Vembanad backwater stretch is located in the districts of Ernakulam, Alapuzha and Kottayam area.The Cochin coast is dotted with numerous islands interconnected by ferries and bridges, adorning the Queen of the Arabian Sea like a necklace of pearls. The islands break the waves from the sea, thus ensuring that the back waters are calm and navigable. Among the islands, Wellingdon Island deserves special mention as it houses the Port of Cochin and the largest Naval presence in India: the Southern Naval Command.

Kumbalangi Backwaters, which is part of Vembanadu Lake, located near to Kochi is famous for its village tourism, where small canoes are used to navigate a maze of mangrove forests, which is a unique experience

Houseboat tourism is the most popular activity in backwaters, with several large Kettu-vallams (traditional rice boats, now converted into floating hotels) ply. Apart from Kettuvallams, large cruisers and yachts also operate.