Kumbalangi, a cluster of islands south of Kochi, was developed as India’s first model tourism village — a project that made everyday backwater life, rather than a built attraction, the reason to visit.
Life on the water
The village runs on the backwaters: Chinese fishing nets, clam and prawn farming, coir-making and canoe fishing are all part of daily life you can watch and, with local hosts, take part in. The mangrove-fringed waterways are best explored slowly by canoe with a village guide.
Visiting responsibly
Because the appeal is a living community, visit in a way that supports it — book experiences and homestays with local families, ask before photographing people at work, and keep group sizes small. It pairs naturally with a Fort Kochi day or a wider Kochi family trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kumbalangi known for?
It’s known as India’s first model tourism village — a community near Kochi where the attraction is authentic backwater village life: Chinese fishing nets, clam and prawn farming, coir-making, canoe rides through mangroves and home-cooked seafood with local families.
How do you get to Kumbalangi from Kochi?
It’s a short road trip of roughly 15 km south from central Kochi, easily done by taxi or auto as a half-day or day visit. Many travellers combine it with Fort Kochi, which is nearby.
What can you do in Kumbalangi?
Take a guided canoe trip through the mangroves, watch or try Chinese-net and clam fishing, see coir and toddy-tapping, and eat freshly cooked seafood at a homestay. Going with local hosts keeps the benefit in the village.