Kochi’s backwaters offer practical and authentic ways to experience Kerala by paddle. The sunrise kayaking tours stand out – they start early but reward you with peaceful waters and excellent birdwatching. I’m particularly fond of the traditional Shikara boat cruises, which let you relax while a local guide does the paddling. For active travelers, the village life kayaking tours are a winner, taking you past family homes and coconut farms.
What works best: small groups (usually 4-8 people), English-speaking guides who know the waterways, and included pickup from Fort Kochi hotels. Most tours run 2-4 hours and provide basic paddling instruction.
Let’s explore our favorite water tours in Kochi.
Key Points
- Sunrise Kayaking Tour offers a highly rated 5.0 experience with breathtaking morning scenery, stable kayaks, and essential amenities like coffee, tea, and snacks.
- Backwater Canoe and Fort Kochi Tour provides a 6.5-hour experience featuring a traditional Shikara cruise, visit to Fort Kochi, and meal options.
- Kerala Backwater Village Kayaking Tour offers a private tour with interaction with locals, birdwatching, and a delicious locally-prepared lunch.
- Fort Kochi Sightseeing and Kayaking combines 6-hour private tour of landmarks with evening kayaking in Kadamakudy, offering stunning sunset views.
- Full Day Private Canoe Shikkara Combo Cruise provides a private motorized shikkara cruise with Kerala-style breakfast, lunch, and an immersive canoe ride experience.
Sunrise Kayaking in Magical Alleppey Backwater Village
One of the most popular experiences in Kochi is the Sunrise Kayaking tour in the magical Alleppey Backwater Village.
Recommended by 100% of travelers, this 5.0-rated activity offers a scenic and safe kayaking adventure during sunrise. For $18.18 per person, travelers can enjoy coffee, tea, and traditional snacks while paddling through the picturesque backwaters.
The tour provides super stable kayaks, life jackets, and dry bags, ensuring a comfortable and worry-free experience. With a maximum of 21 participants, the activity isn’t wheelchair accessible but suitable for those with moderate physical fitness.
Travelers praise the highlights, including the safety precautions and the breathtaking scenery during the early morning hours.
Read our full review: Sunrise Kayaking in Magical Alleppey Backwater Village Review
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From Kochi Port: Backwater Canoe and Fort Kochi Tour
Departing from the Cochin Port Ships Pier/Berth on Willingdon Island, this 6.5-hour tour takes travelers on a captivating journey through Kerala’s iconic backwaters and the historic Fort Kochi.
Guests will cruise in a traditional Shikara (motorized canoe) and witness lush vegetation, paddy fields, and coconut palms.
The tour includes a visit to Fort Kochi to see the Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing nets).
Depending on the tour time, travelers will enjoy either a traditional vegetarian lunch or snacks with tea/coffee.
Priced from $55 per person, this tour offers a well-rounded experience that showcases the natural and cultural treasures of the Kochi region.
Read our full review: From Kochi Port: Backwater Canoe and Fort Kochi Tour Review
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Kerala Backwater Village Kayaking Tour: Alleppey
The Kerala Backwater Village Kayaking Tour in Alleppey offers travelers a unique opportunity to enjoy the serene and picturesque backwaters of Kerala.
This private tour, rated 5.0 out of 5 by 18 reviewers, is highly recommended by 100% of travelers. Participants will meet at the Emerald Isle Heritage Resort in Nedumudy and paddle through the tranquil waterways, interacting with locals and enjoying scenic views and birdwatching.
The tour includes a delicious lunch cooked and served by locals, known as one of the best meals in Kerala. With flexible tour lengths and a moderate physical fitness level required, this experience promises an unforgettable glimpse into the lush, traditional way of life in the Kerala backwaters.
Read our full review: Kerala Backwater Village Kayaking Tour: Alleppey Review
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Fort Kochi Sightseeing on Tuk Tuk / Car & Backwater Kayaking
This 6-hour private tour in Kochi offers travelers an intriguing blend of sightseeing and outdoor adventure.
Guests will explore Fort Kochi by tuk-tuk or car, visiting landmarks like St. Francis Church, the Dutch/Mattancherry Palace, and the iconic Chinese fishing nets.
After a local veg or seafood lunch, the adventure continues with an evening kayaking excursion in Kadamakudy.
Here, you will navigate through fish and shrimp farms, experience the mangroves, and witness stunning sunset views.
While natural elements may occasionally obstruct kayaking routes, guides will provide alternatives.
Guests should note that weather conditions may lead to the cancellation of the kayaking activity, and short walks by canals may be required during the experience.
Read our full review: Fort Kochi Sightseeing on Tuk Tuk / Car & Backwater Kayaking Review
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Full Day Private Canoe Shikkara Combo Cruise
Participants kick off their full-day adventure with a private cruise aboard a motorized shikkara, a traditional Keralan boat.
They’ll enjoy a Kerala-style breakfast and lunch, along with hot tea or coffee and snacks.
The tour includes a canoe ride, allowing them to enjoy the village life experiences.
Safety gear and jackets are provided, ensuring a worry-free journey.
The meeting point is under the Cheepunkal Bridge in Kavanattinkara, Kumarakom, Kerala.
Pickup is available, but charges may apply beyond a 5-kilometer radius.
This private tour runs from 6 AM and isn’t wheelchair accessible, though it allows service animals and infants on laps.
Read our full review: Full Day Private Canoe Shikkara Combo Cruise Review
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Alleppey / Alappuzha Backwater Canoe (Shikara) Cruise
Embarking on a captivating journey, visitors can enjoy the serene backwaters of Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) aboard a traditional motorized canoe, or “shikara.”
This 6-hour cruise showcases the region’s stunning paddy fields, coconut palms, and local village life. Priced from €61.51 per person, the flexible experience allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Guests are transported from Cochin Port or their hotel to Alleppey, where they’ll board the boat at 10:30 AM and return by 3:15 PM.
With an overall rating of 4.7/5, this cruise offers an unforgettable glimpse into the “Venice of the East.”
Read our full review: Alleppey / Alappuzha Backwater Canoe (Shikara) Cruise Review
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Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Shikara (Shaded Canoe Boat) Day Cruise
What better way to take in Kerala’s serene backwaters than a private Kerala Backwater Shikara Day Cruise from Kochi?
This 3-hour non-AC shikara canoe ride offers an insider’s view of rural life, gliding through palm-fringed waterways, picturesque villages, and lush rice paddies.
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, though travelers should note it’s not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for those with back problems.
While lunch can be arranged, past guests have reported issues with the restaurant cleanliness.
Read our full review: Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Shikara (Shaded Canoe Boat) Day Cruise Review
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Recap
Kochi offers a range of captivating canoe and kayak experiences, from peaceful paddles through the serene Alleppey backwaters to engaging tours of the historic Fort Kochi. Whether you seek a tranquil sunrise journey or a full-day cruise, these water-based activities provide an unparalleled opportunity to take in Kerala’s picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture.