“We welcome you to our little paradise on the backwaters of North Kerala, where you can journey along the palm-fringed countryside on the backwaters & discover secluded white-sand beaches.”

~Mr Gul, owner at Oyster Opera.

The backwaters of Kerala that most people know conjure up images of houseboats floating along narrow canals, passing by busy villages and small canoes on the shores. Unlike the much traversed backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, Kasaragod is home to magnificent expanses of the backwaters, often the size of entire rivers with a steady current, fringed with dense coconut plantations, and harboring tiny villages in the heart of these plantations. While traditional fishing boats are a common sight, other houseboats are rare, and your own boat ride could lead you to undiscovered sandy beaches caressed by the waves of the Arabian Sea.

Along one such stretch of the backwaters in the Kasaragod district lies the gorgeous island of Thekkekadu, upon which Oyster Opera stands. Cottages with bamboo, wooden & traditionally tiled roofs open up into the backwaters, some elevated on tree branches and some floating on the water. The island is a treat for nature lovers, who can spend hours lying in a hammock, soaking in the serenity of the backwaters, watching the palm trees sway in the breeze, spotting eagles & kingfishers soaring in the sky, and waving to the occasional boats passing by.

Water enthusiasts can go for a swim in the backwaters, or ride on a boat along the palm-fringed countryside, play in the waves of an isolated beach, and watch the sun paint the backwaters orange & red while setting for the day.

Mr Gul, who owns this land, has been involved in mussel farming to help generate an alternate source of income for the neighboring coastal communities, and will only be happy to let you try your hand at it.

• Lobster & Snail cottage from a distance
• Oyster Opera & Thekkekadu Island
• Lying on a hammock along the backwaters of Kasaragod
• Rejuvenating by the backwaters
• Float House on the backwaters pond
• The island of Thekkekadu
• At a secluded beach across the backwaters
• Rejuvenating by the backwaters
• Waching fishing boats pass by

Accommodation is provided in beautifully crafted cottages made with bamboo, wood, or in traditional Kerala style, using locally sourced materials. True to its name, all 8 cottages at Oyster Opera are named after marine life:

Clam: A laterite stone cottage with an open-rooftop shower, and coconut grudges & hay-thatched roof, facing both the backwaters & the backwater pond.

Crab: A tented cottage facing the backwaters.

Float House: An all-bamboo cottage floating on a pond made by the backwaters, connected to the shore by a wooden jetty. The balcony overlooks both the backwaters & the backwater pond.

Lobster & Snail: A two-storied cane cottage with wooden floors, facing both the backwaters & the backwater pond.

Mussel: A laterite stone cottage with coconut grudges & hay-thatched roof, facing the backwater pond.

Oyster: A laterite stone cottage with an open-rooftop shower, and coconut grudges & hay-thatched roof, facing the backwaters.

Pearl Oyster: An all-wooden tree house raised on stilts, with a hay-thatched roof and a balcony facing the backwaters.

Shrimp: A laterite stone cottage with an open-rooftop shower and traditional Kerala-styled tiled roof, overlooking the backwaters.

The Houseboat: A traditional houseboat overlooking & floating on the backwaters, connected to the shore by a wooden jetty.

Each of these cottages is well furnished with comfortable bedding, attached western-style bathroom & shower, and an attached veranda or balcony.

• Lobster & Snail Cottage
• Float House
• Shrimp Cottage
• The Houseboat
• Pearl Oyster Tree House
• Cosy interior of the rooms
• Western style bathroom
• Open air shower

Food

As the name suggests, Oyster Opera specializes in seafood, obtained from the fishing communities that surround the island of Thekkekadu. These include delicacies ranging from mussels and fish, to prawns, oyster, clam, vegetables & rice puddings.

The spread of vegetarian dishes is as expansive and as deliciously prepared by the in-house chef using seasonal vegetables & curries. All meals are mini buffets, served on a traditional banana leaf.

Activities

You can spend your time at Oyster Opera discovering life in the backwaters, both from the comfort of your hammock & beach chair, and by setting out on a journey through the backwaters.

Activities at & around the island include:

• Boating along the palm-fringed countryside.
• Boat ride to a secluded sandy beach.
• Traditional Kerala massage.
• Island hopping.
• Swimming in the backwaters.
• Boat ride to a Mangrove island.
• Fishing, Mussel farming & Oyster picking.
• Sports like Volleyball & badminton.
• Day trek to Ranipuram & Kottancheri Hills.
• Camping by the Tejaswini River.
• Camping at Sandwich Beach.
• Houseboat cruise on the backwaters.
• Coracle boat ride.
• Day trip to Bekal Fort & Parassinikadavu Temple.
• Ayurvedic treatments.
• Ayurveda courses (3 days – 2 weeks).
• Canoeing on the backwaters.

