8 Houseboat Stays In India

If you’re looking for a quiet time amidst the wonders of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s nothing better than a houseboat stay. You not only get to bask in the solitude of the backwaters but also get to enjoy luxurious hotel-like features. Just imagine yourself in a houseboat in the tranquil waters of a lake. Wouldn’t that be a perfect getaway for you?

When you hear the word ‘houseboat’, you might probably be thinking of the enchanting houseboats of Kerala. Just so you know, India has several other places with calming lakes where you can enjoy a peaceful and calm houseboat stay. Let’s take a look at the 8 best houseboat stays in India.

8 Best Houseboat Stays In India

  1. Kettuvallam Houseboat In Kerala
  2. Dal House Houseboat In Srinagar
  3. Houseboat Cruise In Assam
  4. .Houseboat Cruise In Goa
  5. Tarkarli Houseboat In Maharashtra
  6. Chunnambar Houseboat In Pondicherry
  7. Udupi Houseboat In Kerala
  8. Konaseema Houseboat In Andhra Pradesh

1. Kettuvallam Houseboat In Kerala

Kettuvallam houseboat can be considered an important part of Kerala’s culture and heritage. It’s a traditional houseboat and has a unique style of coir ropes that are tied together and seem to keep the structure of the boat intact. But don’t worry, this high floating structure has a high load carrying capacity.

Whether you’re seeking a short backwater trip or an overnight cruise, Kettuvallam houseboats have all the amenities you need. Right from the cozy living room, and kitchen to a balcony for fishing, you’ll experience a luxurious stay. When speaking of houseboats, Alleppey surely can’t be forgotten as it's a treasure house of almost 120 luxury houseboats. It’s absolutely unsurprising that Kerala is one of the most sought-after destinations when it comes to houseboat cruising. Kollam, Alappuzha, and Vembanad are some of the other places for you to enjoy a houseboat stay in Kerala.

Also read: Experiencing The Food In Kerala

kerala houoseboat

2. Dal Lake Houseboat In Srinagar

The famous orchard land, Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir is yet another place where you can have a luxurious houseboat stay. Speaking of houseboats in Srinagar, Dal Lake is the perfect place to rejuvenate your soul. 

You’ll find the culture of the place reflected in the structure of the houseboats when you glance at the beautiful delicate wooden carvings. These boats are also known as Shikara. Along with modern amenities in the Shikara houseboats, you get to witness the breathtakingly beautiful sunset as you pass by the floating markets in the sunset cruise here.

3. Houseboat Cruise In Assam

There’s no doubt about the fact that Assam’s tea and the River Brahmaputra have made it one of the most popular destinations in Northeast India. So it shouldn't come to you as a surprise that cruising and houseboating in Assam are some of the most enjoyed and popular activities. Now, you don’t have to debate about choosing the comfort of staying in a luxury hotel or enjoying sightseeing. The experience of staying in a houseboat in Assam will give you the pleasure of both!

One of the best things about staying in a houseboat in Assam is that you’re certainly going to see a good number of migratory birds. Let’s not forget about the luxurious amenities that come with a houseboat like stunning decor, hot tubs, kitchens, and even fireplaces. Some of the popular spots for staying in a houseboat are Navagraha Temple, Bhuvaneshwari Temple, and Majuli Island.

4. Houseboat Cruise In Goa

How would you like to go for a houseboat cruise in the Las Vegas of India? Yes, we’re talking about the perfect place that is full of beaches and boathouse centers, Goa! As opposed to the busy life on the beaches here, you’ll get to experience the calm and rustic side of Goa. How you ask? By indulging in one of the boathouse cruises of course!

The crystal clear waters of the Mandovi and Charopa rivers will make it a perfect houseboat stay for you. You can go through the different houseboat itineraries here and choose between a romantic getaway or a private boathouse. You’ll sail through some amazing fishermen’s villages, forts, coconut farms, monuments, etc. Just so you know, these boathouse stays also include several water activities and offer Goan food that will make your day!

boat house

5. Tarkarli Houseboats In Maharashtra

If you’re looking for a leisure vacation in Maharashtra, there’s nothing better than Tarkarli houseboats in the backwaters of the Karli river. Tarkarli is a small village that is famous for its beaches. You’re sure to be surrounded by serene surroundings that will give you a delightful and soothing experience. You can choose to explore the numerous beaches here on your houseboat ride or just go for a small trip to explore the backwaters.

