Kochi, backwaters and Arabian Sea sunset cruise

An amazing way to explore Kochi’s backwaters

Also see: Travelogues from Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi Backwaters consist of a lagoon system interconnected by a labyrinth of water channels and separated from the sea by narrow estuaries. This network of lagoons and water channels is centred around Vembanad Lake and is a recognized Ramsar site of international importance.

The backwaters are best explored on boats. There are a series of options. These include small boat rides that meander through narrow channels, offering glimpses of rural life in Kochi, and luxury houseboat rides that take tourists from Kochi to Alleppey.

Our cruise consisted of a four-hour journey through the backwaters and into the Arabian Sea for sunset. It also included tea, dinner and a cultural performance.

The cruise was conducted by Nefertiti Cruise and was part of the 3-day event Wiki Conference India 2026 held at Kochi from 4 to 6 September 2026.

I, along with 125 Wikimedia volunteers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, attended the conference and had the opportunity to take a Kochi backwater and Arabian Sea sunset cruise.

The three-tiered cruise ship came in with a top open deck. The middle deck housed the dining area. The lower deck had a hall meant for entertainment shows. Before the cruise started, a mandatory safety video was played on the lower deck.

The cruise started from the Nefertiti Jetty located on the western side of Bolgatty Island. (Google map location). It sailed southward through the wide channel of Kochi backwaters with Ernakulam on the left (east) and Bolgatty Island on the right (west).

Bolgatty Island is part of the Goshree Islands. The other two main island of Goshree Islands are Vallarpadam Island and Vypin Island. Bolgatty Island lies on the east and is the innermost of the three islands. Vallarpadam Island lies at the middle and Vypin Island is the outer most island and is adjacent to the Arabian Sea.

Apart from tourist boat and cruise the backwater is criss crossed by large cargo ships and oil tankers. Local ferries and the Kochi Water Metro are also in operation connecting different regions separated by channels and lagoons.

The cruise continues southwards and sails past the High Court Water Metro Terminal (Google map location), in Ernakulam .

The water metro station is located on the left (east) side and on the right (west) are the towering cranes of the Cochin Port, located at the southern tip of the Vallarpadam Island.

The cruise sails further south towards the Cochin Oil Terminal (Google map location), hosed on a series of small islands.

The terminal consists of a net of long piers and a building located on the tip of one of the piers. The cruise traveled past the Cochin Oil Terminal and turned right and sailed westwards towards Wellingdon Island.

Willingdon Island is the largest artificial island in India, and is located south of the Goshree Islands. It was created in 1928 by the British harbor engineer Robert Bristow using dredged soil from deepening the Vembanad Lake to build a modern port.

The island is named after Lord Willingdon, the 22nd Viceroy of India. The island acts as a major commercial and defense hub, housing the Kochi Naval Base (Southern Naval Command), and the headquarters of Cochin Port Trust.

The cruise goes round the piers of the Cochin Oil Terminal and heads west towards the west cost of the Willingdon Island.

The cruise turns north and sails past the western coast of Willingdon Island and passes by Sagarika, Cochin International Ferry Terminal (Google map location).

Sagarika serves as India’s first full-fledged international cruise terminal, handling major domestic and international cruise liners. The Kochi – Laccadive cruise also operates from this terminal.

The cruise followed the west bank of Willingdon Island and continued northwards. On reaching the northern tip of the island housing the Cochin Port Trust headquarters (Google map location) it turned left and sailed westwards towards the sea mouth.

The cruise now sails west with the northern tip of Willingdon Island on the left (south) and southern part of the Vallarpadam Island on the right (north). The southern part of the Vallarpadam Island houses the Cochin Port and the skyline is dominated by the towering cranes of the port.

The Kochi backwater and Arabian Sea sunset cruise remined me of a previous ferry ride to the Elephanta Caves, which connected Gateway of India, Mumbai to the Elephanta Island.

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The Kochi backwater sea mouth is a small opening between the southern tip of the Vypin Island and the northern tip of the Kochi estuary.

This small opening allows the slat water of the sea to mix with the sweet water of the lagoon and in the process creating an unique eco-system.

The northern tip of the Kochi eastury houses the popular tourist spots of Fort Kochi (Walking tour of Fort Kochi) and Mathencherry.

Fort Kochi beach is part of the Fort Kochi region. The small beach is a favourite hangout for for both locals and tourists and is known for the Chinese fishing nets.

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These Chinese fishing nets were said to have been introduced in Kochi by the 14th century Chinese admiral and diplomat Zheng He (1371–1433/1435). He was an eunuch and between 1405 and 1433, Zheng commanded seven treasure voyages across the Indian Ocean and adjoining water bodies.

The land-based stationary Chinese fishing nets are a legacy of Zheng’s naval expeditions across the Indian Ocean.

These unique fishing nets are found only in the Kochi region of Kerala and nowhere else in India.

Several Brahminy Kites kept us company, circling above our cruise boat in large loops.

Slowly the cruise inched towards the sea mouth and the placid, calm waters of the backwaters were replaced by the waters of the rough Arabian Sea.

The boat started to roll and standing became difficult. I held on to the railing and continued clicking photos as our cruise headed into the deep sea for a sunset.

The sailing continued into the sea with the company of few cruise ships, cargo ships, oil tankers and fishing boats. The early September clouds created a dramatic sky line with the sun approaching the western horizon.

Finally we were rewarded with a spectacular sunset with a riot of colours. Sadly, no boats or ships were there in the foreground. Thus we were robbed of a spectacular sunset photo.

With the sunset the cruise took an U-turn and headed towards the sea mouth, makimg it back to the calm waters of the backwaters.

As the cruise meandered through the Kochi back waters the stage was set for a Ottanthullal dance performance.

Ottamthullal is a vibrant, satirical solo dance-drama from Kerala that combines poetry, music, and comedy.

The dance form was invented in the 18th century by the legendary Malayalam poet Kunchan Nambiar. It is said that Nambiar fell asleep while playing the drum for a traditional Chakyar Koothu show and faced mockery. He created Ottamthullal as a witty alternative. The dance mock social inequalities, human flaws, and political corruption using simple local language.

As the dance performance continued the cruise ship retraced it path back through the backwaters of Kochi.

The dance performce was follwed by a elaborate dinner buffet served at the air conditioned middle deck.

Note:

• Cruise organizers: Nefertiti Cruise
• Event: The cruise was part of the 3-day event Wiki Conference India 2026 held at Kochi from 4 to 6 September 2026.

Different types of cruises:

• Small boats: These are normally arranged by big hotels for their in-house guests. They meander through the narrow channels of the backwater providing glimpses of local life. Duration: 1 hour but can be extended
• Medium sized cruise: These venture into the large channels of the backwaters. Duration: 2 hours
• Large sized cruise: These venture through the back waters and into the sea. Duration: 4 hours
• Add-ons: The cruises usually comes in with food, music and other performances

Travel Tips:

Kochi consists of Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Ernakulam and the islands of Vypin Island, Vallarpadam, Willingdon and Bolgatty

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