How Many Backwaters Are There in Kerala? Major Backwater Destinations

Kerala is famous for its peaceful network of lakes, lagoons, canals, rivers, and interconnected waterways. These waterways are collectively known as the Kerala backwaters. But how many backwaters are there in Kerala? There is no single universally accepted number because the term “backwaters” refers to a connected network rather than a fixed list of individual lakes. Several major backwater systems and lakes form the backbone of Kerala’s backwater tourism.How Many Backwaters Are There in Kerala?

How Many Backwaters Are There in Kerala?

We all know that Kerala is famous for its backwaters. But do you know how many backwaters are there in Kerala? If you know this fact, then you will know more things about Kerala backwater tourism. The list of backwaters in Kerala is simply amazing to know. It is a fact that the backwaters in Kerala are famous all over India. But do you know that you can actually visit these backwaters? And not just visit them, but experience the culture of these backwater places in Kerala. The Alleppey backwaters are immensely famous, but what about the other places?

Kerala Backwaters – A complex eco-system

Actually speaking, there is no official count of the backwaters in Kerala. So if someone asks the question How many backwaters in Kerala, then it would be difficult to answer. In reality, the landscape of Kerala is such an amazing beauty of nature that it needs to be seen to believe it. The river streams from inland come and meet the ocean. It forms natural canals and waterways. Secondly, the ocean waters near Kerala make natural bays and harbours. Some places have lakes and lagoons, canals, and waterways. So, there is not one, but many sources of water, and this is the reason why Kerala has so many backwaters. The ocean waters also come inland and form natural lakes and lagoons. This has created a complex system of waterways, which we today refer to as the backwaters of Kerala.

What Are the Kerala Backwaters?

The backwaters of Kerala are natural formations in Kerala. The long coastline of Kerala and the various rivers that meet the sea have created this natural formation. You can do Kerala backwater tourism and visit these places. The major water bodies that you can view in Kerala include lakes, lagoons, canals, estuaries, rivers, and freshwater and brackish water environments. These are broadly called the backwaters of Kerala. Fishing, farming, and tourism are the main activities that have developed in these backwaters. The traditional way of crossing these backwaters is by boat, kayaks, houseboats, and ferries. The farming people who live in these backwaters have developed their unique ways of navigating these backwaters.

Major Backwaters in Kerala

The major places where you will find the famous backwaters in Kerala are shown below. Apart from Alleppey backwaters, there are many more such backwater places in Kerala.

Alleppey Backwaters

The most famous backwater destination in Kerala is the Alleppey Backwaters. Alleppey is also called Alappuzha. Palm trees, lakes, lagoons, and canals dominate the landscape of Alleppey backwaters. Alleppey is famously called as the Venice of the East due to its long network of canals. Houseboats are used to navigate through these canals. You can stay overnight in these traditional houseboats and enjoy canoe cruises, Kerala meals and night stay. You can also view the rural life of Kerala villages in Alleppey. Snake Boat races are held in August and they are famous all over India and the world.

Vembanad Lake

The longest lake in India and also the largest lake in Kerala, Vembanad Lake is famous. It is the largest backwater in Kerala and is perfect for tourism. The lake is so large that it spans across Kumarakom and Alleppey. Houseboat tourism is the best way to explore Vembanad Lake and plays an important role in the tourism of Kerala. You can view the surrounding fields and backwaters in this houseboat tour of Vembanad Lake.

Ashtamudi Lake

Ashtamudi Lake is the second largest lake in Kerala. The lake is near Kollam and is easily accessible from Kollam. Ashtamudi Lake is the perfect place to explore the Kollam backwaters. The lake has several facilities for tourists, such as houseboat cruises. It plays an important role in Kerala backwater tourism. You can explore Munroe Island and experience the fishing and village culture of Kerala. The extensive network of waterways of this lake is best explored. The main feature of this lake is the many islands that come across on your houseboat tour of Ashtamudi Lake.

Kuttanad Backwaters

The famous thing about Kuttanad backwaters is that it is called the Rice Bowl of Kerala. It is one of the only places in Kerala where rice farming is done below sea level. You can view green paddy fields here, and the village scenery is simply astounding. You can go for boat cruises in Kerala in the Kuttanad Backwaters. The river canals and narrow inlets are beautiful when viewed from a distance. You can do houseboat cruises, taste the local cuisine, and experience the unique Kerala culture. It is one of the best backwater places in Kerala.

