Munroe Island
Munroe Island:
Tucked away between the calm waters of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River roughly 25 kilometers from Kollam city, Munroe Island (known locally as Mundrothuruthu) is an exceptionally distinct and fragile delta network. While the famous backwater hubs of Alleppey are defined by massive houseboats navigating wide channels, Munroe Island stands out as a peaceful, labyrinthine web of eight tiny islands woven together by narrow, hand-hewn canals, low-slung concrete bridges, and a deeply traditional village lifestyle.
Named in honor of Colonel John Munro, the visionary British Resident of the princely state of Travancore who oversaw land reclamation projects here in the early 19th century, the island is a fascinating geographical anomaly. Today, it serves as a serene, eco-tourism sanctuary where ancient mangrove forests, vast coconut plantations, and sustainable coir-weaving traditions exist in a delicate balance. It is also an area of intense ecological study, frequently referred to as a “sinking island” due to rising water levels and tectonic shifts, giving it a haunting, transient beauty that draws travelers looking for an authentic, untamed Kerala experience.
Top Things to See & Do Inside:
Experience the Magic of the Country Canoe Canal Cruise: The absolute crown jewel of Munroe Island is its intimate canal network, which is entirely inaccessible to motorized boats. Visitors board small, traditional wooden country canoes poled manually by local villagers. This slow-paced safari glides silently beneath dense canopies of bending coconut palms, winding past backyards where locals wash clothes, fish for pearl spot (Karimeen), and wave from the banks. The cruise offers an unhurried, front-row seat to a lifestyle that has remained unchanged for generations.
Discover the Art of Traditional Coir Weaving: For culture enthusiasts, visiting the island’s home-based coir industries is a must. You can walk into small village courtyards to see local artisans—primarily women—expertly transforming raw coconut husks into strong, golden fiber thread. Using traditional wooden spinning wheels called Ratt, they weave massive ropes and mats right outside their doorsteps. It is a brilliant display of sustainable, community-driven craftsmanship that forms the economic backbone of the delta.
Witness the Sunrise at the Kallada River Confluence: For photographers and nature lovers, an early morning trip to the point where the Kallada River empties into Ashtamudi Lake is unforgettable. As the mist lifts off the water, you can watch traditional fishermen cast cast-nets from narrow skiffs or submerge themselves to hand-harvest black clams from the riverbed. The stillness of the morning, paired with the golden light filtering through the mangroves, offers one of the most peaceful panoramas in South Kerala.
Explore the Historic Dutch Church: Located right on the scenic waterfront sits a beautiful remnant of the island’s colonial past. Built by Dutch missionaries in 1878 AD, this modest yet historic brick church blends European architectural lines with traditional Kerala tiling. The structure stands as a quiet, picturesque landmark on the water’s edge, surrounded by coconut trees and brackish canals, symbolizing the multi-layered heritage of this isolated delta.
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