Boating in Alleppey is unique to Kerala. A boat ride in different types of houseboats in Alleppey will let you get up close and personal with its uncharted beauty! It is the easiest and most economical way to access and explore famous Kerala backwaters.
The types of houseboats you choose will depend on factors like
- Kind of experience you wish to have
- Your budget
- Number of people who are travelling with you
- Your preference to opt for a day cruise or an overnight stay in houseboat
- Duration of your trip.
Sometimes it even depends on the kind of waterway you wish to sail in. For instance, houseboats can make their way through most rivers and lakes in Alleppey, but if you wish to venture into some tight-spaced and narrow canals, you will need to hire smaller boats like canoes and kayaks.
Let us look at the types of boats Alleppey offers so that you can pick the right one for your trip and explore these magical backwaters the best way possible!
Types of houseboats in Alleppey
Here are a few options of boats available for touring the backwaters of Alleppey, the advantages and disadvantages associated with them, and their estimated cost.
Give them a look before splurging on a lavish houseboat or opting for economical options like public ferries depending on your budget, trip type, and duration of stay.
1. Traditional Kerala Houseboat
Dotting the wonderful landscape of Kerala’s web of backwaters, houseboats are the most popular choice for a boat ride in Alleppey and Kumarakom in Kerala. You can either take a day cruise on these artsy houses sailing on the backwaters, or you can rent them for the whole night.
ALSO SEE – Day Cruise in Kerala Backwaters (with Kochi Pickup & drop)
A houseboat essentially has amenities like one or more bedrooms, a common seating area or lounge, cooked meals, A/C, a bathroom, as well as a sundeck for viewing the backwaters and dining, all of which is included in the price.
The crew usually includes the boatmen, the chef, and an attendant or two to look after you during your day tour or overnight stay.
It is easy to book a houseboat cruise in Alleppey. You can either ask your tour operator in Kerala and choose from popular options available online after reading their reviews.
Advantages of houseboats in Alleppey:
- With all the comforts and facilities of a hotel along with meals and views, it’s an all-inclusive deal.
- People find that an A/C houseboat is a great way to explore the hot and humid backwaters of Alleppey in the daytime.
- You’ll be treated like royalty and given special treatment throughout your stay, with the staff taking care of your every whim and fancy!
- The prospect of endless 5-star amenities, utter seclusion, and the stunning views it offers makes a private houseboat the first choice of honeymooners and couples visiting Kerala for a stay and a boat ride in Alleppey!
- Houseboats are a unique aspect of Kerala and offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail the alluring backwaters of Kerala in a dreamy floating house!
Disadvantages of houseboats in Alleppey:
- Staying in a houseboat is quite expensive. The more facilities it has, the costlier it’ll get.
- Houseboats are large and can only traverse through the usual touristy routes and wide canals that are already crowded with other houseboats.
- As per Kerala Government guidelines, all private houseboats are parked by 5 PM till the next morning, which means you won’t be allowed to commute in your houseboat post-evening.
- Once the houseboat is parked at 5 PM, there wont be anything much to do than enjoying some family time , watching the sunset from the houseboat or watching some movies on the TV
- To explore Alleppey’s local areas at night or to traverse into small canals during the day, you’ll have to ditch your houseboat and charter a small boat.
Alleppey houseboat price for a day tour: Starting at INR 4,000/- (limited facilities for a 5-6 hour day tour)
Alleppey houseboat price for an overnight stay: Starting at INR 7,000/- (budget houseboat with basic amenities like one bedroom, bathroom, sundeck, and kitchen)
ALSO SEE – 9 Useful Alleppey Houseboat Booking Tips: Menu, Rates, Timings & Stay
2. Shikara
Much like the famed shikaras of Dal Lake in the Indian state of Kashmir, shikaras in Kerala are long boats with a roof and comfortable seating that can accommodate up to 4-5 persons at a time and is a good option for anyone to enjoy a backwater cruise if you find houseboat expensive.
They are perfect for exploring the backwaters during the day when the sun is out and the weather’s hot and dry.
