Home / Day trips / Kanyakumari + Poovar
Kanyakumari & Poovar in one day
Sunrise at the southern tip of India, then Kerala's quietest backwaters by afternoon – with a car and driver the whole way.
At a glance
Two coasts, one easy day
The cape at sunrise and the backwaters by afternoon, with one driver and one plan.
| Distance | About 60 km between Kanyakumari and Poovar |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Around 1.5–2 hours |
| Pickup from | Your hotel in Trivandrum or Kovalam (round trip) |
| Included | Car with driver, Poovar backwater tour, drop back |
| On the way | Suchindram temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace (closed Mondays) |
Suggested plan
How the day goes
- Early start – we pick you up from your Trivandrum or Kovalam hotel before dawn and drive about 2 hours to Kanyakumari for sunrise where three seas meet.
- Rock Memorial – the ferry to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue (check the day's ferry timings).
- Drive to Poovar – with an optional stop at Padmanabhapuram Palace or Suchindram.
- Backwaters – an afternoon tour through the mangroves, canals and estuary to the golden sand beach.
- Drop – back to your hotel in Trivandrum or Kovalam.
Times are a guide – we adjust them to your pickup point, the tide and the light on the day.
The route
Poovar points we cover
One loop links these spots. The exact order depends on the tide, your boat and the time you choose – your boatman will tell you what is best that day.
- Neyyar River
- AVM Canal
- Narrow canals
- Mangrove Forest
- Estuary
- Mother Mary Shrine
- Elephant Rock
- Fishermen Village
- Bird watching points
- Floating restaurants
- Golden sand beach
Safety & comfort
Our boats and facilities
Everything that makes a family day on the water easy – from life jackets for every guest to a place to change after the beach.
- Motor boats with roof
- Shikara with roof
- Life jacket for all passengers
- Sanitised after every trip
- All boats are Govt. certified
- All drivers have Govt. licence
- Boat club has washrooms
- Dress changing room
- Parking area
- Pickup and drop off
FAQ
Questions about this trip
Can we do Kanyakumari and Poovar in one day?
Yes. Leave Trivandrum or Kovalam before dawn for the Kanyakumari sunrise, and you reach Poovar for an afternoon or golden-hour backwater tour before heading back.
Where does the tour start?
From your hotel in Trivandrum or Kovalam – it is a round trip with an early start for the Kanyakumari sunrise.
Is Padmanabhapuram Palace open every day?
It is closed on Mondays, so on a Monday we plan a different stop on the way.
Morning or evening at Poovar?
On this route Poovar comes in the afternoon, which works well for golden light on the estuary.
Plan it on WhatsApp
Tell us where you're staying, your date and group size – we reply with a plan and price.