Coco Houseboats

 Houseboat Overview

Coco Houseboats is Backwater Cruising / Operating Company that operates in harmony with the natural environment, while providing personalized, quality Eco tours cruise through the Alleppey backwaters, Kumarakom backwaters, Kottayam backwaters, Kollam backwaters, Cochin backwaters and Kuttanad backwaters.

 Category Of Houseboats

The houseboat holiday of Kerala is increasingly becoming popular with domestic as well as international tourists. Consequently, the number of houseboats plying the backwaters of Kerala has increased dramatically. So much so that there is an urgent need to evaluate the safety and service standards of houseboats and classify them accordingly. This will be the first step towards sustaining this unique tourism product from the Kerala Government.

Gold star - Houseboats are deluxe category houseboats with less pollution.
Silver star - Houseboats are standard category houseboats with less pollution.
Green Palm - Houseboats are non mechanized, punting or electric engine houseboats without
                       pollution.

A houseboat fulfilling all the essential conditions prescribed by the Department of Tourism and another five of the ten optional conditions will be awarded the status of Gold Star / Deluxe houseboats.

Houseboat Operator fulfilling the essential conditions will be awarded the Silver Star.

Essential conditions for approval of Houseboats:
● The general construction of the houseboat should be good; the hull and valavara should be of
   good condition; flooring should be of marine plywood.
● Size of rooms in the houseboat should not be lesser than the specifications mentioned below:
● Bed rooms 80 sq. ft (minimum width - 7 ft)
● Living/ dining 80 sq. ft
● Kitchen 20 sq. ft
● Attached toilet 20 sq. ft (minimum width - 3 ft)
● Common toilet 10 sq. ft
● Passages 3 ft wide
● Bed rooms should be provided with an attached toilet. Toilets for guests should be of western
  style and should be cleanly maintained. A common toilet for the staff of the houseboat should
  also be provided.
● The kitchen must have provisions for protection from hazards by
● Using fire-proof materials
● Having at least two fire extinguishers
● Storage hold in the kitchen must be hygienic. Food materials on board should be packed
   properly and stored in a clean environment.
● Fuel storage should not be near the kitchen.
● The houseboat should have at least 2 life buoys and 2 fire buckets.
● Furniture provided in the houseboat should be of good quality.
● Clean and good quality linen and toiletries should be used. Crockery and glassware should be
   of excellent quality.
● Houseboats must maintain and regularly update log books and tourist records.
● Staff members interacting with guests should be in uniform.
● The boat should have obtained a valid license from the appropriate authority for plying in the
   backwaters.
● Name, cut number and approval number should be painted on both sides of the houseboat.

Coco Houseboats is Backwater Cruising / Operating Company that operates in harmony with the natural environment, while providing personalized, quality Eco tours cruise through the Alleppey backwaters, Kumarakom backwaters, Kottayam backwaters, Kollam backwaters, Cochin backwaters and Kuttanad backwaters.

Coco Houseboats have one / 1 bed room houseboat , two /2 bed room houseboat , 3 / bed room houseboat and family houseboats.

We cater to all ages, abilities and interests, offering access to the loveliest and often most remote areas of our beautiful places.

Owners Mr.Switen George & Mrs.Saritha Switen, who is both Karalities, shares a deep love of the natural beauty of their homeland, and a desire to share these splendors with visitors. In 2001 Mr.Switen George starts welcome the guest after working for many years in tourist destinations in Kerala. Mrs.Saritha Switen is teaching the special houseboat cooking classes on houseboats.

Coco Houseboats has since established a terrific reputation for exciting, informative, top quality service. We have been selected by major overseas operators and domestic tour operators. Their confidence reflects our record of outstanding service to their guests. We will even tailor-make a package to suit your needs and look forward to the pleasure of serving you.

 Coco Punting Boats

The slow moving Kettuvallam / Houseboats splitting the serene backwaters flanked by greenery provide an enchanting experience to any visitor. Floating in these backwaters in a country craft Kettuvallam / Houseboats to explore the unusual representation of Kerala through the intricate maze of canals conjures up a surreal existence devoid of any time sense.

