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One unique element of Kerala backwaters can be found in the form of saltwater lakes, which boast both flora and fauna in their surroundings. Salt water lakes in Kerala support vibrant fishing communities, tourism, and inland navigation, including brackish lagoons of coastal lagoons. Several of these lakes drain into the Arabian Sea, impacting coastal livelihoods and estuarine ecosystems. Houseboats, canoe rides and birdwatching lure visitors looking for peaceful pursuits. Sustainable tourism and conservation efforts are needed to ensure that they can continue to thrive in their natural habitats whilst providing work for local communities.
10 Popular Saltwater Lakes In Kerala
Following are some of the known salt water lakes in Kerala that contribute to the ecological beauty of the state.
1. Vembanad Lake
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons
Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest and longest lake, spans the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. It is a Ramsar-listed wetland that nurtures mangroves, marshes, and migratory birds, including Siberian cranes and painted storks. Built to halt saltwater from the Arabian Sea, the Thanneermukkom Bund divides the lake into brackish and freshwater blocks. Punnamada hosts the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which draws thousands every year. The eastern banks are home to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a haven for wetland species. Traditional livelihoods of the lake are pokkali farming, clam collection, and inland fishing.
Length: 96.5 km (longest in India)
Major Islands: Pathiramanal, Perumbalam, Pallippuram
Best Time To Visit: November to February
2. Ashtamudi Lake
Photo: Arunvrparavur / Wikimedia Commons
Ashtamudi Lake, or “eight coned,” is the second largest estuarine system in Kerala, with a surface area of 61.4 sq km in Kollam district. It is renowned for its palm-lined beaches, Chinese fishing nets and the Kollam-Alappuzha boat ride that takes 8 hours. The lake is a centre of coir and cashew industries, and fishing communities line its banks. The Kallada River, which pours its water into Ashtamudi, creates a complex wetland ecosystem that hosts mangroves, otters and kingfishers, among others. Through the Neendakara-Azheekal estuary, the lake opens straight to the Arabian Sea, and it has become one of the most active fishing harbours in Kerala.
Best Time To Visit: August to September, November to February
Major Islands: Munroe Island, Chavara Thekkumbhagom
3. Kayamkulam Lake
Photo: Arunvrparavur / Wikimedia Commons
Kayamkulam Lake is a shallow lagoon located across Alappuzha and Kollam, connected to the Arabian Sea via the Kayamkulam Bar. It was once an important inland waterway for trade, especially of spices, coir, and timber. This salt water lake in Kerala is also well known for the Kayamkulam Fishing Harbour, one of the most active prawn and clam industries in Kerala. By controlling salinity, the Thottappally Spillway keeps Kuttanad from flooding. A Chinese fishing net belt accommodates the lake, which is home to herons, terns, and waterfowl.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Waterway Connectivity: Linked to Ashtamudi and Vembanad
4. Kochi Lake
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kochi Lake is a critical component of the Vembanad backwaters, surrounding Kochi city. It opens to the Arabian Sea through the Cochin Estuary, which is home to one of India’s largest ports. Its shores are flanked by the Marine Drive promenade, Bolgatty Island, and Fort Kochi, making this a picturesque yet commercialised waterbody. Most of its stretches are occupied by the Vallarpadam Container Terminal and shipyards, leaving little room for customary fishing activities. It is also of great importance for Kochi tourism and transport with ferry services linking Willingdon Island, Vypeen and even Mattancherry.
Best Time To Visit: October to February, June to September
Major Islands: Bolgatty, Willingdon, Vallarpadam
5. Chettuva Lake
Photo: Shagil Kannur / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Chettuva Lake is one of the lesser-known but ecologically significant salt water lakes in Kerala. It is rimmed by thick mangrove forests that shelter mudskippers, kingfishers, and otters. The lake is linked with the Arabian Sea via the Chettuva estuary and is very important for the inland fishery economy of Kerala. Here, several traditional Kettuvallam (houseboats) keep running for more tranquil blackout modes for making fewer commercialised experiences. The mixing point of seawater and river water here, called Chettuva Azhimukham, is a unique ecological zone.
District: Thrissur
Best Time To Visit: March to May, November to February
Major Wildlife: Mangrove crabs, estuarine birds
6. Edava-Nadayara Lake
Photo: Ikroos / Wikimedia Commons
Between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, Edava-Nadayara Lake opens to the Arabian Sea through narrow estuarine creeks. This lake is still relatively untrammelled by mass tourism, making it a peaceful retreat. Local livelihoods especially depend on prawn and mussel farming, which are influenced by seasonal salinity variations. The lakeside is peppered with coconut groves and Pokkali rice fields, a unique variety of farming systems that flourishes in saltwater. The lake is at its most beautiful at dusk when the sandbars that separate the lake from the sea make a surreal contrast between the placid backwaters and the crashing waves.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Districts: Thiruvananthapuram & Kollam
Nearby Attractions: Edava Beach, Kappil Beach
7. Paravur Lake
Photo: Navaneeth Krishnan S / Wikimedia Commons
Paravur Lake, a picturesque salt water lake in Kerala, opens to the Arabian Sea through an estuarine mouth. This natural tidal exchange makes it a flood tide for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, supporting the local fishing community. The shores of the lake are now home to the Pozhikkara Beach sandbar, where fresh and seawater convergence forms an estuarine environment. It is also a layover for migratory birds such as herons and sandpipers. Less commercialised than Vembanad or Ashtamudi, canoe rides and views of the estuary lure locals and visitors who want a gentle, backwater experience. Traditional family prawn farming and clam collection are still important means of sustaining livelihoods here.
Location: Kollam
Key Attractions: Pozhikkara Beach, Paravur Estuary
Best Time To Visit: September to December
Where To Stay
Photo: നിരക്ഷരൻ / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Around any salt water lakes in Kerala, there are many options from homestays to luxurious resorts. Ashtamudi Lake has resorts like Club Mahindra Ashtamudi, and Chettuva Lake has eco-friendly resorts such as Kadappuram Beach Resort. Budget beachside stays for those visiting the Paravur and Edava-Nadayara Lakes area include the Cliff Edge Beach Resort close to Varkala.
Where To Eat
Photo: Rekhashastry / Wikimedia Commons
Some of the finest seafood served happens in Kerala’s saltwater lakes. Mullapanthal Toddy Shop, on the banks of Vembanad Lake, serves spicy Karimeen and toddy. For affordable, filling meals, head to Indian Coffee House near Ashtamudi. Local eateries near Paravur Lake’s Pozhikkara Beach peddle fresh mussels and squid. Such lakefront dining experiences showcase Kerala’s deep coastal flavours.
Salt water lakes in Kerala are not just a scenic destination but also a lifeline for biodiversity, fisheries, and cultural traditions. Practices such as environmentally responsible travel, conservation efforts led by local communities, and conscious tourism are fundamental to maintaining these delicate ecosystems for generations to come. Plan your trip with TripXL as it is the lakes of Kerala that keep the symphony alive between nature and human livelihood and form an inseparable part of Kerala’s heritage.
Cover Photo: Raviz Hotels and Resorts / Wikimedia Commons
