Muttukadu boating guide: backwater rides on ECR

What Muttukadu is

Muttukadu is a stretch of backwater on the East Coast Road, where a creek meets the Bay of Bengal between Chennai and Kovalam. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has run a boat house here since 1984, and it is still one of the easiest ways to get out on the water near the city. It sits a few minutes' drive north of Kovalam (Covelong), close to DakshinaChitra, so it fits neatly into a slow weekend on the coast.

It is also popular. Published figures put visitors at around 2.2 lakh in 2024–25, with roughly 2,000 people on a typical weekend. That tells you two things: it is worth a visit, and timing matters.

What you can do on the water

The boat house keeps a fleet of a few dozen watercraft, and the options fall into a few simple groups:

• Row boats. The calm choice. Rides are usually around 30 minutes, long enough to drift along the backwater and watch the birds and fishing boats.
• Motor boats. Bigger boats for a group, usually for around 20 minutes. Boats come in different sizes, so a group of friends can often share one.
• Speed boats. Short and quick, typically about 10 minutes, for anyone who wants a bit of spray.
• Water scooters. The fastest ride, usually about 5 minutes.
• Kayaks and other watercraft are also listed for the site.

A favourite moment on the motor boat rides is passing under the ECR bridge and heading out towards the mouth of the backwater. Life jackets are handed out to everyone on board. Charges are per boat or per ride and depend on the type of boat, and third-party sites list very different figures, so check the rates on the board at the ticket counter before you choose. Expect to wait for your turn in the shaded waiting area, especially at weekends.

Seanz Cruise, the floating restaurant

Since January 2025, Muttukadu has also had Tamil Nadu's first floating restaurant. Seanz Cruise is a double-deck vessel, about 125 feet long, built as a partnership between TTDC and Grandeur Marine International. It seats around 100 diners in an air-conditioned lower deck and has an open-air upper deck that is lovely at sunset. Reports at launch described an Indian buffet and opening hours of 7:30 AM to 11 PM every day. Group dining and parties need to be booked in advance, so call ahead if you are planning a birthday or a get-together on board.

Timings and when to go

The boat house opens in the morning, around 9 AM, and boats run until early evening. Published closing times vary between sources, so confirm on the day, particularly if you are aiming for a late-afternoon ride.

A few tips for a better visit:

• Go early on weekends. Queues build from late morning. A weekday or an early weekend slot is much calmer.
• Pick the season. The cooler months, roughly October to February, are the most comfortable for being out on open water. Midday in summer is hot and glary.
• Late afternoon light is beautiful. If you can, plan a ride for the golden hour and then stay on for dinner on the floating restaurant.
• Water levels vary. Boating depends on water levels and conditions in the backwater, which shift through the year. If it has been very dry, or after heavy rain, it is worth checking before you drive over.
• Carry the basics. Sunglasses, a cap, water and a dry bag for your phone make the ride more pleasant.

Making a weekend of it

Muttukadu is at its best as part of an unhurried day on ECR rather than a rushed trip from the city. A simple plan from Kovalam looks like this: a morning walk on the beach, an early boat ride at Muttukadu, lunch, then an afternoon at DakshinaChitra next door. If you have more time, the Madras Crocodile Bank and Mahabalipuram are further down the same road. Our guides to DakshinaChitra, the Crocodile Bank and a Mahabalipuram day trip have the details.

It is a great outing for a group of friends or a couple's weekend: a quick blast on a speed boat, a slow row as the light softens, then back to somewhere quiet for the evening.

Stay close by at Bruno Villa

Bruno Villa is a brand-new private 3-bedroom pool villa on Casurina Bay Drive in Kovalam, a short walk from the beach and only a short drive from Muttukadu. After a day on the water, come back to your own private pool and lit garden, fire up the BBQ, or watch the sea from the rooftop terrace. The villa sleeps up to 10 guests (2 more on request), has full power backup and Wi-Fi, and a caretaker is on site. A cook is available on request if you bring the groceries, and housekeeping can be arranged. Check-in is at 2 PM and check-out at 11 AM, so an early boat ride fits easily on your last morning. Remember to pack your swimwear and pool towels.

Planning a weekend on ECR? Tap the WhatsApp button on this page, send us your dates and number of guests, and we'll reply with availability.

Sources

• Wikipedia, Muttukadu boat house: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muttukadu_boat_house (TTDC-run since 1984; on the Muttukadu backwaters on ECR; motor boats, water scooters, kayaks and other watercraft; 37 watercraft in 2024–25; about 2.2 lakh visitors in 2024–25 and about 2,000 on a typical weekend; boating affected by water levels, siltation and water quality; Seanz Cruise opened 7 January 2025)
• DT Next, Dine along the Muttukadu backwaters at Tamil Nadu's first floating restaurant: https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/dine-along-the-muttukadu-backwaters-at-tamil-nadus-first-floating-restaurant-818384 (TTDC and Grandeur Marine International partnership; seats at least 100; buffet; open 7:30 AM–11 PM daily; advance booking for groups and parties)
• Oneindia, Floating Restaurant In Chennai: Seating Capacity, Timings: https://www.oneindia.com/chennai/floating-restaurant-in-chennai-seating-capacity-timings-first-look-pics-of-muttukadu-boat-house-4036855.html (double-decker, 125 ft by 25 ft; open-air upper deck; air-conditioned; 100 diners; life jackets and lifeboats)
• Chennai Tourism, Muttukadu Boat House Chennai: https://chennaitourism.travel/muttukadu-boat-house-chennai (opens 9 AM; row, motor and speed boats and water scooters; ride lengths of about 30, 20, 10 and 5 minutes; November to February recommended)
• Trekkerpedia, Muttukadu Boathouse: Boating on backwaters, ECR: https://trekkerpedia.com/travel/india/muttukadu-boating-on-backwaters-east-coast-road-chennai/ (between MGM and Kovalam; near DakshinaChitra; life jackets for all; ride under the ECR bridge; waiting area; October to February best)