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Honnavar Backwater Boating
Boat rides on the Sharavathi River — mangroves, sunsets and calm coastal water.
Book your ride today
Tell us your date, group size and preferred time — we confirm on WhatsApp within the hour.
Check availability — instant reply on WhatsApp
No advance payment. We confirm on WhatsApp, usually within the hour.
| Price | ₹1,500 (1 hr) / ₹2,500 (2 hrs) per private boat — government-approved rates |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 to 2 hours depending on package |
| Timings | Every day, about 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM |
| Best season | October to May; sunrise & sunset slots are most scenic |
| Location | Pauli's site, Tari-Bagel, R.C. Church Rd, Honnavar 581334 |
| From Gokarna | ≈ 50 km, 1–1.5 hr drive on NH-66 |
| From Murudeshwar | ≈ 40 km, about 1 hr drive |
| Safety | Life jackets for all guests; free weather reschedule |
| Booking | WhatsApp or call +91 88280 91411 — no advance portal needed |
Government-approved rates
Boating Packages
1-Hour Backwater Ride
1 hour · up to 4 guests
Private boat through the Sharavathi backwaters and mangrove channels — the classic first ride.
Sunrise / Sunset Cruise
1 hour · up to 4 guests
Golden-hour slot timed for the best light and calm water — the most photographed ride.
2-Hour Complete Tour
2 hours · up to 8 guests
The full route — Kerala Spot, mangrove tunnel, Lotus Point and the sunset stretch in one ride.
Pre-Wedding Shoot Package
2 hours · couple + crew
Decorated boat, multiple shoot locations on the water and route timed for the light.
Party Boat Celebration
Custom
Birthdays and celebrations on the water — decoration and catering arranged on request.
On the route
Places You'll Cover
Kerala Spot
Coconut-fringed channels that look straight out of Alleppey — the most requested photo stop on the route.
Mangrove Tunnel
A dense green canopy channel near the Kandla boardwalk where the boat glides under overhanging mangroves.
Lotus Point
Seasonal lotus blooms on still water — best in the cooler months, beautiful at sunrise.
Golden Sunset Stretch
Open water facing west where the Sharavathi meets the sky — the classic sunset-cruise finale.
Madhuvana
The green stretch deeper into the backwaters, covered on the longer rides — quiet water and thick coconut banks.
Sharavathi Estuary
Where the river widens toward the Arabian Sea — kingfishers, egrets and gull flocks along the way, especially at sunrise.
Straight from the water
Watch the Ride
Good to know
Safety & Boarding
Every ride includes life jackets for all guests — children included — and our boats are handled by experienced local boatmen who have spent their lives on the Sharavathi. Boats are checked daily and rides are adjusted to water conditions.
Boarding point: Pauli's site, Tari-Bagel, R.C. Church Road, Honnavar, Karnataka 581334 — a few minutes from Honnavar town off NH-66, with parking near the jetty.
Getting here: about 50 km (1–1.5 hr) from Gokarna and about 40 km (≈1 hr) from Murudeshwar — an easy half-day trip from either. Honnavar has its own railway station and buses along the Konkan coast.
Timings: early morning to sunset, every day. October to May is the best season; sunrise and sunset slots fill first.
Boarding point — Honnavar Pauli's Homestay & Boating, Tari-Bagel, Church Rd, Honnavar
What travellers say
Google Reviews
Amazing boating experience! 🌊🚤 Pauli’s Boating in Honnavar offers a peaceful and scenic ride through beautiful backwaters and mangroves. The boat ride is smooth, safe, and well-managed. The staff is friendly, professional, and very helpful throughout the trip. Perfect place for family, friends, and nature lovers. If you’re visiting Honnavar and want to enjoy nature from the water, this is a must-try experience. Totally worth it and highly recommended! 🙌
The boat ride was a peaceful and refreshing experience. Calm water, cool breeze, and beautiful views made the ride very relaxing. It was well-organized and totally worth it.
I have visited over and over again to Paul's Boating, & as always the same respect, love & care from the staff & the man himself, really worth every single penny with the beautiful nature and very clean boats. Must visit and experience. Not once but over & over again.
