Kerala Houseboats Too Expensive? 7 Budget-Friendly Waterfront Escapes Across India To Explore

For years, Kerala’s backwaters have sold us this dreamiest of dreams that look like this: waking up on a floating houseboat, sipping chai on the deck and drifting past endless coconut groves. It’s idyllic, no doubt. But it’s also expensive. A private overnight houseboat in Alleppey or Kumarakom can easily cost anywhere between ₹8,000 and ₹20,000 during peak season. If you’re after the feeling rather than the bragging rights, there’s another way to do it. Here are seven affordable options in India that offer the same dream landscape! 

Love Kerala’s Backwaters? Check Out These 7 Affordable Alternatives

1. Chilika Lake, Odisha

Starting price: ₹300-₹500 per person for a shared boat ride

If Kerala has houseboats, Odisha has dolphins.

Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, stretching across more than 1,000 square kilometres. Most visitors arrive at Satapada, hop onto a shared boat and head out in search of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. Spotting one isn’t guaranteed, but that’s part of the magic here. Along the way, you’ll pass tiny fishing settlements, quiet islands and, if you’re visiting between November and February, thousands of migratory birds that turn the lake into one of India’s finest birdwatching destinations.

Also Read: Did You Know Kerala Will Revive Waterways Once Travelled By Ibn Battuta & Swami Vivekananda?

2. Pulicat Lake, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu

Starting price: ₹300-₹600 per person

Spread across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, this is India’s second-largest brackish water lagoon! Flamingos come here every winter, painting parts of the shoreline in soft shades of pink, while local fishermen continue traditions that have existed for generations. Boat rides are simple, unpretentious and refreshingly free of crowds. 

Sometimes, that’s the luxury.

Also Read: Love Japan’s Sakura? These 8 Places In India Offer The Same Pink Paradise

3. Sundarbans, West Bengal

Starting price: ₹1,500-₹2,500 per person for a shared day tour

Few boat rides in India come with this much suspense! 

The Sundarbans aren’t just another scenic destination; they’re the world’s largest mangrove forest and home to the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Every shared boat safari winds through narrow tidal creeks where every bend feels oh-so-unpredictable. You may spot crocodiles basking in the sun, colourful kingfishers darting across the water or spotted deer grazing along the banks. And yes, everyone quietly hopes for a glimpse of the tiger, even though sightings are rare.

Unlike Kerala’s leisurely houseboat holidays, this is a day on the water that keeps you alert from beginning to end.

4. Majuli Island, Assam

Starting price: ₹20-₹50 for a government ferry

Sometimes the journey is the destination.

Before you even step onto Majuli, you’ll board a government ferry that crosses the mighty Brahmaputra for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. That crossing alone is worth the trip. As the river stretches endlessly around you, the scale of Assam begins to sink in.

5. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh

Starting price: Around ₹300-₹500 per boat

Wedged between the Krishna and Godavari rivers, Kolleru is one of India’s largest freshwater lakes, yet it remains very overlooked. Considering how gorgeous it is, it might be criminal how underrated it is. 

Birdwatchers know it well, but casual tourists often don’t.

Instead of commercial cruises, visitors usually hire local fishing boats to explore the wetlands. During the migratory season, pelicans, painted storks, herons and countless other birds transform the lake into a living wildlife documentary. If your ideal vacation involves trading noisy crowds for birdsong, Kolleru is all yours. 

Also Read: Just 1 Hr Away From Thiruvananthapuram, Poovar Is Kerala’s Hidden Paradise With Mangroves & Backwaters

6. Deepor Beel, Assam

Starting price: Around ₹300-₹500 per boat

Just outside Guwahati sits a Ramsar-listed wetland that escapes the attention it deserves! 

Deepor Beel isn’t dramatic in the conventional sense. It doesn’t have luxury resorts or famous viewpoints, but it does have mirror-like waters, floating vegetation, hundreds of bird species and country boats that drift gently across the lake! 

7. Mandovi River, Goa

Starting price: ₹400-₹700 per person for a shared sunset cruise

Goa’s beaches usually steal the spotlight, leaving the Mandovi River overlooked. That’s a mistake.

Shared evening cruises on the Mandovi are among the state’s best-value experiences. As the sun begins to set, boats glide past old Portuguese-era buildings, riverside villages and patches of mangroves while local musicians and folk dancers bring a slice of Goan culture on board. It’s relaxed and lively and hey, far easier on the wallet than many visitors expect.

Also Read: Just 1 Hr Away From Chennai, Muttukadu Is A Coastal Paradise With Backwaters, Wellness Retreats & More

Kerala’s houseboats have earned their reputation, but they’re no longer the only way to enjoy a memorable holiday on the water. 

Cover Image Courtesy: nitishwalia/Canva Pro