Kuruvadweep– Kerala Travel Guide
Kuruvadweep or the ‘Kuruva Island’ is a cluster of scenic islets in the Kabini River in Wayanad. Spread across 950acres, most of these islets are still uninhabited. Owing to this, these group of islands has become a sprawling ground for many rare and exotic flora and fauna. Availability of food in these islands also attract a large number of local and migratory birds including hornbills, varieties of parrots, and others. Kuruvadweep is also a prismatic home to a range of butterfly species.
Encircled by the Kabini River and other streams, Kuruva Island can be accessed only by means of boats. Kerala Tourism Department runs fibre boat and raft for the visitors to reach this island. Also, in order to visit this island, visitors need to acquire entry permit from the local forest officials.
Once into the island with required permission, visitors can go for trekking, bird watching, and wildlife spotting within Kuruvadweep. The island has a nearby picnic spot that attracts a major chunk of the crowd.
How to Reach Kuruvadweep:
1By Road:
Kuruva Island can be accessed only by boat rides from Kalpetta. Visitors can reach Kalpetta from almost most of the major tourist destinations in Kerala. Also, this tourist town is well-connected with National Highway 766 that connects Mysore and Kozhikode.
2By Train:
To reach Kuruvadweep by train, one should book a journey till the Nilambur Railway Station, which is around 41km from Kalpetta. Once at the railway station, visitors can hire private cabs or take the regular buses to Kalpetta; following this, a short boat ride can take them to Kuruva Island.
3By Air:
Kalpetta does not have its own airport. Calicut International Airport, which is around 51km from Kalpetta, serves as the closest airport to reach Kuruvadweep by air. From the airport, visitors should take a road journey to reach Kalpetta first. On arrival at the town, visitors can take a boat ride to reach their favourite island.
Best Time to Visit Kuruvadweep
December to April (late) – Best Time:
With the arrival winters, temperature across the islands start dipping with the atmosphere getting crispier than the other times. Also, as this is the migratory season for the birds, the island witness an overwhelming population of local as well as migratory birds in this season. Other dwellers of the island also comes out often in search of food and water. This makes winter the best time to go for wildlife spotting within the island.
May to December (early) – Entry Restricted
KuruvadweepEntry Timings:
Operational Days: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Monday)
Visiting Hours: 09:30AM to 03:30PM
KuruvadweepEntry Costs
Adults (Indian): INR 80
Children (Indian): INR 55
Foreign Nationals: INR 150
Still Camera: INR 30
Video Camera: Not Allowed
Kuruvadweep Parking Fees
Two Wheelers: INR 10
Three Wheelers: INR 30
Four Wheelers: INR 50
Bus / Mini Bus: INR 80
Kuruvadweep Parking Fees
There is no stay options available in Kuruvadweep. Visitors can book hotels, guesthouses, resorts, or tourist lodges in and around Kalpetta town as it is the closest tourist destination to the island and has an ample of tourist stay options.
