It took me seven trips to India to discover Munroe Island, a place so special I was very close to gatekeeping it.
Luckily for you, I decided to share after all, so this is a guide on how to spend 48 hours in serenity and experience Munroe Island, a true paradise in the Kollam District of Kerala.
If you are looking for a short break away from the hustle of travel in India, or just life in general, Munroe Island is the ideal place to press pause. So here is how to get to Munroe Island, where to stay, and things to do.
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If it is your first time in this region, check out my Guide to Independent Travel in Kerala.
About Munroe Island
Munroe Island is a group of 8 islets in the backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake in the Kollam District of Kerala, South India. Most people tend to head to Alleppey (Alappuzha) for their backwater experience when visiting Kerala, but due to the prolific houseboats and mass tourism, people looking for a peaceful and eco-friendly experience would probably be disappointed with Alleppey these days.
Munroe Island on the other hand, is relatively off-the-beaten-path, and very well taken care of by the 10,000 or so locals who inhabit the islands – in fact I did not see one piece of trash during my two days there.
Munroe Island, also called Munroturuttu, was named after John Munroe, a Scottish administrator of the state of Travancore (southern Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu) in the early 1800s.
Not sure what to pack for your trip to India? Check out the I Dream of Mangoes article:
How to Get to Munroe Island
The train is the best option to reach Munroe Island and there are three nearby railway stations.
Munroturuttu (walking distance)
Sathsankotta (6km plus canoe river crossing)
Kollam (25km)
I took an express train from North Kerala, so for me, the closest railway station to Munroe Island was Kollam Junction. This is 40 minutes away by pre-paid Auto from the front of the station (800rs).
If you are taking a local train, you can look for one stopping at Munroturuttu or Sathsankotta.
If you're not sure how to go about taking the train in India, check out my full Guide on Buying a Train Ticket as a Tourist in India & the Different Train Classes.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you make a purchase through this website, at no cost to you. I only link to products I use and love.
How to Visit Munroe Island (Things to Do, Where to Stay)
I chose to stay at Munroe Island Backwaters Homestay, and I am so glad that I did. Vijeesh and his family are very perceptive hosts, and their approach to hospitality is relaxed yet thoughtful. They have a cute place just a minute's walk to the water's edge, where they take you out in their canoe, kayaks, or paddle boards.
Vijeesh's mum is an excellent cook, and the meals she prepared for me were some of the best I have ever had in India. The rates are very reasonable, I paid 2000rs for an AC room with breakfast.
I arrived to Munroe Island early afternoon, and after an extraordinary banana-leaf lunch followed by a Siesta, we went out on the kayaks. We navigated through small tunnels, winding canals and expansive mangrove lakes. With the echoes of traffic noises left far behind towards Kollam, we could enjoy the sounds of the birds and Vijeesh is an excellent wildlife guide, he knows the names of all the different species. My favourites were the iridescent blue kingfishers.
We stopped at a rice paddy and caught a glimpse of the sun beginning to set over the fields, against the backdrop of farmers blowing their horns to scare away the flies from their crops. The kayak trip took 2 hours, and with Vijeesh as my very capable captain, I only rowed when I felt like it.
We arrived back to the homestay after dusk to a cold beer and another delicious home-cooked meal, all served on the rooftop chill-out zone.
The following morning Vijeesh's father took me out on his canoe for a sunrise tour of a different part of the backwaters, way out onto Ashtamudi Lake. We left at 5:45am and we were the only ones on the water for most of our 3-hour circuit.
I felt completely at peace laid back in the canoe while Vijeesh's father gently paddled the myriad of waterways and underneath the mangrove arch, stopping halfway for a riverside Chai.
After another amazing lunch, this time a traditional banana-leaf wrapped Fish Kameen served with a colourful array of pickles and chutneys, I took a walk around our island. There is a 1-hour circuit that follows a trail along the waterside, ending near Munroe Mocktail, where you can rehydrate with a delicious freshly mixed juice, whatever they're serving, mine was mango and gooseberry lemonade, for 40p.
For sunset, Vijeesh took me to the Dutch Church on the western side of the island, where we sat on the beach wall and chatted about life and such. Dusk was stunning and the perfect end to a wonderful second day on Munroe Island.
A summary of things I did in Munroe Island with prices:
2-hour Kayak Tour, 700rs
3-hour Sunrise Canoe Tour, 1200rs
Circular Walk of the Island, Free
Munroe Mocktail, 40rs
Sunset by the Dutch Church, Free
FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE for India, do what I do, and have a browse on Travel Supermarket - choosing a cheap policy with a high Defaqto rating.
How to be a Responsible Tourist on Munroe Island
Vijeesh was telling me that with the addition of the new road, and the fact that the islands are sinking, this fragile environment is changing rapidly. If you want to experience the islands as they are, then now is probably the time to go.
Munroe Island is a very special place, and as tourists, if we want to protect our wonderful natural spaces, we have to visit them with care.
If you go to Munroe Island because of my article, you have to PROMISE ME to try and do the following:
Travel by public transport if you can, the last thing Munroe Island needs is traffic
Take a reusable water bottle (Vijeesh's homestay offers unlimited filtered drinking water if you have your own bottle)
DO NOT LITTER, under any circumstance
Keep noise pollution to a minimum, do not play music from a speaker when on the backwaters or hiking as it scares away all the wildlife
'PDR' – Please don't rush, we are on 'Island Time' – so relax and enjoy the slower pace
Moving on from Munroe Island
After 48 hours of Serenity on Munroe Island, I departed via Sathsankotta Railway Station. Vijeesh's dad gave me a lift in his canoe to the other side of the river, where they had arranged an Auto to take me to the station for £2 (200rs).
It felt like a very bittersweet goodbye as I had such an amazing feeling at Munroe Island, it is a very precious place and this was a memorable experience for me. After 7 trips to India, I am still constantly surprised by this incredible country.
If you're thinking of making a visit to Munroe Island part of a wider trip, you may draw inspiration from my guide: A One-Month Itinerary for South India.
It is also worth reading my other India guides: A Pre-Departure Checklist for Travelling India & Is India Safe for Female Travellers?
Thank you for reading my post: 48 Hours of Serenity | How to Visit Munroe Island.
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Happy Travels
xx
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