Industrialist Anand Mahindra has added a new destination to his travel wishlist - and this time, he is sharing it with the world. Kadamakkudy, often counted among the most beautiful villages on Earth, is an island suburb located about 15 kilometres from Kochi, in Kerala's Ernakulam district. The Kadamakkudy Islands are a cluster of fourteen islets, surrounded by paddy fields, backwaters, and lush wetlands.
In a recent post, Mahindra revealed that he plans to visit Kadamakkudy in December, during a business trip to Kochi, which is just a 30-minute drive away.
The video he shared showcases calm waters, vibrant greenery, and slow, idyllic village life - the kind of place that demands you to pause.
Kadamakkudy in Kerala.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 6, 2025
Often listed amongst the most beautiful villages on earth…
On my bucket list for this December, since I'm scheduled to be on a business trip to Kochi, which is just a half hour away…#SundayWanderer pic.twitter.com/cQccgPHrv9
What Makes Kadamakkudy Worth Visiting: Nature, Culture, and Calm
Kadamakkudy offers the kind of quiet that is increasingly hard to come by. Surrounded by emerald paddy fields and mirror-like backwaters, it is a visual treat and an ecological haven. Birdwatchers will spot great white egrets, ducks, gulls, and other migratory birds.
Daily life here revolves around agriculture, fishing, toddy tapping, and prawn farming. This is one of the few places where you can watch all of these activities happen side by side, or even participate in them.
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How To Reach Kadamakkudy From Kochi Or Ernakulam
The islands are well-connected by road. From Ernakulam, board a bus to Varapuzha and alight at SNDP Junction. From there, take an auto-rickshaw to Kadamakkudy. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or drive down from Kochi. The nearest town is Chettibhagam (Varapuzha), which is around three kilometres before Kadamakkudy.
Best Time To Visit Kadamakkudy Islands
Plan your trip between October and March - the post-monsoon season - when the air is less humid, temperatures are pleasant, and the landscape looks its best. This is also the best time for birdwatching and outdoor activities like village walks and boat rides.
Top 5 Activities To Do In Kadamakkudy
1. Glide Through The Backwaters On A Boat
A boat ride here feels like therapy. Glide through narrow water channels framed by coconut palms and spot birds resting on the banks. You will also get a glimpse of local fishing practices, which are as much a part of life as they are a skill.
2. Try Your Hand At Fish Farming
Karimeen, or pearl spot fish, thrives in the backwaters of Kerala. At local fish farms in Kadamakkudy, villagers often welcome visitors to experience how this fish is caught and bred.
3. Watch A Proper Kerala Sunset
The sunsets here are quietly spectacular - the sky melts into a hundred shades over still waters. Ideal between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, the experience is one that lingers long after.
Also Read: Anand Mahindra Calls Rampur A "Must-See Destination" - Here's Why
4. Walk Through The Village Trails
Put on your walking shoes and take in the landscape at your own pace. Walk past canals, thatched homes, and fields that seem endless. The roads are muddy, the pace is slow, and that is exactly the charm.
5. Feast On Traditional Kerala Food
Food in Kadamakkudy is a highlight in itself. Try karimeen fry, kakka roast, beef roast, veg thoran, veg mezhukkuperatti, and red rice. Karimeen pollichathu, where the fish is marinated in masala and steamed in a banana leaf, is a must.
Seafood fans can also try prawns fried in coconut oil, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chillies. Pair your evening tea with banana fritters and boiled tapioca served with green chilli chutney.
What You Will Not Find In Kadamakkudy: Tourist Frills
This is not a polished, commercial tourist destination, and that is the point. Kadamakkudy is rustic, raw, and rooted in everyday life. There are no hotels or public facilities nearby, but a few homestays offer clean, comfortable rooms and home-cooked meals.
Why Kadamakkudy Is Worth The Trip
Kadamakkudy is not just scenic, it feels unhurried in a rare way. Whether you are floating through the backwaters, catching your lunch, or watching the sky change colours, the experience here is unfiltered and grounded.
It may not have a fancy tourism board behind it, but it has something far better: authenticity.
Even Anand Mahindra could not resist. Perhaps it is time to add this Kerala island to your travel plans too.
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