Paravur: Beach, Lake and Backwater Landscape

Paravur draws attention to its beach, lake and landscape where the sea meets the backwaters. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your trip around these waterscapes: should the beach and lake be the main focus, or would you like to include a kayaking trip as a possible activity? The different waterscapes offer distinct points of reference for planning.

Beach, Lake and Estuary

The draft municipal tourism master plan lists Thekkumabhagam Beach as one of Paravur’s tourist attractions. Paravoor Thekkumbhagam is designated as “Beach” and “Beach & Lake.” In the Pozhikkara and Thekkumbhagam area of Paravur, the estuary where the sea meets the backwaters is considered scenically attractive. Three elements shape the waterside theme: the named beach, the beach-and-lake designation, and the scenic transition between the sea and the backwaters. If the scenery matters more to you than a long list of individual activities, these features offer a useful thread for planning your trip.

Kayaking Route on Paravur Lake

Paravur Lake is about four kilometres from the town of Paravur. A kayaking route passes through mangrove forest to Black Devil Snail Sandbar Island. This specific water activity adds a different perspective to the beach and estuary landscape: instead of focusing only on the coastal and lake setting, you can consider a trip through the mangroves as part of your plans. Check in advance whether such tours are currently operating and available to book. The lake’s approximate distance from the town is a location detail to consider when choosing your preferred starting point.

Kollam: More Travel Options

Two boat races in the wider destination of Kollam follow different calendars. The President’s Trophy Boat Race takes place every year on 1 November, Kerala Piravi Day, on Ashtamudi Lake; organisers may change the date, so it is worth checking the event details closer to the time. The Kallada Boat Race takes place annually on the 28th day of the Onam festival on the Kallada River near Munroe Island. Since Onam falls in August or September and follows the Malayalam calendar, check this date separately. The two races therefore differ in both setting and calendar.

The wider destination of Kollam also offers different water-based experiences: traditional Kerala houseboats, known as kettuvallams, operate on Ashtamudi Lake. Munroe Island, also known as Munrothuruthu, lies at the confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River. Backwater cruises and canoe trips through a network of canals and waterways are offered there. Visitors to Munroe Island can also observe the traditional production of coir products: the process runs from extracting the fibre to weaving mats and ropes. In Kollam, boat trips and canoe tours are thus complemented by a glimpse of a traditional craft.

In the wider destination of Kollam, Thenmala offers a different kind of trip. Thenmala is India’s first planned ecotourism destination and part of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a biodiversity hotspot with a great variety of flora and fauna. Nature walks in the Thenmala Ecotourism zones are considered easy and informative and are suitable for all age groups. Activities offered there include mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing; their availability may vary depending on operations. Thenmala thus contrasts with Kollam’s water-based experiences, with nature walks and active pursuits taking centre stage.

Discover more destinations: Haripad, Ambalapuzha, Thodupuzha, Kodur, Nileshwar, Kumbalam, Kannur, Methala

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