Sharavathi Backwaters

Why people come to Honnavar for this

The Sharavathi is the river that falls at Jog, and by the time it reaches Honnavar it has spread into a maze of calm channels, mangrove islands and coconut-lined banks before meeting the Arabian Sea. Seen from a small boat at water level it looks far more like Kerala than most people expect from coastal Karnataka, which is why one stretch is locally nicknamed the Kerala Spot.

Pauli's family has run boats here for years, and the jetty is a short walk from the homestay. Staying with us means you can take the first boat of the morning or the last one of the evening without driving anywhere.

Routes and what each ride covers

Which stretches you see depends on how long you go out for. The boatmen adjust the route to the tide and the light.

• Kerala Spot: narrow coconut-fringed channels, the most photographed stop.
• Mangrove tunnel: a green canopy channel near the Kandla mangrove boardwalk where the boat slides under overhanging branches.
• Lotus Point: still water with seasonal lotus and lilies, best in the cooler months and at sunrise.
• Sunset stretch: open water facing west, where the evening rides finish.
• The estuary: the river widening towards the sea, with kingfishers, egrets and gull flocks.

Prices, timings and booking

Boating rates in Honnavar are fixed by the district water sports committee and are the same for every licensed operator: ₹1,500 per private boat for a one-hour ride and ₹2,500 for two hours. That is per boat, not per person. The one-hour boat takes up to four guests, and larger boats for eight to ten people run on the two-hour ride.

Rides run daily from around 6:00 AM to sunset, around 6:30 PM. Sunrise and sunset slots go first, so tell us a day ahead, especially on weekends. There is no advance payment; you pay at the jetty by UPI or cash. If wind or rain makes it unsafe, the ride is rescheduled at no charge. Life jackets are provided for everyone, including children.

Stay at the homestay with boating Full boating price list on Pauli's Boating Best time of year for the backwaters

Best season

October to May brings calm water and clear skies. December and January are the busiest weeks. In April and May take the earliest or the last slot to avoid the midday heat. From June to September the river runs high and boats go out only when it is safe, so message before planning a monsoon ride.

What to carry

A hat, sunscreen and drinking water, since there is little shade on open water. A light jacket helps on winter sunrise rides. Keep phones in a pouch if you are going in the monsoon months.