One night aboard needs far less than people pack for, and the mistakes are consistent: too much luggage, no mosquito repellent, and three things that were already on the boat.
What to pack
Bring these
- Mosquito repellent The single most forgotten item. Evenings at anchor are when they arrive.
- Sunscreen and a hat The upper deck has no shade for most of the afternoon.
- A light layer Cool on the water after dark, especially December and January.
- Photo ID for every adult Checked at boarding. Passport for foreign nationals.
- Any medication you need The boat anchors away from shops from 5 PM.
- A power bank There are sockets, but the generator rests overnight on some boats.
Already aboard
- All meals and drinking water Lunch, tea, dinner, breakfast. Mineral water throughout.
- Bedding, towels and linen Changed for every booking.
- En-suite bathroom with hot water In every bedroom, on every tier.
- Life jackets Including child sizes — ask the crew on boarding.
- Basic first aid The crew carry a kit.
Leave behind
- Heavy luggage Cabins are compact. A soft overnight bag beats a suitcase.
- Drone, unless you have asked Restricted over parts of the backwaters; check with us first.
- Expectations of fast data Signal drops in the narrow Kuttanad channels. That is rather the point.
The one thing to get right: luggage size
Houseboat cabins are compact, and there is nowhere to store a large suitcase — it ends up standing in the bedroom or the corridor for twenty-one hours. A soft overnight bag is genuinely worth repacking for. Leave the main case at your hotel in Alappuzha or Kochi; most will hold it for a night without charge, and you collect it after check-out.
Mosquito repellent, and when you will want it
This is the single most forgotten item. During the day on open water there is enough breeze that insects are not an issue. From 5:00 PM, when the boat anchors beside a vegetated bank, that changes — and that is precisely when you will be sitting out on the deck with a drink.
Boats carry nets on the bedroom windows and the cabins are fine. The deck in the evening is where repellent earns its place.
Clothes
Light cotton, and less than you think for a single night. The specifics worth noting:
- Something with sleeves for the evening. It is cool on the water after dark, particularly December and January.
- Footwear you can slip off. Decks are polished wood and most guests end up barefoot within an hour.
- Modest swimwear if you plan to swim, though note that swimming is at the captain’s discretion and depends on where the boat moors.
- A hat and sunscreen. The upper deck has no shade for most of the afternoon, and the glare off the water is stronger than it feels.
Documents
Photo ID for every adult is checked at boarding, and for foreign nationals that means a passport rather than any other document. Keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup. Carry some cash for tips and for anything you buy from a village shop en route, since card acceptance on the water is non-existent.
Medication and health
The boat anchors away from shops from 5:00 PM, so bring anything you take regularly rather than assuming you can pick it up. The crew carry a basic first-aid kit. If anyone in the group gets motion sick, the backwaters are calm enough that it is rarely an issue, but the open stretch across Vembanad can be choppy on a windy afternoon.
What is already aboard
This is the part worth reading twice, because most of what guests bring is already there:
- All meals — lunch, evening tea with snacks, dinner and breakfast, cooked onboard
- Mineral water throughout, plus a welcome drink on arrival
- Bedding, towels and linen, changed for every booking
- En-suite bathroom with hot water in every bedroom, on every tier
- Life jackets, including child sizes
- A basic first-aid kit
What to leave behind
A drone, unless you have asked us first — parts of the backwaters are restricted and the crew cannot authorise it on the day. Expectations of fast data: signal drops in the narrow Kuttanad channels, and there is no WiFi. Valuables you do not need, since cabins lock but the boat is an open environment with crew moving through it.
If you are travelling with children
Add a change of clothes more than you think, a couple of games for the anchored evening, and any specific food they will not do without — though the cook will happily make something plain if you mention it when you board. There is more in the family guide.
Packed and ready? Browse all houseboats or check what the day looks like in the first-timer’s guide.
Common questions
Do houseboats provide towels and toiletries?＋
Towels, bedding and linen are provided on every boat and changed for each booking. Basic toiletries are not reliable — bring your own soap, shampoo and toothbrush. Every bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with hot water.
Is there WiFi on a Kerala houseboat?＋
Generally no, and mobile signal drops in the narrow Kuttanad channels. Most guests find that is the point. If you need to be reachable, tell us and we will keep you on routes with better coverage, but do not plan to work from the boat.
Can I charge my phone on a houseboat?＋
Yes, there are sockets aboard. On some boats the generator rests overnight, so a power bank is worth bringing if you rely on your phone for photographs or an early alarm.
Can I bring alcohol onto a houseboat?＋
Yes. Alcohol is not included in any package, but you are welcome to bring your own and the crew will serve it, chilled, with dinner. Buy it before you reach the jetty — there is nowhere to buy it once the boat anchors.