Muttukadu boat house
Muttukadu in Chennai offers one of the city's most beautiful outing options. Located on the ECR, the backwaters make it a perfect spot for boating. The TTDC took the opportunity and did a really great job of providing its visitors with a safe, affordable, and fun-filled weekend picnic place. The boating experience offers a chance to witness the natural habitat of many different plants, trees, birds, and some water creatures. You might see a lot of crabs.
The ticket prices are fixed and can be bought at the counter using UPI or cards. Cash is no longer accepted. The entry and vehicle parking also have separate fees. The entrance fee costs ₹10 per person for anyone above the age of 5. Check below for the prices of the different types of boats available.
All these charges are inclusive of 18% GST.
| Types of boats | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2-seater water scooter | 3 minutes | ₹600 |
| 3-seater speed boat | 10 minutes | ₹1200 |
| 8-seater motor boat | 20 minutes | ₹1050 |
| 10-seater motor boat | 20 minutes | ₹1300 |
| 3-seater rowboat | 30 minutes | ₹350 |
| 4-seater rowboat | 30 minutes | ₹450 |
Personally, I would recommend going with the motorboats, as they can go a little deep inside the backwaters and also have a steady pace for a peaceful viewing. The drivers of these boats definitely know how to keep us entertained in a safe way. There are enough life jackets in stock, available in sizes for adults as well as for kids.
The birds trying to fish, or get their wings dry, or just float around on the water would offer the kids something new to watch up close. Try spotting the large pink crabs along the shores.
Timings
The boat house is open on all 7 days for visitors. Some boats may not be available all the time due to repair and maintenance. So, be open to options.
The business hours start at 9 AM and close at 6 PM.
Parking facility
There is ample space for parking all over the venue. Some vehicles can be parked near the entrance, and more of them could be parked inside. It can be safely assumed that these spots won’t fill up even during peak hours.
2-wheelers cost ₹10, and cars cost ₹30. Auto-rickshaws, vans, and buses are also allowed to park for ₹20, ₹40, and ₹60, respectively. These are one-time charges paid upfront and do not add up based on duration.
Food and Snacks
There is a restaurant inside the premises, along with snack counters such as a popcorn stall, an ice-cream stall, and beverages stall. The prices are fixed and displayed on the menu. The restaurant has a range of menu items with both veg and meat options, and a good dining area to eat comfortably.
Water-facing benches are also provided if you like to sit and enjoy your snacks while sightseeing the scenery. These spots are covered with trees for shade.
Hand-washing basins and dustbins are provided for convenience. Visitors are expected to use the bins to help keep the place neat and clean.
Washroom facilities are also provided with gender marking. The inside of these facilities seems to be well maintained for visitors’ use.
Travel
This boating spot is located around 6 kms from Kelambakkam, 21 kms from Thiruvanmiyur, and 22 kms from Mamallapuram. It will be hard to miss the place as it is clearly visible from the river bridge that passes above it. Even this bridge provides a great viewpoint for sunrise.
It is very convenient to reach using your own vehicle, even though there is a bus stop located right outside the service road leading to the entrance. You may catch any bus that goes to Tiruvanmiyur or Mamallapuram, based on the place you board. From Kelambakkam, make use of the bypass road that connects ECR with OMR to reach faster.
The ECR offers a lot of getaway places for weekend entertainment at the edge of Chennai. The amusement parks, theme parks, beaches, Mahabalipuram, and more. Make a plan that can accommodate as many spots as you can, so you get enough time to spend at each location for another great experience on your holidays.
