SCENIC POOVAR ISLAND & GLEAMING GOLDEN SAND BEACH- KERALA TRIP

Poovar is just about 17 kms from Kovalam. The journey to Poovar started in a Speed Boat. Before starting we were shown a beautifully made huge picture book. The guide with great expertise explained the places through which the speed boat will take us and what all we get to see during the 45 minutes journey. I thought the trip would be similar to one we had experienced in Allepey backwaters. I was wrong in my anticipation. It was an entirely different

 

On Neyyar River moving towards Poovar

 

On our Motor boat

We started our onward journey to the Poovar Estuary through the Neyyar River on a four seated motor boat. Cruising through Neyyar River, we first crossed the Mangroves forest with wild trees, shrubs, mangroves and coconut groves on either side. It was a different experience cruising through narrow canals surrounding mangroves, listening to song of birds and rustling tree leaves.

Crossing the narrow canals

Did you see the movie Black Water?? The storyline had three travelers travelling through mangroves swamp in a motor boat and they were trapped by a huge crocodile. The sight was similar and we were in Motor boat as well. In apprehension I asked the guide if there could be crocodiles in the river.  But he assured that there were none.  

The mangroves

Crossing the mangroves forest

After the mangroves, we saw the bird sanctuary at one side of the lake. We could see few of the rarely seen birds. There were white eagle soaring high in the sky, kingfishers diving down and then flying up with a fish in its beak, and few more I couldn’t identify.

 

A snap of a bird unknown while crossing the bird's sanctuary

 

Sailing along, we reached Poovar, an astonishing island, a place where the Neyyar river, Poovar Lake and  Viraly lake joins the Arabian sea forming a beautiful estuary and hence the name Estaury Island comes into being. 

 

Beautiful Estuary

 

We could see the Golden Sand beach on one side and the resort chains with floating cottages and floating restaurants on the other.

The floating cottages of Poovar Island

 We initially planned for an overnight stay in Poovar Island and book one of the floating cottages. But we made a wise decision of not going overboard and spend Rs. 15,000/- a night just to get a hovering cottage experience.

The floating restaurants

Rather, go to a Floating restaurant for a quick bite. You can witness the whole of Poovar Island, Estaury and Golden Sand Beach from the upper deck. This is a good bargain experience ;)).

   

 

 

 

 

 

Going towards the Golden Sand Beach, the sight was such as if the lake was separated from the sea by a thin golden strip of land.

Golden Sand Beach

 

This beach was special and very different from the other  beaches I have seen. By all means it is a very different piece of cake. A thin strip of land made of sand; totally miraculous and unexplored.

Gorgeous!!

 

The playful times

 

@golden sand beach... and it is amazing out here

She sells sea shells on the sea shore ;)

The Golden Sand Beach was not crowded. In fact, the sea birds outnumbered the humans present there. The water surrounding us was crystal blue green in color.

We had amazing time here and the place is etched in memories forever. For any acquaintance planning to visit Kerala, I would urge not to miss trip to Poovar and Golden Sand Beach. Enveloped by the most serene backwaters and opening out to the Sea and a dream golden beach, it is quite a miss not to come here. 

Here are few beautiful clicks:-

Fresh Coconut water and perfect beach side chilling

By our ferry