Things to Do in Alleppey: Houseboats and Beyond

Quick answer

The best things to do in Alleppey are an overnight houseboat cruise, a canoe ride through narrow village canals, sunrise kayaking, a slow public ferry to Kottayam, a toddy-shop lunch and sunset at Alappuzha or Marari beach. In August, the Nehru Trophy snake-boat race is the year's highlight. One night and one morning covers the essentials.

12 things worth your time in Alleppey

01
Overnight houseboat
Experience
A converted rice barge with a crew of two or three, freshly cooked Kerala meals and the backwaters sliding past. The quiet evening at anchor is the highlight.
About 21 hours (noon to 9 am)About ₹8,000–20,000 per boat for two, with meals
Boats must anchor by about 5:30 pm, so board by noon.
02
Canoe ride through village canals
Experience
Small country boats slip into canals too narrow for houseboats, past homes, laundry steps, ducks and tiny churches. The closest look at backwater life.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹600–1,200 per person
Go early morning, when the light is soft and the canals are busy with locals.
03
Sunrise kayaking
Experience
Guided kayak trips paddle through Kuttanad's quieter canals at dawn, with kingfishers and egrets for company. Most include a breakfast stop.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹800–1,500 per person
04
Public ferry to Kottayam
Experience
The State Water Transport ferry crosses Vembanad Lake and winds through canals, carrying commuters and schoolchildren. The cheapest backwater cruise in Kerala.
About 2.5 hoursUnder ₹50 one way
Check the timetable at the Alappuzha boat jetty the day before.
05
Alappuzha beach and lighthouse
Landmark
A wide town beach with the remains of a 19th-century pier and a working lighthouse you can climb for views over the coconut-fringed coast.
1–2 hoursBeach free; lighthouse about ₹20–50
06
Marari beach
Beach
A quiet fishing-village beach 12 km north of town, with catamarans on the sand and a few good resorts. The calmest beach in the area.
Half dayFree
Currents can be strong; swim only near resort lifeguards.
07
Kuttanad by bicycle or on foot
Experience
Kuttanad's paddy fields lie below sea level, protected by dykes. Walking or cycling the bunds shows how farming here works.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹800–1,500 per person with a guide
08
Toddy-shop lunch
Food
Local toddy shops serve fresh palm toddy with fiery fish curry, karimeen fry, duck roast and tapioca. Rough-and-ready, and some of the best food in Kerala.
1 hourAbout ₹300–600 per person
Go with a local guide or driver if you're unsure; family-friendly shops have separate rooms.
09
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Event
Snake boats over 30 m long, each with around 100 rowers, race on Punnamada Lake to drums and singing. Held on a Saturday in August; 22 August in 2026.
Full dayTickets from a few hundred rupees; covered stands cost more
10
Pathiramanal Island
Nature
A small wooded island in Vembanad Lake popular with birdwatchers; easiest to visit as a stop on a houseboat or motorboat trip.
2–3 hours by boatBoat hire extra
11
Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple
Landmark
A traditional Kerala temple 14 km south of town, famous for its sweet rice-and-milk paal payasam offering.
1 hourFree
Hindus only inside; dress code applies.
12
Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam
Museum
An 18th-century palace in classic Kerala style, home to the Gajendra Moksham mural, one of the largest wall paintings in the state.
1 hourSmall entry fee

Houseboat, shikara or canoe: which should you choose?

Option	Time	Cost (approx.)	Best for
Overnight houseboat	Noon to 9 am	₹8,000–20,000 per boat for two	The classic experience
Day houseboat	11 am–5 pm	₹5,000–9,000 per boat	Short on time
Motorised shikara	1–3 hours	₹700–1,200 per hour per boat	Couples, families
Country canoe	2–3 hours	₹600–1,200 per person	Narrow canals, village life
Public ferry	2.5 hours	Under ₹50	Budget travellers

Houseboats are big and can only use the wider channels and Vembanad Lake. To see the narrow canals of Kuttanad, with homes, churches and toddy shops a few feet away, you need a canoe or small shikara. The ideal combination is an overnight houseboat followed by a two-hour canoe ride the next morning.

What else is there beyond the water?

Alleppey town has a long beach, a ruined 19th-century pier and a lighthouse. Twelve km north, Marari has a quiet fishing-village beach with good resorts. The Ambalapuzha temple, 14 km south, is famous for its paal payasam, though entry is for Hindus only. Across Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom's bird sanctuary is worth an early-morning visit between November and February if you're a birdwatcher.

Avoid touts at the bus stand and boat jetty offering "houseboat deals". Book a Kerala Tourism-classified boat directly or through your travel agent, and confirm the boat's name, bedroom count and AC hours in writing.

See the best time to visit Alleppey, choose between a houseboat, lakeside resort and Marari in where to stay in Alleppey, and plan the wider route with things to do in Kerala and what to eat in Kerala.

Frequently asked questions

Is a houseboat or a shikara better in Alleppey?

They do different jobs. A houseboat is a floating hotel for an overnight stay on the wide channels and the lake; a shikara or canoe is a short ride into narrow canals that houseboats can't enter. If you have one night, book the houseboat and add a two-hour canoe ride the next morning.

Can vegetarians manage on an Alleppey houseboat?

Easily. Every houseboat has a cook who prepares meals on board, and vegetarian Kerala food such as sambar, avial, thoran, rice and appam is standard. Tell the operator in advance if you need Jain food without onion and garlic, or North Indian dishes, so they can stock the right ingredients.

How do I avoid houseboat scams in Alleppey?

Book through a known agent or directly with an operator whose boats are classified by Kerala Tourism. Get the boat's name, photos, bedroom count, AC hours, meal plan and check-in and check-out times in writing. Avoid on-the-spot deals from touts, which often switch you to an older boat on the day.

Is one night enough in Alleppey?

For most travellers, yes. An overnight houseboat plus a canoe ride the next morning covers the backwater experience well. Add a second night at Marari beach or a lakeside resort if you want to slow down, or if you're visiting during the Nehru Trophy or Onam.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.