The short answer
Kuruva Island: what visitors should know first
Check current status before planning around it; Kuruva Island has remained closed well into recent seasons even as other sites reopened. If it is open, it suits families and nature-focused travellers who enjoy a slow walk rather than a physical challenge.
Useful facts
Kuruva Island facts at a glance
- Location
- Kabani river, near Mananthavady
- Experience type
- Uninhabited river-island forest walk, reached by raft or boat
- Known for
- Rare orchids, herbs and birdlife across roughly 950 acres
- Access
- Normally open October–May; has remained closed in several recent seasons
- Time or schedule
- 9 am–4:30 pm when open, closed Mondays, in a typical season
Why it matters
Why Kuruva Island is worth your time
Kuruva Island is one of the few genuinely undeveloped natural spaces left on Wayanad's itinerary, an island system shaped entirely by the Kabani river rather than by plantation or dam engineering, which is why its biodiversity, orchids, birds, old-growth trees, draws naturalists rather than casual sightseers.
Its prolonged closure since 2024 is also a useful marker for how cautiously Kerala's forest authorities have approached river and forest access in Wayanad since the district's landslide disaster and the wildlife-related eco-tourism shutdown earlier that year. For travellers, it is a reminder that a district guidebook description of a place as open is not a guarantee; always check current status for river and forest sites specifically.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The river crossing
A short bamboo raft or boat ride over the Kabani river to reach the island, part of the appeal in itself.
- 02
The forest walk
Marked paths through dense, largely untouched forest with orchids, herbs and old trees.
- 03
The birdlife
A good range of forest and riverine birds, making this a rewarding stop for casual birdwatchers.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Kuruva Island, or Kuruvadweep, is a cluster of uninhabited islets spread across roughly 950 acres in the Kabani river near Mananthavady, held together by dense stands of bamboo, wild orchids and old rainforest trees. In a normal season it opens from October to May and closes for the monsoon months, since the river simply submerges the crossing points when it rises.
When open, the visit usually starts with a short bamboo raft or boat crossing from the mainland, followed by a walk on marked paths through the forest, sometimes including a rope or bamboo bridge over a side channel. Birdwatchers come for a good range of forest and water birds, and the general appeal is simply walking through untouched river-island forest that feels distinctly different from Wayanad's plantation-covered hills.
The complication is that Kuruva has been treated more cautiously than other Wayanad sites since the district's 2024 safety reviews, and reports through 2025 describe it staying shut even as places like Chembra Peak and Soochipara Falls reopened with restrictions. Treat any specific opening claim with caution and confirm directly before building a day around it.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm current open/closed status before travelling, ideally the same week
- Have a backup plan (Pookode Lake or a plantation walk) in case it is shut
- Wear shoes that can get wet for the raft crossing
- Avoid the monsoon months, when it is reliably closed regardless of other rules
- Keep to marked paths; this is managed forest land, not a public park
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kabani river, near Mananthavady
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours if open
- Best time
- October to May in a normal year, outside monsoon; always confirm the current season's status
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The island paths are largely flat, shaded forest trails, and the crossing is a short boat or raft ride rather than a swim. The main limits are the crossing itself, which needs reasonably steady footing to board, and the total distance if you choose to walk the full loop.
- Tickets and access
- Kuruva Island has faced repeated closures since a wider Wayanad eco-tourism shutdown began in February 2024, and it remained closed even after several other sites reopened through 2024 and into 2025. Check the Kerala Forest Department's current status directly before travelling, since there is no fixed reopening date at the time of writing.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kuruva Island
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The island paths are largely flat, shaded forest trails, and the crossing is a short boat or raft ride rather than a swim. The main limits are the crossing itself, which needs reasonably steady footing to board, and the total distance if you choose to walk the full loop.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Kuruva Island open right now?
It is not reliably open. Reports through 2024 and into 2025 describe it staying closed even as other Wayanad eco-tourism sites reopened, so check current status with the Kerala Forest Department before planning around it.
How do you get onto Kuruva Island?
By a short bamboo raft or boat crossing from the mainland riverbank, when the site is open.
Why does Kuruva Island close every year?
It closes for the monsoon months because the Kabani river rises and submerges the crossing points; in recent years it has also faced longer closures tied to wider safety reviews.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