Advantages of shikaras in Alleppey:
- Fewer people opt for shikaras as compared to houseboats and ferries, so you won’t be left waiting in long queues before you board one of these.
- It has a roof that provides shade against the blazing sun.
- These are way cheaper than houseboats.
- A shikara has cushioned seats and sunbeds which makes it ideal for a long boat ride in Alleppey lasting 2-3 hours.
- Unlike houseboats and ferries, shikaras can venture into small canals and waterways, letting you explore offbeat and hidden places in the backwaters of Kerala.
Disadvantages of shikaras in Alleppey:
- Most shikaras in Kerala operate on a sharing basis and lacks privacy, so you may end up in the boat with other tourists unless you’re willing to pay extra for a private one.
- Shikaras may be cheaper than houseboats, but they are still more expensive than ferries and canoes, especially if you opt for a private shikara.
- Despite the roof, it’s an open boat that can be quite difficult to sit in during really hot days or peak afternoon hours.
Alleppey shikara price: Starting at INR 500/- per hour (private boats may charge up to INR 2,000/- per hour)
ALSO SEE – Choosing Alleppey Houseboat Cruise- Price, Packages & Timings
3. Canoes
A canoe is a slender wooden rowboat. It is a simple and small boat that fits not more than 1-2 or 3-4 people at once, where each is required to paddle either side of the boat using long oars.
You can either row these traditional country boats yourself or hire a boatman to take you around while you focus solely on enjoying your breezy canoe boat ride in Alleppey. You can journey through narrow canals and remote villages in these canoes, as they are lean enough to worm their way through tight spaces.
It is usually too hot in Alleppey to cover long distances on a canoe. So, it is recommended that you cover most of the distance by a ferry or houseboat, and then hire a canoe for the rest of the way.
Advantages of canoes in Alleppey:
- They can crawl into tight spaces and narrow canals, allowing you to explore remote local villages and see parts of Alleppey that you can’t otherwise access in a houseboat or ferry.
- Just like shikaras, they are eco-friendly and a noiseless means of travel in Alleppey.
- Canoes are also the cheapest boats available in Alleppey and is an eco friendly option.
- These silent and discreet boats are also highly preferred by birdwatching enthusiasts as their presence doesn’t scare off aviaries.
- A canoe’s boatman is more likely to know all the tranquil and hidden spots in the backwaters compared to others since canoes are most commonly used by locals in Alleppey.
- Sailing on a slow and steady canoe is the most peaceful experience in the backwaters of Kerala during sunset and sunrise.
- They are the most traditional means of traveling around Kerala backwaters. If you wish to explore Kerala like a local, these small boats in Alleppey are your best bet!
Disadvantages of canoes in Alleppey:
- Paddling a canoe can be a tiring and back-breaking affair. It is recommended only for people with good physical strength and stamina.
- Canoes are not shaded, so you can’t expect to cover long distances in these under the sun.
- Canoes are slow. If you wish to cover several places at once, these boats are not recommended.
- These can get too hot to paddle in the day, and sailing them after dark isn’t a good idea. They’re mostly ideal for an early morning trip.
- The seats aren’t comfortable enough for a journey lasting more than an hour.
Alleppey canoe price: Starting at INR 150/- per hour
4. Government ferry
Government ferries, or public ferries, are used by locals and tourists to commute from one end of the town to another. These are the most economical means of public transport in Alleppey operating as per the schedule and rates set down by the Kerala State Water Transport Department.
These are large boats that run at regular intervals between various points in Alleppey, the schedule of which is available on KSWTD’s official website.
While some of these are intended for local commute and take people from one point to another, others are merely tourist boats that travel around key attractions of Alleppey’s backwaters and then bring the passengers back to the same jetty. Make sure you pick the right ferry as per your itinerary for a convenient boat ride in Alleppey.
You can sit either on the lower deck and stay away from the warm weather and the sun, or you can sit on the upper deck and enjoy panoramic views of Alleppey’s gorgeous backwaters. Tourists and photographers generally prefer to sit on the upper deck.
Most of these ferries ply from the Alleppey Central Boat Station and SWTD Boat Jetty, both of which are located within walking distance from the Alappuzha bus station.