One of the best things about the houseboats at Tarkarli is that these boats come with exclusive amenities. You’ll also get to taste the mouth-watering Malvani food here. For those wanting to indulge in some fun activities, you can enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving. Otherwise, you can just sit back and admire the view as you go sailing in the backwaters.

6. Chunnambar Houseboat In Pondicherry

There’s an impeccable houseboat experience waiting for you as you go downtown Pondicherry. You can go for a houseboat ride while admiring the creek, coconut groves, local villages, and beaches around you. What’s better than having a multi-cuisine meal with a beautiful view of the backwaters? Well, that’s exactly what you can experience at the houseboats in Pondicherry.

Speaking of the houseboats here, there’s no doubt that you’ll have a luxurious stay. If you’re seeking a romantic getaway with your loved one, you can choose to sail in the spacious luxury houseboats in Chunnambar. An interesting thing to note is that quite a few of these houseboats have a French design and decor that is sure to catch your eye.

7. Udupi Houseboat In Karnataka

The lush green surroundings, clear backwaters, and never-ending blue sky at Udupi make it a perfect destination to enjoy a houseboat ride. Being the only houseboat option in the Sawarna river, Udupi is famous for its resemblance to Kerala-style houseboats. Your houseboat ride will surely be a memorable one when you witness the merging of the Sawarna, Sita, and Gangavali at Delta Beach.

A cruise on the houseboats in Udupi lets you experience a different scenery full of rich flora and fauna, villages, coconut farms, and much more. That’s not it, all the boats here are designed to pamper you as they are well equipped with a kitchen, comfortable bedrooms, and air conditioning. You’ll forget all the chaos of the city once you experience a houseboat ride here amidst beautiful backwaters here.

houseboats

8. Konaseema Houseboat In Andhra Pradesh

The silent emerald waters at the Bay Of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh have plenty of things for you to explore. One thing is certain, the stunning scenery here can be witnessed as you take a houseboat ride in the backwaters of the Godavari river. You’ll pass by some pastoral delights like beautiful fields of banana plantations.

The houseboats here are known by their traditional name Dindi. Right from exotic bedrooms, kitchen, and delicious meals, these houseboats have everything you’ll be needing for a relaxing getaway. You’ll surely greet several kingfishers, storks, egrets, and cranes as you sail through the tributaries of Tulya and Athreya which are known as the second largest delta in India.

Witnessing nature along with enjoying a luxurious stay is only possible in a houseboat stay. If you’re seeking quiet time in nature, then you should definitely consider a houseboat stay. These were some of the best houseboats stays in India that will give you a mesmerizing holiday experience. Tempted? You should be! After all the serenity of sailing in the tranquil backwaters surely is beyond comparison.

FAQs

Which City Is Famous For Houseboat Stays In India?

Alleppey in Kerala is among the most famous cities in India for houseboats. Similarly, the houseboats of Dal Lake in Srinagar are well sought-after too.

Where Is Houseboat Found In India? 

Kerala and Srinagar are the two most popular tourist destinations for a houseboat stay. Other places for an amazing houseboat experience are Assam, Goa, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Where Is Houseboat Found In Kerala? 

Alappuzha, Kuttanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, etc are some of the places in Kerala where you can enjoy an amazing houseboat stay.

Which State Is Most Famous For Houseboats? 

Kerala is the most sought-after destination in India for a houseboat experience.

What Is Houseboat Called In Kerala? 

The traditional name of a houseboat in Kerala is Kettuvallam.

Which Country Is Famous For Houseboats?

One of the most popular nations in the world for houseboats is the Netherlands. Here you can not only choose houseboats to be your choice of accommodation on your vacation, but you can also rent houseboats as temporary accommodation along the canals of the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam.

How Many Houseboats Are In Dal Lake?

Dal lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the heart of the city and moors over 1,200 houseboats. Of these, about a hundred boats are over ten years old.

Which City Is Famous For Houseboats And Gardens?

If you want the best of both land and water, then you need to explore the city of Srinagar. Srinagar is known for its well-facilitated houseboats and the vast and lush green gardens.