Row, row, row your house boat

If you are planning to make an overnight stay or spend a day or two in the boat house, Bekal Boat Stay in Kerala would serve your need. Located at Nileshwaram in Kasargod district, a few kilometers away from the historical Bekal Fort, the Bekal Boat Stay has been developed by the Kerala government with private partnership. The popular Valiaparamaba backwaters in North Kerala has emerged as a most sought out tourist destination, with the boat house facility that was introduced in this region around six years back.

Speaking to City Herald, Bekal Boat Stay Managing Director Jagannath informed that the place has become a major tourist attraction over the years. Earlier, people used to come to Bekal only to visit the famous Bekal Fort, but now the people turn to this place to stay in the boat houses. The Kerala government, under Bekal Resort Development Corporation Ltd took up the initiative to develop this region by introducing boat houses. I am the lessee who has invested heavily on this development task and is satisfied over the way in which the place has been maintained, he says.

For those who wish to spend time in the backwaters, ethnic house boats “Kettuvallam” with all comforts and modern amenities will be provided on rental basis.

Cooks too are the part of the boat to prepare and serve the mouth watering Kerala style cuisine to the guests. If one considers joining her/his hand in cooking, that option too is open for the guests.

The Bekal Resort Development Corporation Ltd has maintained four fully furnished houseboats with two bedrooms each. Apart from catering to the needs of those who arrive only to relax themselves, the boats are also rented for corporate meetings, conferences, family get together and other occasions.  The option is wide open for the visitors to choose the boat and time of their choice. There are two bedrooms and single bedroom boats with 24 hours cruise, two bedrooms overnight cruise, single bed room deluxe-dinner cruise, half bedroom sunset cruise, short cruise of one hour, one night two day cruise etc. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are supplied to the guests from time to time. The rent of the boat stay starts from Rs 1,750 and reaches up to Rs 23,000. 

According to Jagannath, though good number of Indian families visit the place, it is mostly the tourists who pay heavy bucks and hire one night two day cruise. “The fare may be quite expensive, but the refreshing experience that the boat stay gives to the visitor cannot be matched to anything else. To view the sunset in this backwater, will leave a long lasting memory in the minds of the visitors. A visitor, who visits this place once, wishes to come here again. The price you pay is worth the experience,” are the words of Jagannath. He also informed that special packages are available for the students and families.

Though the ideal time to stay in the boat house is between October and May, stay during the monsoon season too would provide a whole different experience to the visitors.

How to reach?

The Bekal Boat Stay in Nileshwaram is well connected by road. Those who are travelling from Mangalore, have to travel to Nileshwaram via Kasargod, which is approximately 90 km journey. One can also travel through train and get down in Kanhangad or Nileshwaram railway station. The nearest Airport is Mangalore (110 km), followed by Calicut (150 km).