Advantages of public ferries in Alleppey:
- You get to experience Kerala’s scenic backwaters at a very nominal rate on this government-operated boat ride in Alleppey.
- You can choose to sit in the shaded lower deck to get away from the city’s heat.
- You can gaze at panoramic views of Alleppey backwaters stretching into the horizon from the spacious upper deck.
- Since ticket prices of government ferries in Alleppey are incredibly low, you can plan well and cover a lot more places of interest in Alleppey than through other boats.
- There are several stops along the main Alappuzha canal marked in black and white stripes where passengers can get down and explore spots like shops, temples, churches, and toddy shacks before catching the next boat from there.
- Many inter-city ferries also operate from Alappuzha taking people to towns like Kottayam, Kollam, Kumarakom, Thottapally, and more.
Disadvantages of public ferries in Alleppey:
- Public ferries are really noisy.
- Like any other public transport unit, most of these ferries are really old and unclean.
- Public ferries in Alleppey cause a lot of air and water pollution.
- There is a set schedule for each ferry and if you miss the boat, you’ll have to wait for the next one, while other boats in Alleppey are readily available.
- Since these boats operate on a strict schedule to cover a specific set of places in Alleppey, you’ll have to tweak your travel plans accordingly and you may end up missing out on local experiences and offbeat places here.
- Seats are available on a first come first serve basis, so if you have a dock preference (upper or lower), book your ticket well in advance.
Note: To cover a maximum number of places in Alleppey via a public ferry, make sure you start early in the day. The last ferry usually leaves at 3-4 PM, so plan your day accordingly.
Alleppey government ferry price: Between INR 10/- and INR 100/- depending on the final destination. Inter-city ferry rates may differ.
ALSO SEE – Your Pocket Guide To The Best Backwaters In Alleppey
5. Motorboats
Travelers who visit the calm and tranquil backwaters of Kerala from far-off places seeking peace and relaxation give the least preference to noisy motor boats in Alleppey.
However, they aren’t entirely unpopular since they can cover twice the amount of places in Alleppey than slow rowboats, shikaras, canoes, and houseboats.
Many small-sized motorboats can also venture into narrow canals where houseboats, ferries, and sometimes even shikaras can’t go. They can usually accommodate 2-10 people and cost around INR 250/- to INR 300/- per hour.
You can also hire these on a “day package” basis which allows you to cover lots of tourist spots in Alleppey at nominal rates. A motorboat day package in Alleppey usually costs about INR 700/- and includes snacks and beverages. Don’t forget to inquire about the inclusions before opting for the day package.
ALSO SEE – Backwaters of Kerala Trip – What to Know?
6. Kayak
Kayaks are very small and lightweight boats made with a water-tight frame and a small opening in the top for not more than 1-2 people to sit in. One can propel it using long, double-bladed paddles.
Advantages of kayaks in Alleppey:
- These lightweight boats are easy to paddle, allowing one to cover long distances with ease and without getting tired.
- Kayaks allow close interaction with Alleppey’s serene backwaters and its thriving flora and fauna, enabling one to quietly observe animals and birds without disturbing them.
- You can venture into Alleppey’s most inaccessible coves, villages, mangroves, islands, and tight-spaced canals in kayaks.
- You don’t need a boatman to take you on a kayak boat ride in Alleppey. You can row one yourself and explore at your own pace.
- These are cheaper than houseboats and shikaras.
Disadvantages of kayaks in Alleppey:
- These only seat one or two people at a time, and aren’t suitable for seating children alone.
- Rowing these open boats can get uncomfortable in the hot Alleppey weather during the day. Just make sure you go kayaking early morning or late evening.
Alleppey kayak price: Between INR 700/- and INR 1,500/-
You can choose any type of boat you fancy and glide on the satin waters of Alleppey through resplendent foliage, thick jungles, enchanting sights of local tribal villages, and a never-ending canopy of leafy palm trees swaying in the cool breeze of the Arabian Sea!
Hope this guide will help you to choose the best option that you may want avail.
