City: Kerala
Top Things to do in Kerala
Countries
Things to do in Kerala, India: The Best Islands
Kerala (/ˈkɛrələ/), called Keralam in Malayalam (where Kerala is the adjectival form), is a state in South India on the Malabar Coast. It was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act by combining Malayalam-speaking regions. Spread over 38,863 km (15,005 sq mi), it is bordered by Karnataka to the north and northeast, Tamil Nadu to the east and south, and the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. With 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census, Kerala is the thirteenth-largest Indian state by population. It is divided into 14 districts with the capital being Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram is the largest city in the state. Malayalam is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state.
Restaurants in Kerala
1. Poovar Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,321 reviews
Reviewed By Harshshah1212 - Godhra, India
Awesome and amazing place. The sands there are golden in color having river on one side and ocean on another. Various sight seeing places are there like mangroves forest, Mother Mary statue, elephant rock, coconut island, floating restaurant, floating cottages, etc. A must visit place near Trivandrum.
2. Vypeen Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
Vypeen or Vypin Island is one of the group of islands which form the city of Kochi and Ernakulam. It is just north of Fort Kochi and easily accessed by ferry or road. It is an elongated island, about 27 km long and less than 2 km wide at its widest. It is connected to mainland Kochi by a series of bridges known as the Goshree Bridge which is about 3 km long and touches two other islands. Another way to reach the south end of Vypin Island is by a ferry. There are ferries from Fort Kochi, Bolghatty Island and Ernakulam on the mainland. All the ferries offer scenic rides on the Vembanad Lake backwaters. We crossed over on the Vypin-Fort Kochi ‘Jankar’ ferry with our car, and the crossing took barely 10 minutes, although we had to wait for about 15 minutes to board it. The drive along Vypin Island is very scenic, although it is supposed to be one of the most densely populated islands in the world. One the western side is the Arabian Sea, and on the east is the scenic backwater. Both sides are lined with pretty palm trees. There is a lighthouse and some pristine beaches lining the seaside, Cherai Beach and Kuzhupilly Beach being the most popular. There are many seaside resorts and restaurants as well on the beach front. It is worth taking a ferry trip to Vypin Island if you are visiting Kochi or Ernakulam for sight-seeing.
3. Dharmadam Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By E6994LPdavidj - Kochi (Cochin), India
Dharmadom Island located near Thalassery in Kannur has turned into favourite for tourists seeking a secluded and tranquil atmosphere. This stunning island is covered with a canopy of coconut palms and dense bushes, surrounded by rivers on three sides and the sea on the other. The place gives a brilliant view of the confluence of the Anjarakandy and Thalassery rivers.
4. Kakkathuruthu Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Backwater_Routes_HB - Kumarakom, India
A small remote island nestled in the Vembanad lake which can be reached by canoe boats.The photographic tour of the Nat Geo magazine that shows the most amazing and travel-worthy destinations in the world lists sunset at Kakkathuruthu a must see.
5. Kavvayi Islands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By PRASAD3035 - Guntur, India
The Sanctom Sanctorum – Kavvayi Island If you want to go to HEAVEN, you may please go, I would rather stay here – Mark Twain. Genesis is a small word but to me it was a big key to open an enlarged , scintillating world. One such is my maiden and evergreen voyage to Kavvayi mangrove at picturesque Payyanur village close to to Kannur city and a district in Kerala., of India. An article about KIAL [ kannur international airport ltd], has triggered a sequence, that I , myself wouldn’t believe that I could end up with an unforgettable experience and explain to you all, the most enthusiastic travellers around the globe. I wouldn’t disappoint you. The idea of exploring Coorg region of Karnataka has been on cards for some time. The dream has taken a clear shape with the opening of new airport at Kannur. Bingo !!!, Coorg/ Kodagu is suddenly ushered into my neighbourhood, which is just eighty km away from the airport. On my return , from Coorg, my exitpoint being the Kannur airport , I did have a plan for the day time exploration for Kannur. As the saying goes when God blesses, things fall in place., and they have certainly in the name of Mr. Mir Mohammad Ali, the earstwhile district collector of Kannur . I wouldn’t have descended onto this offbeat trip to Kavvayi, but for the small video conceptulised , aesthetically shot and posted in a DTPC website of Kannur., at his behest. Hitherto an unknown and obscure beauty is now on the tourist map of God’s own country. Kavvayi is a place to the eyes of beholder. Its true that the place some how has stayed out of tourist radar is a tribute to the conservators of ecological balance. Right from the word go from the earliest hours of the morning to noon, the voyage was like full fledged meditation. It has to be experienced but cannot be fully chronicled because the place is an ode to GOD. An idyllic setting with a mangrove and a virgin brown sand beach close by beckons any one every one with an eye for rare trail., and detail. Kayaking for the first time , with limited skills in such a pristine surroundings was god sent offer to me. Like an average tourist I was just counting on morning a boat ride around the island in a swift move and shove , pay and get lost., or vice versa. But this was a Piligrimage at its best. There were three brief voyages across water with two breaks to relax