Home / Day trips / Trivandrum to Poovar
Trivandrum to Poovar, door to boat
Leave the city traffic behind for the quiet Poovar backwaters. We handle the car, the driver and the boat – you just step out of your hotel.
At a glance
Half a day, nothing to arrange
Car, driver and boat in one booking – with Poovar's mangroves, estuary and golden sand beach in between.
| Distance | About 30 km from Trivandrum city |
|---|---|
| Drive time | Around 1 hour each way, via Kovalam |
| Pickup from | Your hotel or home, Thiruvananthapuram Central station, Kovalam |
| Included | Car with driver, Poovar backwater tour, drop back |
| Add-ons | Floating-restaurant lunch, Kovalam beach stop |
Suggested plan
How the day goes
- Pickup – from your hotel or the station, usually 8–9 AM, or after lunch for a golden-hour trip.
- Drive south – along the coast road past Kovalam and Vizhinjam to the boat club at Poovar.
- On the water – 1.5–2 hours through the Neyyar river, AVM canal, mangroves and the estuary.
- Beach & lunch – time on the golden sand beach, and lunch at a floating restaurant if you wish.
- Drop back – to your hotel, the station or straight to the airport.
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
How far is Poovar from Trivandrum?
About 30 km from the city centre – roughly an hour by road, a little less from Kovalam.
Can you pick up from the railway station?
Yes. We pick up from Thiruvananthapuram Central and other stations, and your bags stay in the car during the trip.
Is half a day enough?
Yes – about 4–5 hours door to door covers the drive, the backwater tour and some beach time. Add lunch for a relaxed full day.
Can we combine Poovar with Kovalam?
Yes. Kovalam is on the way, so a beach or lighthouse stop is easy to add.
Plan it on WhatsApp
Tell us where you're staying, your date and group size – we reply with a plan and price.