Loved the service provided by Pauli. The site seeing whatever mentioned in the package is what they've shown not like some other's.
Boating is very exciting . My family including my 86 years old mother and 1 year old grand daughter enjoyed lot
The Pauli's difference
Why Book With Us
4.9★ on Google
Live reviews from real guests, pulled straight from our Google listing — not pasted testimonials.
Govt-approved rates
₹1,500/1 hr and ₹2,500/2 hrs — fixed by the district committee, per boat. No per-head surprises at the jetty.
Weather promise
If wind or rain makes a ride unsafe, your slot is rescheduled free. No arguments.
Boats + homestay
The only operator on this stretch where you can ride at sunset and sleep 100 metres from the jetty.
How booking works
Message us
WhatsApp your date, slot and group size — or use the form above.
We confirm
You get boat, time and boarding directions on WhatsApp, usually within the hour.
Just show up
Pay by UPI or cash at the jetty. Life jackets and your boatman are ready.
Before you ride
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Honnavar backwater boating cost?
Rates are fixed by the district water sports committee: ₹1,500 per private boat for a 1-hour ride and ₹2,500 for a 2-hour ride — the same official rates for every operator, and charging more is prohibited. Prices are per boat, not per person. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 88280 91411 to confirm today's availability.
Is the price per person or per boat?
Per boat. The ₹1,500 one-hour ride covers the whole boat for up to 4 guests — you never share with strangers unless you choose to. Larger boats for groups of 8–10 are available on the 2-hour packages.
Where is the boarding point?
Boarding is at Pauli's site, Tari-Bagel, R.C. Church Road, Honnavar, Karnataka 581334 — a few minutes from Honnavar town. Open the location in Google Maps from this page; free parking is available near the boarding point.
What are the boating timings?
Rides run every day from early morning (around 6:00 AM) to sunset (around 6:30 PM). Sunrise and sunset slots are the most scenic — book those a day ahead, especially on weekends and holidays.
What places does the ride cover?
Depending on the package: the Kerala Spot coconut channels, the mangrove tunnel near the Kandla boardwalk, Lotus Point, the golden sunset stretch and the wide Sharavathi estuary. The 2-hour complete tour covers the full route.
What is the best time of year to visit the Honnavar backwaters?
October to May offers calm water and clear skies. During heavy monsoon months the river can run high and rides depend on conditions on the day.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Safety comes first. If wind or rain makes the ride unsafe, we reschedule your slot at no extra cost — just message us and we'll fix a new time.
How far is Honnavar boating from Gokarna?
About 50 km — roughly a 1 to 1.5 hour drive along NH-66. Many guests visit us as a half-day trip from Gokarna. See our Honnavar boating from Gokarna guide for the full plan.
How far is it from Murudeshwar?
About 40 km, around an hour's drive up the coast. Combining Murudeshwar temple in the morning with an afternoon backwater ride is a popular plan.
Are life jackets provided?
Yes. Life jackets are provided for every guest, including children, and our boats are handled by experienced local boatmen who know the Sharavathi well.
Is the ride safe for children and senior citizens?
Yes — the backwaters are calm, boarding is assisted, and life jackets come in all sizes. Tell us in advance if anyone needs extra help boarding and we'll arrange it.
What payment methods do you accept?
UPI (Google Pay / PhonePe), and cash at the boarding point. Bookings are confirmed on WhatsApp — no advance payment portal needed.
What should I carry for the boat ride?
Sunscreen, a hat or cap, drinking water, and your camera or phone for the Kerala Spot and sunset stretch. For sunrise rides a light jacket helps in winter months.
Can you arrange a pre-wedding or photoshoot ride?
Yes — the ₹2,500 pre-wedding package includes a decorated boat, about 2 hours on the water and a route timed for the best light. Photographers and drones are welcome; tell us your shot list in advance.
How do I book?
Call or WhatsApp +91 88280 91411 (or +91 95941 61961) with your date, group size and preferred time. Advance booking is recommended for weekends, sunset slots and shoot packages.
Ready for the backwaters?
Message us with your date and group size — we'll confirm your Honnavar boating slot right away.