Munroe Island: An Ultimate Travel Guide For Water Tour!

Munroe Island is gradually becoming prevalent among younger individuals, cheers to those Instagram reels of its astounding backwaters. It is an extremely underrated and not discovered tourist destination in Kerala, known for its backwaters such as Alleppey but without the crowds. Munroe Island is an ideal location for you to rejuvenate your energy levels. After Colonel John Munroe, this Island was called, the 1800 Dewan of the Kingdom of Travancore. This amazing island is situated nearby proximity to the Allepey backwaters. 

The location is popular and surreal for the canoe rides which take you through the backwaters. Munroe Island also known as Mundrothuruthu has a maximum complete stretch of simply 14 km square and is situated at the confluence of the Kollada River and Ashtamudi Lake, in Kollam. Companions from across the globe come here tempted by the tranquillity, however, this attractiveness continued unidentified to most Indians.

In this tiny piece of the isle, there are different hidden gems and you should not miss any of them. Munroe Island is well-known for its laidback prices and its wonderful experience. And if you want to witness this exceptional location, here is your guide to Munroe Island Tourism.   

Location 

Munroe Island actually contains 8 small islets that are situated at the confluence of Ashtamundi Lake and Kallada River in the Kollam district of Kerala. The closest town is Kollam. This astounding island is positioned nearly 27 km from Kollam and is called after Colonel Munroe, the British Resident of former Travancore State.

 

Climatic Conditions

This astounding island can be visited throughout the whole year. However, the location is far more picturesque and calmer throughout the post-monsoon months. It is the ideal duration to discover this astounding location, largely enclosed by a dense canopy of trees.

Throughout the summer, although the temperature goes as high as 30-35 degrees Celsius, the climatic conditions are relatively less humid, therefore making Summer a perfect duration too. Throughout the rains, the canoeing still endures its service by delivering visitors with an umbrella.  

Best Time to visit Munroe Island

To visit, the best time is throughout the dry period from November to March. Summer starts in April and exploration in the hot and humid weather become very problematic and exhausting. Throughout the monsoon season from July to September prices drip and nature is at its best, but there may be submerging of these canals and low-lying locations. If you want to witness the Kalladi River race, visit throughout September-October when it takes location.

Top attractions on Munroe Island

The best manner to discover the island and its secret locations is with your own vehicle. Two-wheelers and rental cars are accessible around Kollam. So, make sure you get one for yourself around those locations, as no rental services are accessible on Munroe Island. 

Canoe Tour to the Mangrove Arch

Munroe Island is better known for canoeing via identical arches. Canoeing around the Ashtamudi Lake waters is very quiet and soothing. The picturesque waters and ambient noises from nature put our thoughts at peace, and you nearly felt like you were contemplating. Canoeing here is a fascinating experience.

Additionally, if you ride throughout the golden hours, you will find different mere species of migratory eagles and birds. Perfectly, you must visit for the ride during the sunset or sunrise as the scenery is far more astounding throughout those hours. In addition, the location can get jam-packed on weekends and holidays, so try to do this amazing activity on a weekday. 

S-curve viewpoint or Munroe Viewpoint

It is a great place to hang out during the morning and evening. This is an amazing S-shaped that splits the beautiful lake from the backwaters. Different boats can be found here and you can come here to select boating or canoe services. This site is also popular for its scenes of sunrises and sunsets. 

AD 1878 Dutch Church

The Dutch Church is one of the old churches on Munroe Island. The church was constructed in 1878 by the Dutch. The red brick church on the picturesque banks of Lake Ashtamudi is a mixture of Dutch-Kerala architecture.

With the assistance of the Hindu population residing around the area, the annual church festival is conducted. Across Munroe Island, it is a great example of the communal harmony prevailing in God’s own Country. 

Sunrise from the Ashtamudi Lake

This is a prime and an individual reason for Munroe’s growing popularity, the reason why visitors are making the effort to come to this tiny Kerala village without much eases: the activity of boating is done through the canals.

Munroe Island has this network of interlinked canals that crisscross through the village before opening into the wide Ashtamundi Lake. For a boat ride, the best time is throughout the sunset and sunrise when the sky becomes filled with amazing colors that make the experience even more fascinating. 

John Munroe Bungalow or Museum

John Munroe Bungalow or Museum is one of the oldest bungalows on Munroe Island. It is a nearly 200-year bungalow belonging to the resident Colonel John Munroe and has been modified into a slight museum. There is a local caretaker who is pleased to show individual rounds. 

Perumon Railway Bridge

It is an ideal place for nature lovers, and a picture-perfect evening at the Perumon railway bridge around the straggling Ashtamudi late at Kollam, Kerala. When the sun is about to set, the lake deceits serene, calm, and unhurried, the water and sky gold and blue, reflecting the last leftovers of the setting sun, and was a cool breeze lashing across publicizing the arrival of the night. The image grasped all the beauty and essence of the Kerala backwaters. 

Raghu Munroe Art Gallery

It is a fascinating place on Munroe Island. It is a pretty good place to be visited where you can conveniently walk across and discover. We would suggest you visit this place at least once on Munroe Island to appreciate its attractiveness of the place. 

Munroe Mocktail

It is an excellent place for those who love mocktails. Munroe Mocktail is a pretty good place for mocktails which is situated at Thoompum Mukham, close to Canara Bank – Munroe Island, Kerala. You will be surprised by the taste and the diversity of spices, fruits, and components of this fascinating mocktail. 

How to Reach Munroe Island? 

Munroe Island is positioned just north side of Varkala and hence makes a convenient stop across between Varkala and Alleppey. The closest city is Kollam from where most individuals rent a taxi. If you are on a budget or love picturesque train journeys, you can also take the train. The train station is named Monroturuttu. In both cases, the trip takes nearly 20 minutes.

Between Kollam and Munroturruttu there are nearly 4 trains during the morning and 3 trains during the evening. There are also straight trains between Munroturruttu and Alleppey taking nearly 2 hours. There is a regular train during the morning and one during the evening.

• By Road: If you wish to discover the country life down south, then scheduling a road trip to Munroe Island is an inordinate idea. You can read here via national and state highways while observing village life and captivating sights way to Munroe Island. 
• By Air: Trivandrum Airport is where you must dismiss your air journey to arrive at Munroe Island. Flights by all local airlines likewise IndiGo, SpiceJet, AirIndia, GoAir, and Vistaraarrive here therefore you can schedule an air journey from anywhere around India without disturbing the accessibility of flights. From the airport, one has to refuge another 80km by a rental taxi or local bus to arrive at Munroe Island.  
• By Rail: Kollam Junction railway station is the closest to Munroe Island. From all parts of the country, trains reach here. 

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Food and Accommodation 

There are different resorts and homestays accessible on Munroe Island such as Mariyalayam Munroe Island Residency and Green Chromide Munroe Homestays. There are a few more resorts that offer day packages on a 2D / 1N basis with food, canoeing, accommodation, and pick-up and drop from Kollam. Although, we extremely suggest staying in a homestay here and Vijeesh’s Munroe backwaters homestay is one of the finest. The rooms of this homestay are clean and contented, the food is home-cooked by his beautiful mother with lots of traditional Kerala dishes. 

Additionally, there are different restaurants scattered around the Island such as Jai Jawan Family Restaurant. The food was great and cost-effective. If you are seeking for refreshments such as snacks, cool drinks, and water, you can find them in approximately all shops. 

Things to remember while visiting Munroe Island

• Camera 
• Power Bank
• Phone Charger
• Antibiotics 
• Extra pair of shoes or slippers
• Handwash
• Body wash 
• And other necessary things

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