‘Backwater Paradise’- The largest and longest lake in Kerala as well as India’s longest lake, Vembanad Lake ( Vembanad Kayal ) is the pride of Kerala’s tourism chart. This majestic Arabian Sea tributary is one of the finest backwater destinations all over the world. The Rice Bowl of Kerala- Kuttanad- is situated on the southern shores of Vembanad Lake. Therefore many call this lake ‘Kuttanadan Lake’ as well. Along with that, the picturesque Vembanad Lake has other names such as Vembanad Kol, Punnamada Lake (in Kuttanad), and Kochi Lake (in Kochi). It is spread across numerous districts in Kerala and covers more than 2033.02 square kilometers. In the lake, four rivers originate, Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala. The inlets, lagoons, and canal waterways of this National Waterway have a combined length of over 196 km in the north and south directions, and 29 km in the east and west directions. Water transport can be used to access almost all the villages in this region.
As a serene backwater location, the lake offers a refreshing view of shimmering water, boats of various sizes, and a flying view of rare and migrant birds in the clear sky. Home to the third-largest waterfowl population in India, this lake boasts a variety of shrimps as well. The finest tourism attractions that you can find nearby are farming, angling, water navigation, sailing, coir production, and lime shell collecting. In addition to its scenic beauty and houseboat cruising, this lake is renowned for the world-famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race as well. The race, which is a major symbol of Kerala culture, pulling in tourists from across the globe, is conducted in August every year in this lake. Marked as Kerala’s largest of the three Ramsar Sites in the state, the Vembanad Wetland system, after the Sundarbans in West Bengal- is the second-largest Ramsar site in India. An outstanding feature of the lake is called the Thanneermukkom barrier which is a 1252 m long saltwater barrier constructed to prevent saltwater encroachment into Kuttanad. Another attraction nearby is the Kottappuram–Kollam division of the west coast canal that spans around 209 km, covering a major part of the Vembanad Lake.