Canoeing in Paravur Backwaters

Paravur Backwaters is one of the lesser known, tightly kept secret locations in southern Kerala. The Paravur Backwaters is safe and a sheltered waterbody, without much influence of the tidal effects. You can be assured of the safety as the depth of the lake, in general, is not more than 10 feet and not wider than 1 km. This ensures you don't paddle out and lose orientation in unknown waters. There are no motorboats in the waterbody to cause wake or noise pollution. Paravur Backwaters is part of the West Coast Canal System and connects it to the NW3 National Waterway between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. You will find it a truly unique place to paddle as it is also the meeting point of seawater from the Arabian Sea and freshwater from Ithikkara River. The paddling centre is located on a tiny sandbar that sits between the Arabian Sea and Paravur Backwaters with direct access to both water bodies.

Highlights:

• Parking, washroom and locker room facilities,
• Shack to sit back and view backwaters after the trip to relax
• Beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea

Itinerary

• Catch sight of sustainable fishing methods performed by indigenous fishermen using Kattumarams (a unique fishing craft that exists only on the coast from Kanyakumari to Kollam).
• Paddle to the sandbar and spoil yourself with photographs. The sandbar may be submerged in the water level is high due to the surge in river flow and high tide.
• Get a glimpse of the spillway bridge from the sandbar that controls the inflow of seawater and outflow of the river.
• Meet the Indian Railway bridge that passes across the Paravur Backwaters above your head level. You can safely paddle through between the spans of the Railway bridge. You may be lucky to spot a train.
• Discover a small temple located on a tiny island. If you are a believer, take it as a chance to pray in a small island in total privacy without the occupancy of the crowd.
• Discover the untouched mangrove forest belt and birds.
• Paddle through narrow canals and amidst riparian vegetation and coconut lagoons.