Planning a peaceful Kerala backwater escape? Munroe Island in Kollam offers a quieter, more personal experience far from crowded tourist routes.
Quick Travel Info
- Location: Kollam district, Kerala
- Nearest railway station: Munroturuthu (mainland)
- Best time to visit: October to March
- Canoe ride duration: 1–3 hours (depending on route)
- Ideal trip length: Day trip or overnight stay
- Travel style: Village life + peaceful backwaters
Most travellers picture Kerala’s backwaters as houseboats drifting through wide canals. But Munroe Island offers something quieter and more personal. Hidden in Kollam district, this peaceful network of waterways, villages, and canoe routes reveals a slower side of Kerala that many visitors never see.
Munroe Island or Alleppey – Which Backwater Experience Suits You?
Let me be honest. Alleppey is wonderful for what it is. Travellers seeking modern comforts, spacious houseboats, and resort amenities often prefer Alleppey. On the other hand, Munroe Island appeals to those seeking quieter village experiences, slower travel, and a more personal connection with the backwaters.
Houseboats cannot enter here. The canals are too shallow, too narrow. That means the only way to explore is by a Munroe Island canoe ride – or for the more adventurous, a kayak. You sit low on the water, almost at eye level with the banks. You pass under small footbridges. You may see women washing clothes on stone steps, or men mending fishing nets in the shade.
Most canoe and kayak routes feel calmer and quieter than larger backwater boat experiences. There is very little engine noise. Just the soft splash of a paddle and the occasional call of a kingfisher.
This is a different kind of backwater experience — quieter, slower, and closer to village life.
Exploring Munroe Island – Canoes, Kayaks and Village Life
You arrive at the mainland jetty, where local ferries connect to the island throughout the day. Once there, the real experience begins.
You can explore Munroe Island either by traditional canoe or by kayak. A canoe ride lets you relax while a local guide paddles through the narrow waterways and shares stories of village life. Kayaking offers a more active experience, allowing you to move quietly through the canals at your own pace.
The best routes glide deep into mangrove stretches where the water turns dark and still, and coconut palms lean overhead to form a green tunnel. Along the way, you may pass coir-making sheds, small temples, and peaceful village scenes that make Munroe Island feel wonderfully untouched.
Most canoe or kayak rides last around one to one and a half hours. Afterwards, take some time to walk through the village and watch everyday life unfold beside the backwaters.
When the Place Feels Most Magical
Early morning. No question about it.
Sunrise on Munroe Island is worth waking up for. Mist rests low over the water, and the light turns soft and golden. Birds become active — cormorants drying their wings, egrets standing still, and kingfishers diving like flashes of blue. It is also the perfect time for kayaking, when the water is calm and the air still cool.
Late afternoon has its own charm, with beautiful golden light across the canals. But mornings are quieter. Fewer people. Cooler air. That is when Munroe Island feels as though it belongs only to you.
The best time to visit Munroe Island is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for canoe or kayak rides. Monsoon season paints everything emerald green, though heavy rain can sometimes affect water conditions. Summer is warmer, but an early start still makes the experience enjoyable.
What You Will Not Find Here, and Why That Is Good
No shopping arcades. No multi-cuisine restaurants. No spas. No nightlife.
What you will find instead are small local shops selling village essentials, fresh spices, coconut oil, and everyday goods. You may also come across handmade coir products — mats, ropes, and brushes crafted from coconut fibre, a traditional part of island life.
But Munroe Island is not a place built around shopping. People come here for peaceful canoe and kayak rides, lush greenery, birdlife, and the gentle rhythm of village life. If you happen to take home a coir mat or a packet of fresh spices, think of it as a meaningful souvenir rather than a shopping experience.
Some travellers prefer more commercial comforts, and destinations like Alleppey may suit them better. Munroe Island offers something different — quieter surroundings, slower travel, and a closer connection to nature.
If fewer crowds and simpler surroundings sound refreshing, Munroe Island may be exactly your kind of place.
A Few Things to Keep in Your Bag
- Carry drinking water. You will not find stalls on the canals.
- Keep your phone or camera in a zip‑lock bag. Canoes and kayaks are stable, but splashes happen.
- Wear clothes that dry fast. Sandals that can get wet.
- Bring some cash for convenience. While digital payments may be available at some places, smaller shops and local services may still prefer cash.
