Nelson 
Kollam offers two extraordinary backwater experiences, and choosing between them genuinely depends on the traveller. Located at the southern tip of Kerala, Kollam is situated right next to Ashtamudi Lake, which has one of the highest concentrations of biodiversity in Kerala and is therefore quite stunning.
The other option is the completely different backwater experience at Munroe Island (floating in the Kallada and Ashtamudi rivers), which provides a contrast to the wide-open water of Ashtamudi Lake. Both options provide unique but equally breathtaking views; thus, understanding what each location offers before travelling will help determine the best option for a visitor’s individual travel preference.
What Munroe Island offers?
The Munroe Island backwater experience is a very personal and authentic way to see living rural culture in action. Munroe Island is made up of eight small islands located where the Kallada River meets the Ashtamudi Lake and enjoys incredible natural beauty. The experience is best suited for people who prefer interacting with their surroundings while engaging in slow, rural lifestyles while travelling.
Some of the activities observed during a canoe ride are coir production, Chinese fishing nets used to catch fish, and local people gathering coconuts. Travellers seeking an authentic experience can enjoy Munroe Island as a travel destination.
The Munroe Island canoe experience
The early morning canoe ride through Munroe Island’s narrow waterways is the single finest activity the island offers. Mist sits low over the channels at dawn as kingfishers and egrets move through the surrounding vegetation. The silence broken only by paddle strokes and birdsong creates a meditative quality that most visitors find unexpectedly moving.
Local boatmen navigate the narrow mangrove passages with a practised ease developed across decades. This experience is impossible to replicate on Ashtamudi’s open and considerably wider water expanse.
What Ashtamudi Lake offers?
Ashtamudi Lake delivers a completely different and equally compelling backwater experience built around scale and openness. This palm-fringed lake stretches across approximately 61 square kilometres, making it Kerala’s second-largest lake after Vembanad.
Houseboat cruises here offer a comfortable and leisurely exploration of a wide, sparkling water landscape dotted with fishing boats. The sunset across Ashtamudi’s open expanse is one of Kerala’s most spectacular natural light shows available to visitors. Ashtamudi suits travellers who prefer comfort, open views, and a more relaxed pace throughout.
The Ashtamudi houseboat experience
An overnight stay in an Ashtamudi Lake houseboat provides a high level of luxury with a uniqueness that is hard to replicate anywhere else. Houseboats are comfortable with private sleeping accommodation, a sun terrace, and kitchen facilities. The gentle, slow movement of the houseboats operating on Ashtamudi Lake allows guests to enjoy some spectacular views and deliciously prepared meals made from locally harvested fish and coconut.
The unforgettable experience of awaking to a mist-covered lake while enjoying a cup of tea will remain with first-time guests for a lifetime. Ashtamudi Houseboats are ideal for families and anyone else who enjoys comfort in combination with natural beauty.
Which one suits you better – Munroe Island or Ashtamudi Lake?
The choice between Munroe Island and Ashtamudi ultimately comes down to a single, simple question. Munroe Island suits visitors wanting cultural immersion, wildlife, narrow waterways, and a genuine village atmosphere throughout. Ashtamudi suits visitors seeking scenic beauty, comfortable houseboats, and a more relaxed and spacious experience overall.
Adventure and nature travellers consistently prefer Munroe Island without hesitation. Leisure and romance-seeking travellers almost always gravitate toward Ashtamudi’s houseboat circuit equally consistently.
Planning your Kollam visit
The best way to assist with all of your waterway activities while in Kollam is to carefully select a starting point for your visit. When searching for hotels in Kollam, look for hotels that are located near the Ashtamudi Lake waterfront. Many boat operators that operate on the lake offer tours of Munroe Island, located within close range of hotels on the waterfront.
It is generally easier to get to different locations on Munroe Island from these central properties by boat or by car. It is extremely important to reserve both your hotel and your boat experience during the busy travel season of October to March, so that you can guarantee availability, since all waterfront hotels and quality houseboats fill quickly during this time frame.
The bottom line
While Munroe Island provides a private experience of backwater recreation, Ashtamudi Lake provides beautiful open-water views and luxurious houseboat accommodations with all the comforts of home. Both experiences make for truly unforgettable moments in their own separate ways.
Individuals who choose to stay for two nights should do everything they can to experience both Munroe Island and Ashtamudi Lake and see for themselves the many valuable aspects of Kollam’s backwater.
