Places to Visit in Poovar, Kerala: Best Attractions & Things to Do

Poovar is a quiet coastal village in southern Kerala, known for its backwaters, mangroves, Poovar Island, Golden Sand Beach and the Arabian Sea. Unlike Kerala’s busier beach destinations, Poovar offers a calmer setting where many of its main attractions can be explored by boat.

If you’re wondering what to see in Poovar, the main highlights can be covered in a single day. A Poovar boat ride takes you through the backwaters and mangroves to Poovar Island, Golden Sand Beach and the estuary where the waterways meet the Arabian Sea.

There are also several interesting places to visit near Poovar. Aazhimala Shiva Temple, Kovalam and Vizhinjam Port can be reached within about an hour, while Kanyakumari can be planned as a longer day trip along with a Poovar boating experience.

Poovar is a good choice for couples, families and nature lovers looking for a relaxed sightseeing experience. This guide covers the best places to visit in Poovar, things to do, places to visit near Poovar, and the best attractions for families and couples.

Best Places to Visit in Poovar

Poovar Island

Poovar Island is the centrepiece of the area. It is a small, green island surrounded by backwaters and reached by boat, which is part of its charm. Most visitors get there on a boating trip, drifting past coconut palms, fishing canoes and quiet village scenes.

It is one of the main reasons people come to Poovar, because the island, the water and the sea together make a landscape you won't find in most other Kerala destinations.

Poovar Backwaters

The backwaters are the heart of Poovar. They are fed by the Neyyar River and connected waterways, and they wind between mangroves, coconut groves and small settlements.

The water is calm and the pace is slow, which is why a boat ride is the simplest way to explore. Unlike larger backwater regions, Poovar's feel quieter and less commercial, and the scenery changes around each bend.

Mangrove Forests and Mangrove Island

The mangroves are among Poovar's most interesting natural features. Their tangled roots rise out of the water and form green tunnels and narrow channels that boats can drift through.

They are also habitat for birds and other small wildlife, so keep an eye on the branches and the water's edge. A slower boat ride works best here, because it gives you time to look around and take photos.

Golden Sand Beach

Golden Sand Beach is a narrow strip of sand between the backwaters and the Arabian Sea, and it is one of the most distinctive sights in Poovar. Visitors come to walk along the shore, take photographs and relax with the lagoon on one side and the open sea on the other.

It is also a popular sunset spot. Boats connect the beach with the backwaters, so it fits naturally into a boating trip.

Safety note: Sea conditions on this stretch can be strong, especially during the monsoon. Follow local guidance and the boat operator's advice before entering the water.

Poovar Estuary and Arabian Sea

The estuary is where the backwaters meet the Arabian Sea, and it is one of the highlights of any Poovar sightseeing trip. Calm lagoon water meets rolling surf, with the beach and the horizon in the same view.

It is also a rewarding place for photography, particularly in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.

Mother Mary Statue

The Mother Mary Statue is a landmark you will see along the boating route. It is generally a short sightseeing or viewing stop rather than a major attraction that needs a long visit. Think of it as a point of interest along the way, not a destination of its own.

Coconut Island

Coconut Island is a small island surrounded by calm water and, as the name suggests, coconut palms. It appears on longer Poovar boating routes and offers pleasant scenery and photo opportunities. Longer routes are more likely to include it, so confirm the route when booking.

AVM Canal

The AVM Canal is a historic waterway linked to Poovar's backwater landscape. It is generally included in longer sightseeing routes, and it adds a sense of the area's character beyond the beaches and islands.

If you want to see the wider backwater network and not just the main highlights, choose a longer route.

Things to Do in Poovar

Go on a Poovar Boating Trip

Boating is central to the Poovar experience, because most of the area's attractions are reached by water. On a typical trip you pass the backwaters, mangroves, Poovar Island and the estuary, with Golden Sand Beach as a possible stop.

Shorter trips cover the main highlights, while longer trips add more of the quieter waterways and extra points of interest. Motor boats and shikaras are the common options. Motor boats cover more distance, while shikaras suit a slower, more relaxed ride.

Explore the Mangroves

Cruise through the mangrove-covered waterways and look for birds and other natural details. A slower boat ride is useful here, because the channels are narrow and the best moments are small ones: a bird on a branch, light filtering through leaves, still water reflecting the roots.

