Alappuzha backwaters: water safety, incidents and help

From the Wikivoyage guide to Alappuzha, written by travellers. Quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0; source: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Alappuzha, fetched 2026-11-15.

Get around

• Like elsewhere in Kerala, Alappuzha has a cheap and efficient local bus system. You can catch buses to almost eerywhere from the KSRTC bus stand, Alappuzha.
• This is a cheap means of transportation between attractions. Make sure you agree on a price first. You can bargain or contact the tourist centre nearby to confirm the auto charges in the area before you set out.
• Local taxis are also available for what many western wallets would consider cheap. There are car rental companies that offer cars with drivers or self-drive options. Rates increase depending on the extra features you select (i.e. whether you want a driver or a car with air-conditioning). If you are unfamiliar with the area, or with driving on Indian roads, you should get a driver as well, who will also be able to recommend places to eat and visit.
• A visit to Alappuzha would not be complete without making a journey by boat. In some cases, such as visiting Kuttanad, boats are the preferred method of transport as some locations are inaccessible by road.
• There are ferry services between places, widely used by the locals, which are a scenic way of getting around.
• 9.49996376.3489421 SWTD Boat Jetty. (updated Mar 2026)
• The government-run Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) boats are there at the boat jetty opposite to Alappuzha KSRTC bus stand. One can use the service and alight at any preferred location at cheap rates by making use of the service. Tourist boat service to the Kollam district is also available from Alappuzha boat jetty at reasonable price.
• As of March 2026 the fare is ₹29 and the departures from Alappuzha to Kottayam are at 7:15AM, 9:35AM, 11:30AM, 2:30PM, 5:15PM. The trip takes two hours. Along the route are multiple short stops. The motor of the boat is loud so consider bringing earplugs for a quieter journey, same as the captain does. From Kottayam you can go back by boat or by KSRTC bus (direct or with a transfer in Changanassery).
• Water taxis, ☏ +91-477-2252015. Water taxis are available at Alappuzha Boat Jetty for ₹1,500 per hour. The boats can seat ten people. (updated Oct 2020)
• From the city center you can walk to the boat jetties nearby. The other sights lie mostly in the outskirts of the town for which walking is too far. Between the city center and the beach are no paved sidewalks, partly it's walking at the edge of the roadway here.

Do

• 9.49415576.3171771 Alleppey Beach (Western edge of town). A fairly large, flat and clean beach. An old pier, which was at one point used for trade and had three railway lines, still stands. Stroll along the beach promenade, have a drink and some food in the "Indian Coffee House" and an ice cream or peanuts from one of the stalls. Locals enjoy playing frisbee and volleyball. Camel and pony rides are available. However, swimming is not recommended unless you are a strong and experienced swimmer. The water is very deep and the current can be very strong. These currents are stronger during and after the monsoon season. Sun tanning might not be a good idea considering that the locals are quite conservative. Free.
• 9.24913376.4531032 Krishnendu Ayurveda Wellness Center, Chingoli, Karthikappally (near Haripad, 30 km from the city centre), ☏ +91 95 444 88 333. Ayurveda centre. It is run by a traditional family of ayurvedic doctors. The hospital and spa are constructed in Kerala traditional architecture style but contains a modern facility. There is a landscaped herbal garden that you can stroll in. You can also visit their herbal medicine manufacturing plant to see how these traditional medicines are prepared. (updated Mar 2021)
• 9.50081476.3533723 Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Races. - Alappuzha is known for its Snake Boat races. Held on the second Saturday of August, the competition is named after Jawaharlal Nehru who inaugurated the event in 1952. These boats carry approximately one hundred persons. Boats are available for rent for spectators during the event.
• Activities Overnight canoe trips, bamboo furniture making classes, music lessons, yoga, painting classes etc. are organised daily at the Bamboostix Island Resort. Ayurvedic Massage & courses at Sreekrishna and Keraleeyam. Anil at Seashore restaurant organises boating on small foam boat used by Kerala fishermen and even fishing expeditions
• Main industry in Alleppey is coir manufacturing. Coir is made of coconut husk. Some of bigger producers organize tours of their facilities
• A bicycle can be rented to tour the town and surrounding areas although travelers are advised to be alert and cautious of unpredictable traffic.
• Village visits by ferry. Try Kainakkary, a short distance from Viluakkuthara. (updated Apr 2015)
• Alappuzha is inlaid with channels that support thriving backwater tourism. A houseboat cruise along the backwaters can be a great way to see and do all that is available in Alappuzha. Houseboats can be rented for 12 hr to few days. There is a new hop-on, hop-off service through remote backwaters in a shared-houseboat. These boats come equipped with a furnished bedroom, sit-outs, kitchen, modern bath and toilet facilities. Some of the house boats even sport an air-conditioner. The houseboats are manned by drivers and a cook. From the boat, you can observe the everyday village life of people, stop for a toddy (traditional mildly alcoholic drink made from coconut sap) with grilled prawns, watch birds, and relax in the middle of the lake.
• It's advisable to book a houseboat through houseboat operators rather than depending on touts who take commissions. Book on the internet if the option is available; it is far better to not wait until the last minute during the high season. Booking on the internet can sometimes earn you a lower price and most, reputable operators have good online service and support. Average pricing is variable, depending on season and demand. If you are lucky, you can sometimes get last minute bargains from houseboat operators whose boat does not have business on that particular day and can get a 1 a/c bedroom houseboat for one night even for ₹8000.
• Contacts for houseboat booking are easily available online.