• Fishing along the backwaters
• Beach picnic on a secluded beach
• Lounging at Oyster Opera
• The backwaters take on a misty aura when it rains
• Discovering the coconut countryside on the backwaters
• Watching the world go
• Sunset on the backwaters

The costs for the cottages, inclusive of stay, breakfast & taxes for two people, are as follows:

• Mussel: INR 4,750
• Crab (tent house): INR 5,000
• Oyster: INR 5,500
• Oyster(A/C): INR 7,000
• Shrimp: INR 5,500
• Shrimp(A/C): INR 7,000
• Clam: INR 5,500
• Lobster: INR 5,500
• Snail: INR 5,500
• Pearl Oyster: INR 5,500
• Floating house: INR 5,500
• House boat(as a cottage): INR 5,500

Cost are inclusive of the following for TWO people:

• Stay
• All meals
• Activities including swimming in the backwaters, boat ride across the backwaters, trip to a secluded beach, and mini beach picnic
• Taxes

Location

Oyster Opera is located on the island of Thekkekadu in Padanna in the Kasaragod district. The closest bus stop & railway station are at Chervattur, from where the island is a 15-minute ride by auto.

Best time to visit

The backwaters of Kasaragod are a delight at all times of the year. In the winter months from October to March, the tropical weather on this coast of India makes it an ideal place to escape the cold of the mountains. The weather becomes warmer between April & June, but the constant sea breeze keeps the shores cool. During the monsoons, the backwaters take on a misty aura, and it’s a pleasure watching the rain pitter-patter on the waters and the palm trees sway beyond, from the comfort of your balcony.

Checklist

Many of us have reservations about going on the roads less travelled. Leave them behind, travel with an open mind, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

• Clothes for swimming & the beach
• Slippers / flip flops for the beach
• Sunscreen, lip balm for the boat ride
• Books to read & write, stationery to paint & draw, basically anything you’ve always loved to do but never get the time for
• Binoculars for bird watching
• Cosmetics you need
• Prescription medicines, if any
• Camera & batteries / charger

Photo Gallery

• Lobster & Snail cottage from a distance
• Oyster Opera & Thekkekadu Island
• Lying on a hammock along the backwaters of Kasaragod
• Rejuvenating by the backwaters
• Float House on the backwaters pond
• The island of Thekkekadu
• At a secluded beach across the backwaters
• Rejuvenating by the backwaters
• Waching fishing boats pass by
• Lobster & Snail Cottage
• Float House
• Shrimp Cottage
• The Houseboat
• Pearl Oyster Tree House
• Cosy interior of the rooms
• Western style bathroom
• Open air shower
• Fishing along the backwaters
• Beach picnic on a secluded beach
• Lounging at Oyster Opera
• The backwaters take on a misty aura when it rains
• Discovering the coconut countryside on the backwaters
• Watching the world go
• Sunset on the backwaters

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Mr Gul, the owner & host at Oyster Opera, became the first Indian to farm mussel on coir and part the technology to the fishing communities in Padanna as a means to generate an alternate source of income. 6000 farmers are now involved in mussel farming, a majority of them being women.

Upon identifying the tourism potential of the region, Mr Gul involved the village folk to meet the recurrent demand for mussel, oysters & clam served as part of the seafood platter to guests at Oyster Opera. For his efforts to uplift the socio-economic standards of the coastal communities, Mr Gul was honoured by a national award from the Government of India. The staff at Oyster Opera comprises of mussel farmers trained to receive guests.

Below are some tips to practice responsible travel while at Thekkekadu:

• Pack your bags with environmentally friendly things. Carry as little plastic as possible.
• Do not leave behind any non-biodegradable waste.
• What you wear has an impact – environmentally and culturally – dress ethically and appropriately.
• Respect the local culture and refrain from physical intimacy in public places.
• Carry a good water bottle. Filtered water is available in the kitchen for refilling your bottle. Refrain from buying numerous plastic mineral water bottles.
• Local food is great. Try it as much as possible and avoid packaged food. Ask for modifications in the food according to your taste, instead of wasting it.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and refrain from drugs, especially in public places.
• Seek permission before photographing people, so their privacy is respected.
• Do not pluck any medicinal plants & flowers, and do not disturb the wildlife.