Boating in Chennai – Muttukadu Boat House (ECR)

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As you know, the East Coast Road (ECR) is the entertainment highway of Chennai and there is even boating available on that road! The Muttukadu boat house is established and being maintained by the TamilNadu Tourism Development Corporation. This spot is located around 30 KM from Chennai (On the ECR) and it is located in between MGM Dizzee World/Dakshinachitra & Kovalam beach. After you cross MGM keep looking for a large over-bridge that crosses this backwaters. On your right, you’ll be able to see the boat house.

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The kind of boats available here, duration of the ride, amount/tariff and other such information for the Muttukadu boat club is given in the above photo. Of course, these things are subject to change with time, but you can get a general idea about the types of boat/rides available here.

As expected with any boat club, pedal boats, row boats, motor boats are available. The pricing is also quite economical (if you go as a group). But what surprised me is, they have two water scooters/aqua scooters!! But of course, that 520 rupees for 5 minutes for these water scooters is not very impressive! How about making it 15 minutes?

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I have been to this Muttukadu boat house a couple of times when I was young(er) and at that time I went on the boat ride. This time, I went alone and somehow it felt awkward to go for a ride, all alone by myself. Not that I think twice before going to a movie theater/coffee shop alone *I do that all the time*, but in this location I felt like that.

They are giving life-jackets to all the visitors these days. Earlier, it was not there. Also, they have constructed a new waiting room (with a bamboo roof) for people to wait and watch the boats from inside. Even outside the room, there are enough chairs for people to sit and watch the boats. There is a restaurant here, but I am not sure about the quality of food.

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As you can see in the above photo, there is a boat-jetty. One has to walk the ramp*!* to get to the boats. There are enough people to help you and there are enough drivers as well. They seem to be able to handle the weekend crowd quite well (which was not much, when I went). These are salt-water backwaters. Yes, I have tasted the water when I was young! 🙂

The lake/backwater is quite large and the boat has enough room to go around. Of course, unlike other mountain-locations, the surroundings is not scenic (there are no water-falls, hills  etc.), but it’s a different experience to ride under that over-bridge and see the large buildings on the backdrop. Bird lovers will love this spot as they can spot so many kind of birds on both sides of the over-bridge. Bring your birding scope, if possible.

They are going to introduce sailing and water-sports in the future, it seems. Hopefully these things will come fast and the prices kept attractive.

So, what has been your boating experience? Which location do you like?

Also see: Chetpet Ecopark: Boating & Fishing within Chennai.

Destination Infinity

Photos: Destination8Infinity. All photos published under this creative commons license.

23 thoughts on “Boating in Chennai – Muttukadu Boat House (ECR)

  1. Bikramjit Singh Mann

    I love that, when in chandigahr i use to be the member of lake club and every now and then we would go take a boat and do some boating 🙂

    1. Rajesh K

      If I go to Chandigarh, lake club is one place to visit 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  2. sm

    looks beautiful lake
    nice photos

    1. Rajesh K

      A mountain or woods or waterfall along the sides would have made it even better!

      Destination Infinity

  3. Rahul Aggarwal

    yes as Bikram Veer ji said, the pics reminded me of Sukhna lake in chandigarh !

    1. Rajesh K

      Sukhna lake is a must visit in Chandigarh for me, then 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  4. Shilpa Garg

    This surely looks interesting and so very professionally run! 520 for 5 minutes is way too much!! This made me remember our trips to Mount Abu and Nanital where in Nakki and Naini Lakes respectively, we did some boating!

    1. Rajesh K

      What names for the lakes – Nakki and Naini. Twins? 🙂

      Destination Infinity

      1. Shilpa Garg

        Sounds like that but Nakki is in Rajasthan and Naini is in Uttarakhand! 🙂

        1. Rajesh K

          Ha ha. Distant twins then 🙂

          Destination Infinity

  5. Nagini

    Wow..Nice pic..Beautiful place..:-)

    1. Rajesh K

      Yeah, it’s sort of being maintained well. At least, much better than the neighboring Kovalam beach.

      Destination Infinity

  6. Jeevan

    I have taken rides here long time ago and its fun while passing under the bridge. I cross the boat house on Kaanum pongal and found many cranes and pelicans on water.

    Even I like this place for boating, I prefer for the Raindrop boat house in MudaliarKuppam backwater which is about 60km from muttukadu on ECR, between mamallapuram and Pondicherry. They take us for a long ride at the similar tariff here.

    “tasted the water”! lol Nice photos Rajesh.

    1. Rajesh K

      I need to visit the Raindrop boat house sometime in the future. I have been hearing a lot about it, of late! Yes, there are a lot of birds here.

      Destination Infinity

  7. Barbara J Hull

    The place really looks beautiful and the river seems so calm… Boat rides would be so much fun here. Thanks for sharing! Your photos are truly magnificent! 😀 http://www.yachts4fun.com/

  8. Krishna

    Nice info & photos…

    Boating is common in alapuzha, kottayam and ernakulam districts of Kerala.

    thanks

  9. Anna J. Melville

    It was a nice experience being at the lake. Trully amazing scenery too! Thanks!

  10. raja

    shall be book the tickets for boats in advance????????????????

    1. Rajesh K

      Not required, you can go there and then book the tickets.

      Destination Infinity

  11. Ramesh

    Is 700 0r 520 charge per head or for all 10 passengers?

  12. Atul Meledath
    Atul Meledath says:

    Coool !!! But of course, that 520 rupees for 5 minutes for these water scooters is not very impressive! How about making it 15 minutes? 😉

  13. hid

    is this place safe to go with your girlfreind

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