The initiative, launched on October 18, adds a more hands-on experience to the Muziris Heritage Project, which brings together the area’s history, architecture and cultural traditions.

A fleet of 26 kayaks and 14 canoes have been deployed across the two waterfronts. Visitors can now explore the waterways from the water itself, rather than simply admire the backwaters from the shore. The development is part of a wider effort to revive water-based tourism in the region.

Two six-seater water taxis have already started operating, while three 24-seater passenger boats are expected to join the fleet within three months. Heritage boat services connecting important historical sites, suspended for around four years, are also set to resume. Once the network expands, travelling between heritage attractions by water could become an experience in its own right.

Photo: Muziris Heritage Project/FB

What lies beyond Muziris’ waterways?

The appeal of Muziris and its history is reflected in the places of worship, palaces, forts and traditional market areas spread across present-day Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. Visitors can explore the Paravur Synagogue, the Paliam Palace and Paliam Nalukettu, and the remains of Kottappuram Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1523. Together, these sites offer glimpses into the many communities and trading powers that shaped the region over the centuries.

At Kottappuram waterfront, a walkway, seating areas and food outlets make it a pleasant place to spend time beside the backwaters. Nearby, the local markets retain traces of their long trading history. Gothuruthu is worth exploring for its traditional performance art, Chavittu Nadakam, and its Portuguese-influenced seafood cuisine.

The wider Muziris Heritage Project also includes museums and restored heritage properties that help visitors understand the area's Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu cultural histories.

With kayaking and canoeing now joining its heritage attractions, Muziris is developing into a destination where history can be experienced alongside the landscape that helped shape it. The water-taxi network and planned return of heritage boat services could make it easier to connect several sites during a visit, although travellers should check which services and routes are operating before making plans.