Dripping and slowly rising skyward, the long bamboo pole glistens in the day's brilliant light before again plunging downward to pierce the serene waters. This hypnotic poling process propels you and your floating home farther into the sublime world of the Kerala backwaters.

This vast network of palm-fringed rivers, lakes and lagoons in southwest India sits inland from Kerala's Arabian Sea shore and comprises almost 1,200 miles of interior shoreline. Unlike the exposed coastline, these backwaters were left unscathed by the recent tsunami. In relative terms, even Kerala's coast survived the calamity extremely well compared to India's east coast, which faced the wrath of the sea head on. However, because of the headlines, Kerala, a renowned destination for travelers, is now suffering unnecessarily from a lack of visitors.

Today, jackwood Kettuvallam / Houseboats boats, once used to transport tons of rice and spices through myriad Kerala backwaters, have been converted into exotic Kettuvallam / Houseboats. Bamboo, braided palm leaves, aracanut trees and coconut-husk mats marvelously coalesce to form unique living quarters, with cozy bedrooms and working toilets.

A houseboat is a wooden long boat that has rooms for sleeping as well as kitchen and an area to sit while a man rows the boat using a long pole. During the trip you can float by many villages and saw many fishermen doing their daily things, some stopped along side the river and you were able to hop off to take a look around, see the water snakes snacking on a fish. The sunset was beautiful and it set so perfect over the palm trees along the shore, you can play card and different games with local backwater people.

Ever mindful of the environment, in some Kettuvallam / Houseboats, power is supplied by discreet solar panels hidden in the roof. The boat, almost 50 feet long, is propelled from the bow and stern by the boatmen using punting poles (an outboard motor is sometimes used on longer cruises).

With two "punters" -- drivers -- and a superb cook on board, your task is to simply sink into the comfy confines and let traditional rural Indian life pass you by. Glimpse vibrantly clothed women wandering waist-deep in verdant rice paddies, while others seemingly dance beneath the palms in the midst of their washing at the water's edge. Waking at night to see an elderly fisherman's canoe silently streaming past in the moonlight is a wonderfully surreal experience.

Kerala's backwaters also involved the most incredible rain on monsoon (June & July) , wind and lightning storm , ever experienced, the utter excitement still linger and remind me that nature's fury isn't always devastating and deadly. Sometimes it can be pure magic.

There are no fixed itineraries for Kettuvallam / Houseboats cruises. These houseboats are mainly based at Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kuttanad ,Kottayam from where one can board the same for stay and cruise for one, two or more nights, as desired.

Travel between Alleppey and Kollam, or Alleppey and Kochi, by houseboat over 24 hours but only on larger boats that have an outboard motor, punting houseboats are environmentally friendly, as peaceful. Those that are propelled by punting with two long bamboo poles obviously don't allow you to cover as much distance, but calm and a wonderfully relaxing way to travel. Traveler can choose from one / 1room houseboats, 2 / two room houseboats, 3 / Three room houseboats and 4/ four bedroom Houseboats with or without Air Conditioning. A ride on a kettuvallom (Houseboat) is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters, but only small boat can only punting by the crews.

The slow travel pace is very relaxing, and everyone is flexible about when and where you get off the boat to explore. The olden houseboats / kettuvallams do not have electricity, and lanterns provide a soft, gentle light, no every boat have every amenity.

The private Kettuvallam / Houseboats for a magical journey through the backwaters. The boats we use are very comfortable with private bedrooms and bathroom facilities. The crew will ‘punt’ the rice boat through the narrow waterways en-route to Alappuzha. This is time for total relaxation, to appreciate the enchanting scenery and watch daily life along the backwaters. Your trip passes through exquisite areas of palm trees, rice paddies and lakes. All your meals whilst onboard will be prepared by the crew using fresh local produce. Overnight on backwaters.

The smaller Kettuvallam / Houseboats are propelled by boatmen using punting poles while the larger boats have outboard motors. Luxury boats come equipped with air-conditioned rooms, large dining and living rooms and sun decks.

That you can choose as your wish as punting houseboats or mechanized houseboat for your holidays in the backwater.

 Coco Upper Deck Houseboats

 Features Of Coco Houseboats