back waters Vembanadu Lake is prominent and 90 % of the back water tourism is concentrated on it by Kumarakom and Alleppey areas. Kerala Govt. Is on a project to link all these back waters together to form a state water high way from Kasaragod to Trivandrum.
Some years before Kumarakom was an unknown Backwater village with its usual routines. Its a village of a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake ,Geographically is a wetland produces various crops and eported to friegn countries. Kumarakom's soil is extremely fertile due to the proximity of the water source, this has resulted in the growth of a wide variety of flora in Kumarakom, especially the mangrove and coconut trees. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), the 'Chemeen' (Prawns) and the 'Konju' (Tiger Prawns). Kumarakom has a famous bird Santury on the shore of backwater with a many water birds and other migrating birds. Houseboat rides are available in Kumarakom to explore the village life.
Alleppey is the heart of Kerala backwater tourism and the anchoring yard of hundreds of houseboats. It’s the rarest place on planet where cultivation still does under the sea level and produces a major portion of Kerala’s rice stock. Its also known as Venice of the East by the geographical specialities as its floating land , children learning swimming before they walk, instead motorcycle they use small ferry to reach the shops or neibouring villages. It has no advanced infrastructures and amusement to offer but for a nature lover, its like a paradise. One can also visit the nearby coir villages, paddy field, fish farms, toddy tapping farms, Hindu temples etc. Snake boats of Alleppey and its race is one and only of its kind in world which is conducted during the monsoon time in Vembanadu Lake among the major races, Nehru Trophy snake boat race is world famous one.
Kollam district is another emerging backwater tourism spot as it’s not so far from Trivandrum and the Varkala beach. Kollam has undisturbed and unexploited backwaters and very good Ayurveda resorts to offer Kollam previously known as Quilon in Kerala, India is an ancient port located on the edge of the Ashthamudi Lake. Traders visited Kollam in ancient times from lands
as far away as Phoenicia, Arabia, Greece, Rome and China. In more recent times the Portuguese established a trading post at Kollam, after which the Dutch and British set up their factories to export spices, sandalwood, ivory and coir. Kollam is also a beautiful destination and a gateway to the Kerala backwaters. Poovar in Kovalam is another beautiful lagoon in Trivandrum district which has an estuary and breathtaking view to the beach and sea. Good back water resorts are available in Poovar and surroundings.
The city Kochi is embrace with the backwaters and Arabian Sea together in the western side. So that Cochin becomes the best waterfront city in the country and has so many water tourism activities attached with. India’s largest container terminal, Cochin shipyard, Navy head quarters, Bolgatty Marina etc are located with these backwater shores. The long walk way Cochin Marine drive is a beautiful spot for the rest and relaxation for the visitors in cochin. A boating in cochin back waters will give you the opportunities to see the big ships and container boats, Bolgatty palace, Marina, Chinese fishnets etc.
Northern Kerala has the treasure of beautiful backwaters which are unknown to the main stream travellers and tourist. Valiya Paramaba backwater of Kasaragod and Kannur districts are the most famous and it attracts so many travellers. Bekal Tourism and Kannur Tourism projects will bring more attention and it’s the future of Kerala back water tourism in coming years. Some new back water resorts have started operations here and promoting these backwaters. Houseboat cruise i vailabe in Padanna nearby Kanhngad. The presence of green mangroves is the best speciality of Malabar Backwaters. Calicut districts have so many backwaters nearby Kadalundi. Its the favourite destination of migrating birds and a well known Kadalundi Bird Sancury is situated here.