nerves and muscles., because of the exertion it puts on first timer. Since it was my maiden brush with kayaking., I have welcomed the breaks. A simple , small but enthusiastic walk in the healthy looking mangrove IN ONLY KNEE DEEP water was exhilarating. Then there was another voyage to a small village, close to Ezhimalai beach. I could see a few souls heading for morning chores by only mode of water transport., available there. Another walk and rest for an hour in the brown virgin beach was truly the best culmination point of the trip with sudden weather change resulting a slight drizzle. It was drizzling all through the return lap to the Jetty., giving us a perfect finish. Initial plan was to take a Govt run boat at some other entry point known as Aitti Kadavu, supposed to be the cheaper option. But good sense prevailed and on the suggestion of one of my friends , the trip to KAVVAYI has assumed a great moment in my touring experiences with KAYAKING . Entire voyage was made only possible by the most affable soul in Mr. Rahul of Kavvayi Kayaking club. It takes hell a lot effort and passion from some one like him to promote the concept of responsible tourism. His commitment to preservation of the place is complete and full. He looked like he had belonged to this place , very humble to the point of collecting little garbage carefully left over by irresponsible entities. It doesn’t surprise me that few places are close to the point destruction because of over and irresponsible travel etiquette. Though there are ample of choices for day camping , I couldn’t enjoy that part because of a congested schedule. But I recommend everyone to spend a day and leave all other aspects of routine things to the back seat . Please set aside any tendency to be fussy about amenities like missing an odd breakfast or a delayed lunch or fine tunings for the place is simply alluring. It’s a cozy place for a perceptive tourist. Here in, you are assured to a warm hand shake with nature at its best form. Plan for a day., get plenty of solitude and be a responsible tourist.
6. Willingdon Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By HarryHSR - New Delhi, India
popularly known as the Island by the locals, I used to work at the Trident Cochin which is located on this Island apart from the Taj hotel, hence lot of beautiful memories. we took the Ferry ride from Ernakulam jetty and got down on our way to Fort Kochi Nothin much to do at the Island, just walk around and enjoy the nature the roads and buildings have been quite well maintained and its a treat to walk around and explore ...
7. Ponnumthuruthu Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 75 reviews
Ponnumthuruthu is an island which is situated about 12km south of Varkala. You can board a country boat from Nedunganda and take a tour through the backwaters for about 30 minutes to reach Ponnumthuruthu. This lush island is a perfect getaway for those who seek a break from the hustle and bustle of the urban life. This island is known for the Shiva Parvathi temple, which is also called `Thuruthu kshethram’ by the natives. The temple is situated amidst thick coconut groves, which has grown over the entire stretch. The temple is more than 100 years old and the entire island is Valiyapurackal family property. The temple was in ruins for a long time but about a decade ago, it was rebuilt.Valiyapurackal family owns the island and the temple. The island is a must see, thanks to the enchanting ambience. Even the jetty at Nedunganda village from where the journey to Ponnumthuruthu starts is peculiar. It is a makeshift jetty and the walkway to the ferry is made up of coconut husk, mud and the waste from coir. A view of the island from the ferry during evening will surely soothe any nature-lover’s mind. The greenery of the island will have a distinctive glow when the evening rays of the sun caress it. The island is also a haven of different types of flora and fauna. It will surely be a bird watcher’s delight to visit the island, thanks to the cormorants, egrets and herons seen in this area. Eagles and gulls too can be found here. Various water birds too can be seen here. The mainland on the other side of Ponnumthuruthu is a coir village. There is a small coir-making unit near the ferry. Travellers can visit the unit. It is delighting to view the boats carrying husks waving through the backwaters to reach the island. Sivarathri festival Sivarathri is a major festival celebrated at the Siva Parvathi temple at Ponnumthuruthu. It is the festival that makes alive the otherwise less frequented island. Many devotees spend the night on the island during Sivarathri and the place lit with lights is an enchanting sight.
8. Bolgatty Island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By PAULSON_CHUNGATH - Angamaly, India
This is an island just near to Marine drive. Take a boat or a car. Enjoy the lush green lawns. Play foot ball/ Golf any outdoor activity with your family. Food at the hotel is lil expensive but worth the value.
9. Mulavukad Island
10. Kuruvadweep
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By thatonewhoblogs - Bengaluru, India
We went with a hope of visiting this lovely island formed by kabini river. The ride to this place was awesome ( we drove from tholpetty), through thick forests, lovely fresh coffee estates and beautiful houses decked up for th holiday season. Nearest town is kartikulam,mananthavady. Sadly now the ride to the island is shut down by the eco tourism department ,however you have bamboo rafting facility available here .all you have to do is just sit in the bamboo boat and scroll through it. The water is deep and filled with crocodiles so they provide a life jacket. Duration of the ride is 15minutes. It's worth it if your looking up for new experiences, it's open only till 4pm post which they shut down. Nice place to chill and take photos. There r plenty of hotels around the area .also they have a zip lining activity as well.
