Munroe Island - Backwater Canoe Cruise in Kollam

Kollam, KeralaISLAND

A quiet network of islands in Kollam's backwaters, known for its narrow canal canoe cruises and traditional village life.

iHighlights

Info

ISLAND

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Munroe Island, or Mundrothuruthu, is an inland island group located at the confluence of the Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. It's a cluster of eight small islands, separated by a network of narrow, man-made canals. A visit here is centered around exploring these waterways on a traditional country boat or canoe. As you glide through the water, you pass under low-hanging stone bridges and witness the daily life of the island's residents up close. The landscape is dominated by dense coconut groves, spice farms growing pepper and nutmeg, and lush greenery.

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Location & Address

Munroe Island, Kollam, Kerala 691502, Ashtamudi Backwaters, Kollam, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Munroe Island is from October to March. During these months, the weather is pleasant with lower humidity and comfortable temperatures, perfect for canoe tours. The monsoon season, from June to September, brings heavy rainfall which makes the island incredibly green and lush, but boat tours can be disrupted. The summer months of April and May are very hot and humid, which can be uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
Peak Crowd: December to January, due to the peak tourist season in Kerala and pleasant weather.
Moderate Crowd: October-November and February-March, when the weather is still good but crowds are slightly thinner.
Low Crowd: April to September, covering the hot summer and heavy monsoon seasons.

How to Reach

Air

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) is the nearest airport, located about 84 km away. It takes approximately 2.5-3 hours to reach Munroe Island by taxi.

Train

The island has its own railway station, Mundrothuruthu (MRO), which is connected by local passenger trains from Kollam. The major railway station is Kollam Junction (QLN), about 25 km away, which is well-connected to all major Indian cities.

Road

Munroe Island is accessible by road from Kollam city, which is about 25 km away. You can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw from Kollam to reach the island or the ferry points. Kollam is well-connected by national highways to major cities in Kerala.

Local Transport

From Kollam city, auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available. To get around the island itself, the main forms of transport are local ferries, canoes, and walking. Some parts are connected by bridges accessible to small vehicles.