Ponnumthuruthu Golden Island: How to Plan a Trip from Varkala

Ponnumthuruthu lies in the Anjengo backwaters, with Nedunganda village on the mainland opposite the island. Kerala Tourism places it about 12 km south of Varkala, while the Government of India’s Incredible India site gives a distance of about 20 km. Treat those as different published estimates when planning your road journey.

The name means Golden Island. A local legend recounted by Kerala Tourism says queens from the Travancore royal family hid gold and ornaments here, inspiring the name Ponnumthuruthu. Another day trip from Varkala takes in Anjengo Fort and lighthouse.

To reach Ponnumthuruthu, travel to Nedunganda village and take a country boat across the backwaters. Kerala Tourism describes the crossing as about 30 minutes; the Incredible India site also gives about 30 minutes for the traditional boat ride.

The published distance from Varkala varies, so allow for the journey to Nedunganda as well as the boat crossing. The sources describe access by jetty from the village, but do not provide a current route or travel time from Varkala to the departure point. If you are arriving by rail, plan the connection from Varkala Sivagiri station to town.

Confirm the boat departure arrangements directly before travelling. Kerala Tourism does not provide a current timetable, fare, booking method, authorised operator or weather-cancellation policy for the crossing, so ask locally how to arrange the trip and whether boats are operating.

Kerala Tourism describes the Nedunganda jetty as makeshift, with a walkway made from coconut husk, mud and coir waste. It also does not give accessibility details for the jetty, boat or island.

If access needs matter for your group, check the conditions before setting out. For changing travel and access details, check the official site before you go: Kerala Tourism.

Coconut groves cover the island, and water birds in the area include cormorants, egrets, herons, eagles and gulls. The mainland opposite is a coir village, with a small coir-making unit near the ferry.

The island’s Shiva-Parvathi temple, known locally as Thuruthu Kshethram, is more than 100 years old. Kerala Tourism says the island and temple are owned by the Valiyapurackal family.

Sivarathri is a major temple festival, when devotees spend the night on the island; Mahashivratri also draws large numbers of devotees. If you plan to visit around the festival, confirm local arrangements and access beforehand.

There is no published general visitor schedule, entry fee or list of temple restrictions in Kerala Tourism’s island information. Ask about current access and respect any directions from people responsible for the temple and island. The season, weather and local events in Varkala can also inform how you plan your trip.

Allow for the journey to Nedunganda, the 30-minute crossing in each direction and time on the island. Confirm boat timings before deciding how to fit the trip into your day.

Keep the boat arrangements central to your timing rather than assuming a particular return departure.