Must Visit 8 Best Houseboat Destinations in India
Nov 15, 2023 By Juliana Daniel

India is a land of beauty with countless majestic rivers and lakes surrounded by natural landscapes. These are worth seeing, and with houseboat tours, navigating those lands and seeing breathtaking views becomes easier. Houseboats are a famous activity all around India, especially the tourist visiting places.

Local and international visitors enjoy houseboats in these locations equally in India. Depending on your selected package, these tours offer different facilities and periods. Today, we will go through 8 best houseboat destinations in India that you must visit:

8 Best Houseboat Destinations In India

Goa: A Tourist Heaven

Goa is one of India's most famous tourist spots, as it piques the interest of the local and international community. Widely renowned for its beaches and vibrant nightlife makes it a complete package to spend holiday. The situation is similar when it comes to house boating activity.

Houseboat experience is available on River Chapora, which tourists widely approach. You can join a houseboat tour during the day or book it for an evening part with your friends' group. You will be served with local food items during the route and visit nearby coconut farms and villages.

Tarkali, Maharashtra: Luxury on Waters

Tarkali is famous for being the only houseboat destination in Maharashtra. Houseboating in Tarkali comes with enjoying a coral beach experience. The ride usually lasts an hour or two, allowing you to explore the beaches along the shore or backwaters.

During Tarkali houseboat price, many other activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, or fishing are included. The journey is fusioned with rich Malvani food, which you will savor while absorbing breathtaking views. Sunset views and dolphins squealing are the highlights of the tour.

Kerala: Backwaters Bliss

Regarding such tours, house boating in Kerala snatches the top rank among other destinations. You will enjoy the rawest form of house boating on these waters. They use traditional boats, which are called Kettuvallam. Aside from the house boating experience, staying on these cruises is another blissful experience.

These boats are built with all the facilities like rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and balconies, perfect for overnight tours. To experience house boating in these majestic built-ups, visit Alappuzha, Vembanad (Kumarakom), and Kollam. These tours last from 2 days to five days.

Srinagar: Heritage on Water

Srinage is the favorite location for the locals during the summer season, and the crowd is hustling at that time. This location offers a rich house boating experience surrounded by the Himalayas in the famous Dal Lake. Srinagar houseboats are one of a kind due to their exceptional woodwork. The carvings and details on these boats have a deeper connection with Srinagar's culture and history.

These boasts may seem old but are laced with modern features to provide comfort and luxury. The boats have a name of their own: "Shikara." A few hours of stay and floating on Shikara will give you a rich lifetime experience. Moreover, the houseboat prices are reasonable in the area that everyone can afford.

Assam: Nature's Embrace

You must have heard the name Assam regarding famous tea and the River Brahmaputra. View of Assam from a houseboat is also exquisite, along with other notable things of the area. Assam house boating experience is suggested for nature lovers because the place is rich with natural beauty.

During your tour, you will see many wildlife creatures like exotic birds, dolphins in the river and others. Tours provide many other activities as a side with house boating experience, which you can choose while booking.

Chunnambar: French Elegance

In Chunnambar, you can experience house boating on Pondicherry, which gives you a glimpse of city life. The houseboats are famous for their French designs and vibrant artwork that will take you back to 19th-century France.

It's not limited to house boating; you can customize your ride by including other facilities like exotic dinners, music, and dance crews for live performances on the boat. So, it is best to enjoy cultural fusion with the bliss of house boating.

Udupi: Cultural Sojourn

Another houseboat tour in India is Udupi, located in Karnataka. It offers you rich experiences of house boating on the waters of the Swarna River, a wonder of nature. This experience is almost identical to Kerala house boating tours because the surrounding area has that kind of architectural vibe.

You will go through many old villages, different fields, and lush green landscapes on your route. Some towns are the oldest settlements, immersing you in the area's past. People still use ancient traditions of living, which is exciting to explore. Depending on your budget and stay duration, you can add facilities to your ride.

Konaseema: Bay of Bengal Charms

This tour will offer you one of the limited house boating experiences on the Bay of Bengal because most tours are in the Arabian seaside of India. Rich vibes of the Bay of Bengal surround Konaseema and the flourishing river of Godwari.

The traditional boats available in the area are called Dindi. These boats have the perfect cliché houseboat looks you often see on television. It will allow you to ride through mesmerizing views of the area. These rides also have other water-based activities you can choose according to your interest and budget.

Final Thoughts

Each houseboat experience in India is hiding something that is waiting to be explored by enthusiastic travelers. It doesn't matter which place you choose among these eight best houseboat destinations in India; you will be supervised equally. You have various options, from the most famous ones, Goa and Srinagar, to the hidden gems of Konaseema and Udupi. You will find an equal thrill of beauty, culture, history, and nature in these locations.

For more questions or inquiries on houseboat experiences in India, head to the comment section; I'll contact you soon!