Guide details
Best time to visit
Early morning or late afternoon, October to February
How to get there
Drive or taxi south on the ECR, about 36km
Highlights
Backwater boating, windsurfing, ECR views
Good for
Families, couples, day-trippers
Price range
Rs 100 to Rs 500 per activity
Muttukadu Boat House sits right on the backwaters where Muttukadu lake meets the Bay of Bengal, about 36km south of Chennai on the East Coast Road, and it’s one of the easiest half day trips out of the city if you fancy some time on the water. Run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), it’s best known for its boating and windsurfing, and makes a good stop on the way to or from Mahabalipuram.
Boating at Muttukadu
The main draw is the boating on the calm backwater lake, which is sheltered enough to stay still even when the sea beyond it is choppy. You can choose from pedal boats, rowing boats and motorised speed boats, and there are bigger group boats too if you’re travelling with family or a larger party. Pedal boats and rowing boats are the cheapest and most relaxed way to spend twenty to thirty minutes on the water, drifting past the mangroves and birdlife along the banks, while the speed boats give you a faster loop around the lake for those who want a bit more excitement. Life jackets are provided and are compulsory, so don’t skip that part even if the water looks completely still.
Windsurfing and watersports
Muttukadu is also home to a watersports centre linked to the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, offering windsurfing, kayaking and water skiing for anyone who wants something more active than a pedal boat. Basic training is available for beginners, and equipment is provided, though you’ll want to book ahead on weekends since slots can fill up quickly with local sailing clubs and school groups using the same stretch of water. The lake’s steady breeze, particularly in the cooler months, makes it a genuinely decent spot to learn the basics of windsurfing without the swell you’d get out at sea.
Timings and prices
The boat house is generally open from around 9am to 6pm every day, including weekends, though timings can shift slightly with the season, so it’s worth calling ahead if you’re planning a visit around dusk. Pedal boats and rowing boats typically cost around Rs 100 to Rs 150 for a twenty to thirty minute ride, while speed boats cost more, usually in the range of Rs 300 to Rs 500 depending on the boat and duration. Windsurfing and other watersports sessions are priced separately and tend to run a bit higher, so check current rates at the counter on arrival. Parking is available on site for a small fee, and there are a few snack stalls near the entrance if you get peckish between rides.
How to get to Muttukadu Boat House from Chennai
Muttukadu sits on the East Coast Road (ECR), about 36km from central Chennai and roughly an hour’s drive depending on traffic, which is generally lighter on the ECR than on the city’s inner roads. The easiest way is by car or taxi, following the ECR south past Thiruvanmiyur, Injambakkam and Kovalam. If you don’t have your own transport, share autos and buses run along the ECR from Chennai, though a taxi or an app cab gives you far more flexibility, especially if you’re combining the trip with Mahabalipuram, Dakshinachitra or Cholamandal Artists’ Village, all of which sit along the same stretch of road.
Tips for visiting
- Go on a weekday morning if you want the lake to yourself
- Carry cash, as card facilities at the boat counters can be patchy
- Combine the visit with Mahabalipuram, only another 20 minutes down the ECR
- Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet, particularly for windsurfing or a speed boat
- Avoid the middle of the afternoon in summer, when the heat over open water gets intense
- Keep small children away from the lake’s edge outside the boating area
Muttukadu Boat House isn’t a full day destination on its own, but as a stop of an hour or two on an ECR day trip, it’s one of the more relaxing things to do outside the city, and a nice change of pace from Chennai’s temples and museums.