Alumkadavu

Alumkadavu is a traditional backwater settlement in the Karunagappally region of Kollam district, Kerala, best known for its association with kettuvallam construction. These large wooden boats once carried goods through Kerala’s waterways and later became the design inspiration for modern houseboats. Kerala Tourism highlights Alumkadavu as an important place to understand this boat-building tradition, with local yards and skilled craftsmanship forming a distinctive part of the visitor experience.

The village lies along the broader Ashtamudi backwater system, where coconut-lined banks, coir-related activity and quiet waterways create a relaxed rural landscape. A visit can be combined with a backwater cruise or a drive through the northern Kollam coast, offering a different perspective from the more commercial houseboat hubs elsewhere in Kerala. Alumkadavu’s value lies in the connection between tourism and living craftsmanship: visitors are not simply seeing a scenic waterway, but a place where the history and construction of Kerala’s famous boats remain part of local identity.