destinations
chendamangalam
Chendamangalam, the nearby village is famous for its traditional handloom industry. It was the headquarters of Paliath Achan, the chief minister of the King of Cochin. The palace built for Paliath Achan by the Dutch East India Company is a site worth visiting in Chendamangalam.
cherai beach
The pleasant and sunny beach of Cherai is about 10 km. from the Big Banana Island. The clean and spacious beach and the lagoon are ideal spots for sunbathing and swimming. There is a tourism festival at Cherai Beach in the month of December.
pattanam excavation site
The village of Pattanam, where archaeological excavations have unearthed remains of the famous ancient port city of Muziris is only 5 km. from the Big Banana Island. The pattanam excavations started in 2007, and has yielded significant discoveries including tell tale signs of Roman presence in the region about 2000 years ago.
kottayil kovilakam
Kottayil Kovilakam is another village just across the river. The oldest existing Jewish Synagogue in India can be seen at Kottayil Kovilakam.
kochi
The island city of Kochi is about 30 km. south of the Big Banana Island. The fort at Kochi was built in 1503 AD by the Portuguese. The region around Fort Kochi with its multi-ethnic character and colonial remains is an important tourist destination. The beaches lined with gigantic Chinese fishing nets, spice markets, antique shops and the Jewish synagogue are well known attractions of Kochi.
cheraman juma masjid
Cheraman Juma Masjid, built in 629 AD, during the lifetime of prophet Muhammed, is 9 km. North of the Big Banana Island. It is the oldest mosque in India. The mosque is built in traditional Kerala architectural style.
kodungallur bharani
Kodungallur town is at a distance of 10 km from the island. The ancient Bhagavathi temple of Kodungallur has its annual festivalin Kerala during April-May, when a congregation of oracles gather at the temple from all over Kerala. It is one of the grandest of Kerala's temple festivals. The culmination of the festival is a carnivalesque event, with people singing and dancing to frenzy, in the temple precincts.
forts
The Pallippuram and Kottappuram forts, about 10 and 9 km. respectively from the Big Banana Island are remains of the colonial era. Pallippuram fort was built by the Portuguese in 1503 AD, and is one of the oldest extant European structures in Asia. Kottappuram fort was built in 1523 AD.