Kumarakom

Kumarakom has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater in Kerala and is the habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot also known as Etroplus suratensis) shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsonii) common name Poovalan chemeen. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.

Kumarakom has a wide variety of houseboats and is well known throughout the world for houseboat experience. They are used only for tourists these days. A separate boat known as Kettuvallam is used by the people to go fishing or to transport goods. Apart from these, there are elegant special boats like kochu-odi Vallam, Odi-Vallam, Iruttukutthi Vallam, Churulan Vallam and Chundan Vallam(Snake Boat), which take part in the boat races around Onam time including Nehru Trophy boat race Alappuzha(The most famous boat race in Kerala)The pride of kumarakom in boat races in Kerala is two main boat clubs called KBC (kumarakom Boat Club) and KTBC (kumarakom town Boat Club) which wons Nehru trophy for several times, Kumarakom will be in the Retheme of boat race during the first two weeks Of August and this is the most perfect time to visit kumarakom because tourists are able to see the trails (practice)of snake boats and other boats which is like a festival in kumarakom.More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The Kumarakom boat-race is conducted in the big canal in the centre near the market.