Where to Stay If You Want to Sleep Here
You can visit Munroe Island as a day trip from Kollam or even Trivandrum. But staying overnight is a completely different experience.
A few homestays have opened on the island. They are basic but clean. The hosts are often canoe or kayak guides or their families. You eat what they eat — rice, fish curry, thoran, and maybe a fried catch from the morning’s trip.
The best part is the evening. After the last ferry leaves, the island goes silent. You can walk down to the water and watch the stars come out over Ashtamudi Lake. No lights. No noise. Just the soft lapping of water.
How to Reach Munroe Island
Getting to Munroe Island is simple. Here are your options:
- By Road – The island is about 25 km from Kollam, 80 km from Trivandrum, and 140 km from Kochi. Well‑connected roads make a Kerala taxi Service or self-driving easy.
- By Rail – Munroturuthu Railway Station is the nearest stop (on the mainland, about 1 km from the jetty). Kollam Junction has more train options and is 25 km away.
- By Air – Trivandrum International Airport is the closest, about 80 km from Munroe Island. Cochin International Airport is another option, roughly 140 km away.
Private taxi travel offers the most flexibility, especially if you plan to combine Munroe Island with nearby places like Kollam, Jatayu Earth’s Centre, or Thenmala. You can set your own pace, avoid waiting for ferries, and travel in comfort.
Other Things to Do Near Munroe Island
Munroe Island itself is small and slow‑paced, which is exactly its charm. But the area around it has several worthwhile places you can easily add to your trip. Each offers something different – from wide backwaters to forest trails to a giant bird sculpture. Here are the best ones.
Ashtamudi Lake – The Broader Backwater View
Right next to Munroe Island lies Ashtamudi Lake, one of Kerala’s largest backwater lakes. While Munroe Island gives you narrow canals and village intimacy, Ashtamudi opens up into wide, shimmering waters. You can hire a larger boat here and spend an hour or two watching houseboats drift by, spotting more birdlife, and simply enjoying the expanse. It is a nice contrast to the quiet canoe or kayak ride.
Sambranikodi Island – Sunset Spot with Fewer Crowds
Just a short drive away, Sambranikodi Island is another peaceful stretch of land surrounded by water. It is even quieter than Munroe Island. Locals come here for evening walks and sunsets. The sky turns orange and pink over the backwaters, and you will hardly hear any traffic. If you want a second day of calm, this is a good choice.
Kollam Beach – A Coastal Break
Sometimes you need a break from backwaters. Kollam Beach is about twenty‑five kilometres from Munroe Island. It is a typical Kerala beach – dark sand, fishing boats pulled ashore, and a few food stalls selling fried fish and chai. Not a swimming paradise, but a lovely spot to stretch your legs, watch the waves, and feel the sea breeze.
Thenmala – Eco‑Tourism and Forest Trails
About an hour’s drive from Munroe Island, Thenmala is India’s first planned eco‑tourism destination. You can walk across a hanging bridge, hike through forest paths, try a small rope course, or just sit by the reservoir. It is very different from the backwaters – green, hilly, and active. A good option if you want a bit of adventure and nature combined.
Jatayu Earth’s Centre – Giant Bird and Great Views
This place is hard to miss. A massive sculpture of Jatayu, the mythical bird from the Ramayana, sits on a hilltop. You can take a cable car up, walk through the museum, or try rock climbing and zip‑lining. The views of the surrounding hills and villages are stunning. It is around forty kilometres from Munroe Island, so combining both in one day is possible with a private taxi.
You can easily spend two or three days moving between these places. Let Munroe Island be your calm, slow day in the middle – the rest can be whatever mix of water, forest, beach, and sculpture you prefer.
So, Is Munroe Island Worth Your Time?
Here is my honest answer.
If you prefer modern comforts and wide waterways, Alleppey or Kumarakom may suit you better. But if you want to feel what it is like to live on the water — to move slowly, to paddle your own kayak or glide in a canoe, to see people smile without expecting anything in return, to hear birds and paddles more than engines — then come to this hidden backwater paradise in Kollam.
Munroe Island does not shout. It whispers. And in a world that is constantly shouting, that whisper feels like a gift.
Go early. Go with an open mind. Leave your expectations of fancy things behind. The backwaters will take care of the rest.
