Marine Drive is a 2km walkway facing the Kochi backwaters is a popular hangout and the happening place in Ernakulam City.
Ernakulam Marine Drive area seen from the Cochin Backwaters
Towards the north end of the Marine Drive is a ferry point to Bolgatty Island popularly known as the High Court Jetty, and towards the south end is the Ernakulam Jetty, from where you can get ferry to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Vypin Island.
Marine Drive is also a popular shopping destination. The GCDA Shopping Complex and Bay Pride Mall adjacent to it are areas dotted with a great number of food joints.
Somewhere south of the walkway you'll find a footbridge popularly called the Rainbow Bridge across the Mullaserry canal that empties into the backwaters. Climb up, this is a vantage point to see the harbor across the bank.
You'll also find a number of small boat jetties as you walk along, these are packing with fun ride boat services.
Further south of the Marine drive, beyond the Ernakulam Jetty is a large tree lined park, called Subhash Park also facing the backwaters.
In fact the entire 3km stretch starting for the Subash Park in the south to the High Court Jetty in the north is a leisure , eat-out, hangout zone in Kochi.
How to reach Marine Drive?
Running parallel to the Marine Drive is the busy Shanmughan road. There are frequent bus service to this place from almost anywhere from the city. Ask for a city bus via Jetty/Menaka/High Court.
Get down at Jetty for the Southern of the Marine Drive (Subash Park, Children's Park etc). Get Down at Menaka , this is where most of the highlights of the Marine Drive is. For the northern end of Marine Drive (Ferry to Bolghatty etc) get down at the High Court Junction.