Kumarakom Backwaters

The backwaters of Kerala look very beautiful in Kumarakom. You can view the scenic waterways, the inlets, and the village scenery. Kumarakom is also famous for its birdlife, and you can view birds in the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is also reputed to have the best resorts, and you can enjoy traditional Kerala-style meals in these resorts. If you love bird watching and village life, then you should visit Kumarakom. The houseboat cruises will offer you the best view of the Kumarakom backwaters and Vembanad Lake.

Munroe Island Backwaters

The island called Munroe Island is located near Kollam and is famous for its waterways and narrow canals. Munroe Island backwaters are the location where the Kallada River meets the Ashtamudi Lake. Unlike the big lakes and backwaters in Kerala, there are narrow waterways and canals in Munroe Island, and you can explore these with kayaks and canoes. The mangrove forests and unspoiled village life are the best experience you can have on Munroe Island. This island certainly is one of the best Kerala backwater places.

Kozhikode Backwaters

You will see untouched virgin beauty wherever you go in Kozhikode. The Kozhikode backwaters are less crowded compared to the busier Alleppey backwaters. They are quiet, serene, and full of natural backwater beauty. The boat cruises here are more scenic and wonderful. There is a bird sanctuary nearby called the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, and you can spot birds here. You can experience the traditional rural life in Kerala here.

Kasaragod Backwaters

The Kasaragod backwaters are in the Valiyaparamba region of Kerala. These backwaters are famous for their quieter surroundings. You can consider these backwaters as a quieter alternative to Alleppey or Kumarakom. They offer more privacy and seclusion. The natural beauty of Kasaragod Backwaters is to be seen to be believed. They are formed by four rivers that stretch parallel to the sea. You can spot resident and migratory birds in these backwaters. Houseboat cruises in the Kasaragod backwaters will offer you a unique chance to explore the nearby villages and mangrove forests. You can choose from shikaras, speedboats, and houseboats.

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Explore Kerala’s Famous Backwaters

Experience the beauty of Kerala’s backwaters, lush landscapes and hill stations on this 7-Day Kerala Highlights of Southern India Tour . Discover Munnar, Periyar, Kumarakom and Alleppey, including a relaxing houseboat experience through Kerala’s scenic backwaters.

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List of Major Backwaters in Kerala

Backwater / Water System	Major Location	Known For
Vembanad Lake	Alappuzha, Kottayam	Houseboats and village cruises
Ashtamudi Lake	Kollam	Backwater cruises and Munroe Island
Kuttanad waterways	Alappuzha	Paddy fields and canals
Kumarakom backwaters	Kottayam	Houseboats and birdwatching
Munroe Island	Kollam	Canoeing and narrow canals
Kozhikode backwaters	Kozhikode	Northern Kerala waterways
Valiyaparamba	Kasaragod	Scenic northern backwaters

Which Is the Largest Backwater in Kerala?

If we were to talk about the largest backwater in Kerala, then it is a difficult question. If we consider lakes as backwaters, then we can say that Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater in Kerala. It has a huge network of canals, waterways, and islands. It is also the most famous backwater destination in Kerala. Vembanad Lake is the biggest lake in Kerala and also the largest lake in Kerala. It forms the largest backwater system in Kerala.

What Is the Biggest Lake in Kerala?

Vembanad Lake is the biggest lake in Kerala. The lake is huge and has many islands in it. You can enjoy houseboat stays and rides in this lake. You can also visit Alappuzha and Kumarakom along with Vembanad Lake. The Kerala backwaters are amazing places, and you will not be able to see such places anywhere else in India. Most associate Kerala backwaters only with Alappuzha or Alleppey, but there are so many other places where you can experience the true beauty of Kerala backwaters.

Best Backwaters in Kerala for Tourists

You can consider the following places for backwater tourism in Kerala. These are easily the best backwaters in Kerala for tourists.

Destination	Best For
Alappuzha	First-time visitors and houseboats
Kumarakom	Couples, resorts and birdwatching
Kollam	Longer cruises and quieter scenery
Munroe Island	Canoeing and village experiences
Kuttanad	Paddy fields and rural landscapes
Valiyaparamba	Peaceful northern Kerala experience

Kerala Backwaters Tourism – Why Are They Famous?

What makes Kerala backwaters so famous? The natural beauty of the place makes it so famous. The backwaters in Kerala are where you can go for Kerala backwater tourism. There are so many things to enjoy here.

