Shikara boat rides in Alleppey at a glance
A shikara is a small boat for short rides on the backwaters. Around Alappuzha, tourism rides come in three forms: shikara, motorboat and speedboat, mostly on Vembanad Lake. Rates are usually quoted by the hour and depend on how many seats the boat has. Because boats, hours and routes differ, agree the length of the ride, the route and the total price before you board.
A shikara ride suits a short window of time, and it does not replace a houseboat stay. If you want a night on the water, read the houseboat guide instead. Prices for houseboats and day cruises on this site are in Indian rupees (INR), as of 2026, and are examples.
Our picks: shikara rides
A village shikara ride, a city tour with a shikara stop and a long day that adds Marari and Fort Kochi.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Day tour through Alleppey, Marari and Fort Kochi
- Marari Beach stop
- Three-hour shikara ride
- Sadhya lunch
Twelve hours by air-conditioned car that put the beach, the backwaters and Fort Kochi into one day. Entries to the sights in the itinerary are covered.
Check availability →
Alleppey city tour with shikara ride
- Hotel pickup and return
- Local guide
- Shikara ride and entry fees
A half- or full-day tour in an air-conditioned car with a local guide. The itinerary includes Alleppey Beach and the lighthouse.
Check availability →
Shikara ride through canals and a village
- Shikara with local boatman
- Village visit
- Canal and backwater route
Three hours on the water with a local boatman who also acts as your guide. Ask before booking whether your departure time catches the sunset.
Check availability →Shikara, canoe and backwater boat trips
Small-boat rides, houseboat day cruises and village trips on the Alleppey backwaters, with live prices and availability.
Shikara, motorboat or speedboat
Three ways to go out for an hour or more.
| Boat | Where | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Shikara | Backwaters and Vembanad Lake | A small boat for a short ride; the price depends on the seats and the hours |
| Motorboat | Vembanad Lake | About 1.5 hours from Alappuzha to Pathiramanal Island |
| Speedboat | Vembanad Lake | About 30 minutes from Alappuzha to Pathiramanal Island |
| Houseboat day cruise | Backwaters | 6 hours, 11:00 to 17:00, from INR 9,000 plus GST for up to two guests (example, 2026) |
| Public ferry | Alappuzha to Kottayam | About 2 hours, roughly INR 17 to 29 |
Rainfall is lowest from December to March, which makes it the more practical stretch for short rides, but thunderstorms can still happen. Rides in the rainy months can be shortened or cancelled, so keep your plan flexible.
For most visitors who want an hour or two on the water, a shikara or a motorboat ride is the right fit. Take the houseboat day cruise if you want lunch on board and a longer route.
What to agree before you board
Five points settle most questions.
Price and hours
Rates depend on the boat and the number of seats. Agree the price for the boat or for each person, the number of hours and what happens if you want to stay longer.
Route
Agree where the ride starts and ends and where it stops. A fixed route across lake and narrow canals cannot be promised, because weather and traffic on the water change it.
Life jackets
Use a life jacket that fits and sits properly. Stay seated while the boat moves and follow the skipper's instructions.
Landing
A stop at Pathiramanal Island does not mean you can land there. Weather decides, and the island can be reached only by boat.
Children and groups
Ask about places for children and group size before you pay. Seats on the boat set the price.
Where a small boat goes
Lake, canals and an island.
Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala and part of the backwater system around Alappuzha. Shikara, motorboat and speedboat rides run on this lake. Pathiramanal Island lies in it between Thanneermukkom and Kumarakom and is a habitat for resident and migratory birds. Do not expect a particular species or a sighting every day. Read the Vembanad Lake page for the island, and the backwaters guide for Kuttanad and the narrow canals of Kainakary, where a kayak goes instead of a motorboat.
If you want to cross the backwaters rather than go out and back, the state ferry from Alappuzha to Kottayam takes about 2 hours. It leaves from the jetty opposite the KSRTC bus station, with departures spread between roughly 07:15 and 17:15. The fare is roughly INR 17 to 29, so confirm the fare and the timetable at the jetty.
Weather and the best time
Dry months are December to March.
Average rainfall at Alappuzha is 16.3 mm in January, 42.1 mm in February and 62.7 mm in March, against 592.0 mm in June and 357.4 mm in October. In rough sea or during the monsoon, boat trips can be moved or cancelled. Thunderstorms can happen in any month. Plan a spare day and read the weather page for the whole year.
Shikara boat rides: frequently asked questions
What is a shikara?
It is a small boat for short rides on the backwaters. Around Alappuzha it is offered next to motorboat and speedboat rides, mostly on Vembanad Lake.
How much does a shikara ride cost?
Rates are usually set by the hour and depend on the number of seats in the boat. Agree the price, the hours and the route before you board.
How long is the boat to Pathiramanal Island?
From Alappuzha it takes about 1.5 hours by motorboat or about 30 minutes by speedboat. A stop there does not guarantee a landing, as weather decides.
Is a shikara ride better than a houseboat?
They serve different plans. A shikara ride takes an hour or two. A houseboat day cruise lasts 6 hours with lunch, and an overnight stay lasts from noon to 09:00 the next morning.
Are the rides safe?
Use a life jacket that fits, stay seated while the boat moves and follow the skipper. In rough weather rides can be moved or cancelled, so check on the day.