21 Houseboat and Cruise Tourism Destinations in India
Cruise Tourism in India is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing sector and a new marketable product. As per the minister, India has action plan for development of cruise tourism in India and five ports have been selected to developed as cruise hubs – Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, Chennai and Kochi.
We come up with a list of places where currently boathouse, jetty and small cruise are available for boating and also for marine and wildlife safari.
Goa Cruise
Goa is one of the very few destinations in India that offers daily cruises in the evenings at Mandovi river (paradisecruises). The exotic beaches of Goa, floating casinos and luring river cruise offers the experience you never had.
Mumbai Cruise
Mumbai is the starting point of a cruise sailing to the Maldives via Kochi. Costa neoClassica will be operating cruises from Mumbai to Maldives.
Cochin Cruise
If you are looking for a luxury Cruise Vessel in Kerala, Kochi is the right place. The city has been a major seaport and strong coastline with Cruise Tourism.
Andaman Islands Cruise
Islands of Andaman are blessed with magical beauty of nature and cruise to Andaman islands is once in a lifetime experience through the crystal clear waters of sea.
Chennai Cruise
Chennai to port blair by ship is already available along with Kolkata and Vizag. Recenlty India has joined the global cruise line club and soon the company will offer cruise trip to Colombo,Maldives and Phuket.
Vizag Cruise Ship
From the Port of Visakhapatnam, one can have the luxury Cruise Shipping to Port Blair, Andaman Nicobar Islands. Vizag is one of the sea port selected for cruise tourism along with Kochi,Mangalore and Chennai.
Kolkata Ganges Cruise
Kolkata Open Ganges river cruise and also cruise in river Hooghly by Vivada Cruises. The River Ganges Heritage Cruise will offer most wonderful way to explore West Bengal.
Kolkata to Port Blair by ship service is already there along with Vizag, and Chennai.
Mangalore Cruise
Mangalore is part of the luxury cruise itinerary from Mumbai and Goa. The city is becoming a favorite tourist destination in South India for Cruise Tourism.
Sunderbans Boat Cruise
Sundarban River Cruise is a luxury boat safari in Sundarbans National Park. The only way of travelling in the park is to by boat, There are many luxurious boat cruise and houseboat for safari.
Kerala Houseboats
Houseboats in Kerala are major tourist attractions, known as Kettuvallam and made of wooden planks and coconut fiber. Kettuvallam house boats are mainly used for promoting Kerala tourism and most popular houseboat destination in India.
Kashmir Houseboats
The houseboats in Srinagar at the edges of the Dal Lake and Nageen lakes are major tourists attractions. Kashmir houseboats are made of wood and available in different sizes having a balcony, lounge, dining room and pantry.
Tarkarli Houseboat
Tarkarli village is a tourist destination in Malvan taluka and recently started houseboats service. Houseboats offer day cruise in backwaters around Tarkarli.
Brahmaputra River Cruise
The mighty Brahmaputra river is the life line of Assam and one of the world’s greatest rivers. Brahmaputra river cruise offers interesting experiences on magnificent river and wildlife.
Thekkady Boat Cruise
Periyar Lake Boat Ride at Thekkady offers two hour boating trips to Periyar river for nature and wildlife tour. Thekkady Boat cruise and Boating is arranged by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.
Chilika Lake Boating
Chilika Lake boat cruise is the famous attraction in Odisha, Kalijai Temple is located on an island in the Chilika Lake and can be reached only by boat.
Konaseema Houseboat
Konaseema is the most beautiful place of Coastal Andhra Pradesh and known as God’s Own Creation. The delta region of Konaseema is very similar to the Kerala backwaters and one of the lesser known place in India for boating, houseboat and cruise tourism.Image Source – konaseematourism
Chunnambar Boat House
Chunnambar Boat House in Pondicherry along the Cuddalore Main road is a perfect place for one day outing. Its crystal clear water offers sports, bathing and finest houseboats in the union territory.
Pichavaram Wetlands
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest at Chidambaram of Tamil Nadu is located between two prominent estuaries. The Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves are part of eco tourism festival named “Dawn Fest” by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.
Udupi Houseboat
Kerala style houseboat service inaugurated at the costal district of Udupi. Paradise Lagoon Boat House and panchajanya cruise are the first two backwater property in coastal Karnataka. Image Source – PanchajanyaCruise
Bhitarkanika Mangroves
Bhitarkanika National Park of Odisha is a separates swamp region having very rich biodiversity. The park and forest is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India and one can have boat safari for wildlife.
Varanasi to Haldia Cruise
Cruise from Varanasi to Haldia on the Ganga river via national waterways would be completed before January 2019. The 1625 km long marine journey project will have 40 stations.
Nitin Gadkari has plans for cruise tourism and exploring the possibility of connecting Asian countries through cruise tourism. National Waterways are there in India for specific routes and very soon, Cruises can start from Mumbai or Cochin and can go to Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia.