• View the traditional boats of Kerala called Kettuvallams.
• Enjoy houseboat cruises, canoe and kayak cruises.
• Spot birds in the mangrove swamps and mangrove forests.
• Experience the joys of slow travel in these Kerala backwaters.
• You can enjoy village meals and traditional Kerala cuisine.
• View the golden sunsets and panorama of palm trees.
• Experience the idyllic village life and Kerala rural life in these backwaters.

How to Experience the Backwaters of Kerala

So now the question arises: how to actually enjoy the backwaters of Kerala? You can choose from these options if you want to truly experience the joys of Kerala backwater tourism.

Houseboat Cruise

In this type of cruise, you will go on a cruise in a traditional kettuvallam. These are the traditional houseboats of Kerala and were used in ancient times to carry cargo. These are wooden boats and are spacious enough inside to accommodate tourists. These houseboats are furnished with bedrooms, bathrooms, balconies, sun decks, and kitchens. In most cases, these houseboats have a chef, assistant, and driver. The meals are traditional Kerala meals and are prepared with authentic and locally grown spices. They run in famous routes like Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kollam and Kumarakom. You can cruise all day long in these houseboats, and at night, they are anchored near the shores of the lake.

Shikara Ride

You can also go for shikara rides in the backwaters in Kerala. They are a more budget-friendly way of exploring the Kerala backwater places. These shikara rides are generally 1 to 2 hours long, and rates depend on the hours you ride. Alappuzha, Vembanad Lake, and Punnamada Lake are the places where you can go for shikara rides. You get enough time to view the natural beauty of Kerala due to the unhurried pace and speed of these shikara rides.

Canoe Ride

These canoe rides are done in places where there are narrow water channels, canals, and inlets. They offer a more convenient way to explore the backwaters of Kerala. Canoe rides are more economical and within budget. You can get a closer view of the village life, greenery, and birdlife compared to the houseboats. Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kochi, and Munroe Island are the various places for canoe rides.

Village Backwater Tour

You can cruise on canoes and explore the village life in Kerala in this Village Backwater tour. The experience will also include visiting the village households and understanding how they make coir products and taste their cuisine. The canoes are fully authentic non-mechanized boats, made of wood. The outskirts of Alleppey, Vaikom, Kadamakkudy, and Kumbalangi are the various places to explore on these village backwater tours.

Best Time to Visit Kerala Backwaters

What is the best time to visit the backwaters in Kerala is shown below.

Season	What to Expect
October–February	Pleasant weather and popular travel season
March–May	Hotter weather
June–September	Monsoon, lush scenery and heavier rainfall

How Many Days Do You Need to Explore Kerala Backwaters?

You will need 2-3 days to explore the backwaters of Kerala. A longer tour itinerary of Kerala will allow you to discover various regions and backwater destinations in Kerala.

• 1 day: It is good for a single-night houseboat stay in Alleppey.
• 2 days: You can explore the major lakes in Kerala and explore the canals more comfortably. You will sleep in the boat for the entire course of the Kerala backwater tour.
• 3 days: You can visit Kumarakom and Alleppey in this Kerala backwater tour or customize the itinerary to include Kollam/ Munroe Island.

Recommended Backwater Itinerary

Varanasi Excursion has given a sample tour itinerary for exploring the Kerala Backwater tour. We can customize it for you and add other places also.

• Day 1: Board a houseboat in Alleppey and cruise on the backwaters till evening. You can view the sunset in Vembanad Lake and stay in the houseboat for the night.
• Day 2: Wake up in the houseboat and have a traditional Kerala-style breakfast. Switch to a canoe or kayak and explore the narrow inlets and canals where houseboats cannot enter.
• Day 3: Visit Kumarakom and visit the bird sanctuary. Spot birds and indulge in nature photography. Relax in a lakeside resort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Verdict

The answer to the question of how many backwaters are there in Kerala is not as simple as it sounds. Although there are more than 30 backwater places in Kerala, around 10 or 15 of them are recognized tourist destinations. The backwaters are difficult to number as they are a continuous network of waterways, coastal places, lakes, lagoons, canals, rivers, and mangrove swamps. The backwaters in Kerala are like an entire ecosystem of these features and have their own culture. Vembanad, Kuttanad, Ashtamudi, Kollam, and Alappuzha are famous for their backwaters. You can also book a tour of these backwaters with Varanasi Excursion.