Visit Poovar Island

Combine the island with your boating trip, then take time to look at the surrounding waterways and scenery. The island works best as part of a wider route, not as a standalone stop.

Spend Time at Golden Sand Beach

Take a beach walk, take photos, or simply relax near the estuary. Where conditions allow, it is also a lovely place to stay on for the sunset.

Watch the Sunset in Poovar

Backwaters, beach and sea together give Poovar an unusual sunset setting, with the light shifting across the water and sand. Exact timing depends on the season and weather, so check sunset times for your travel dates and plan your boat ride accordingly. Clouds and monsoon conditions can change the view.

Stop at a Floating Restaurant

Some boating trips can include a stop at a floating restaurant, which makes for a relaxed meal on the water. This is usually optional and depends on the trip, so confirm availability and stop duration when you book.

Stay at a Backwater Resort or Floating Cottage

If you want more than a day visit, a backwater resort or floating cottage offers a slower, more immersive stay with the water right outside. It suits couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants a quiet escape. A resort stay is a different experience from visiting for the day, because you get the early mornings and evenings when the area is calmest.

Places to Visit Near Poovar

• Aazhimala Shiva Temple: Aazhimala Shiva Temple is a coastal temple near Chowara, known for its massive Shiva sculpture overlooking the Arabian Sea. Its seaside location makes it a scenic stop for visitors travelling between Poovar and Kovalam, and it can easily be included in a coastal sightseeing trip.
• Kovalam: Kovalam is one of the most popular beach destinations near Poovar and is known for Lighthouse Beach, Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. Visitors can combine Poovar’s backwaters and boating experience with Kovalam’s beaches, making both destinations a good option for a full day of sightseeing.
• Vizhinjam: Vizhinjam is a coastal fishing harbour near Kovalam, known for its traditional fishing activity, harbour and surrounding coastline. It is a convenient stop to add to a Poovar and Kovalam sightseeing trip, particularly for travellers interested in Kerala’s coastal life.
• Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari, in Tamil Nadu, is a longer trip from Poovar and is best planned as a full-day excursion. It is famous for the meeting of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, as well as attractions such as Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue and its spectacular sunset views. If you have enough time, you can combine a morning Poovar boat ride with a planned trip to Kanyakumari.
• Neyyar Dam: Neyyar Dam is a scenic destination surrounded by the Western Ghats, offering a different experience from Poovar’s coastal backwaters. It is a good choice for travellers interested in nature, greenery and reservoir landscapes, although it is better planned as a separate excursion rather than combined with the Poovar–Kovalam coastal route.

Places to Visit in Poovar for Family and Couples

Best Places in Poovar for Families

• Poovar boating
• Poovar Island
• Mangrove areas
• Golden Sand Beach
• Floating restaurant
• Resort activities

Families do best with easy, low-effort sightseeing: boat rides, nature and activities that work for different ages. Ask about life jackets and boat comfort for children and older relatives when booking.

Best Places in Poovar for Couples

• Poovar Island
• Mangrove boat ride
• Golden Sand Beach
• Poovar Estuary
• Sunset boating
• Floating cottage or resort stay

Couples tend to prefer privacy, scenery and a relaxed pace. A sunset boat ride followed by time at the estuary, or an overnight stay on the water, is hard to beat.

Poovar for a One-Day Trip

You can see a lot in a day without rushing:

• Morning boating
• Poovar Island and the mangroves
• Golden Sand Beach and the estuary
• Lunch, or a stop at the floating restaurant
• Optional Kovalam visit afterwards

That covers the main highlights comfortably. Adding Kovalam makes the day fuller, so keep it for the evening and don't try to squeeze in anything further.

Conclusion

Poovar's appeal is simple: backwaters, mangroves, Poovar Island, Golden Sand Beach and the Arabian Sea, all within a small area and mostly reached by boat. A boat ride is the easiest way to experience several of these highlights together. Poovar works well as a day trip from Kovalam or Thiruvananthapuram, and it also rewards an overnight stay at a backwater resort.

Ready to plan your Poovar sightseeing? Book a Poovar boating experience with Cruoo and see the backwaters, mangroves and estuary for yourself.