Kerala backwaters and beach area

http://www.kavvayibeachhouse.com/?p=550

https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/kavvayi-backwater-payyanur/376

https://www.vretreat.in/

You can stay on a beach in the heart of the northern backwaters and not have even think about a crowd.

Hello thrive, why did Varkala and Kovalam not appeal to you?
How did you get from Ezhara Beach to Alleppey?
Thank you!

Wow Thank you for all this information! I’m curious how you seem to know so much about many parts of India.

Indophile.

Thank you for your input! Which homestay do you recommend? Which beaches in Kannur did you enjoy most?

Blue Mermaid, Thottada Beach, about 10 km south of Kannur...

Apparently there are backwaters near Kannur (see lifesupport's post above). We were focused on beach-time and since we had already planned to go to Alleppey and Kollam we didn't ask about it. We certainly noticed more than one river entering the ocean and there was plenty of greenery and palm groves. I guess we just weren't looking for actual boat tours at the time.

Was Alleppey Beach supercrowded?

It wasn't when we were there. We were not the only people there either. It was mostly locals and Indian tourists. I think there was only one other foreign tourist. There is an expensive resort right on the beach and maybe others I didn't notice. It is a lovely beach and fairly long. The people we saw were mostly gathered in front of the resort. We just went a little bit north and were practically alone. One caveat, the beach smelled like sewage and that is why we didn't go into the water. I mentioned that in a post awhile back and others said they didn't notice the smell. So it may have been just our bad luck that day. Although, we liked the beaches around Kannur better.

Did you like the Venice castle homestay?

Yes, yes yes! The rooms were comfortable and clean with private bathroom and the option of air-con or not. The family was gracious, friendly and helpful. The Keralan breakfasts were delicious. Like I said, it is down a side road, more like an alleyway, which made it quiet. The front lawn and garden is nice and they even had a croquet lawn set up. I played the owners brother and he beat me soundly. There is a very small temple next door where we could watch ceremonies.

And you preferred Kollam over Alleppey for backwaters?

That is a hard one. It think the Kollam experience was more intimate than Alleppey and that is why I liked it so much. But, the Alleppey experience was broader, more villages, canal side, shack style restaurants, more to see in general. In terms of sheer beauty, they were equal. If you want the converted rice barge experience, Alleppey was the center of that. Just remember that the barges cannot fit down the smaller canals and that is where the magic was for us.

Do you have to pick only one place for backwaters and beach? If so, I be tempted to try Kannur. Although, I can't personally vouch for the backwaters, the beach and other attractions were my favorite in Kerala. If the backwaters are comparable to Alleppey/Kollam it would be the best of everything.

I didn't like Varkala and Kovalam because they were crowded and more of a Khao San Road ambience.

This is so helpful. Thank you! I prefer to pick a beach homebase and explore the backwaters and other areas from there. This is because my Experience has always been that it becomes exhausting moving from lodging and city to lodging and city. I’m also more of an explore from a homebase kind of traveler.
How did you get from Kannur to Alleppey area?

How did you get from Kannur to Alleppey area?

We took the train to Kochi. But, we stopped in Kozhikode for a couple of days. It was 1.5 to 2 hours from Kannur to Kozhikode and then from there to Kochi was about another 4.5 hours. We then hired a car and driver from Fort Kochi to Alleppey, which was about 1 hour. We prefer the train over buses whenever feasible.

We talked to a couple that had used Fort Kochi as a base for backwater excursions that they enjoyed. I really liked Fort Kochi and we stayed longer there than originally intended as well. But, there is no beach good for swimming. It would be a shame to not spend at least a day there, maybe coming from Alleppey. But, I think it is really worth more than a day-trip.

I just checked our journal and the beach we went to was called Omanapuzha Beach. It is a bit north of Alappuzha Beach and prettier we thought.

Thank you for all the info! How did you find private cars and drivers? Would you say trains and private drivers are the most comfortable ways to travel?

Where is the train station in kochi? I see that the railway station at Cochin harbor terminus was closed. Was Ernakulam junction the closest train station to kochi and is that where you got off? I’m trying to figure out how and where to catch the train from kochi to Trivandrum.