Join us on our Paravur Lake and Backwaters combo adventure as we paddle in both the saltwater and the freshwater in one trip.
This trip is suitable for those with little or no previous kayaking experience but participants are expected to have a reasonable level of fitness. There is a pre-trip safety briefing and instructions on basic paddling skills before the tour begins as it is a long-distance trip. You will be able to progress your kayaking skills under the guidance of our expert guides.
Mangrove forest kayaking trip begins at Syzygy and aims to cross the Lower Paravur Lake by paddling, straight through between the spans of rail bridge, with a bearing of east 092º. After crossing the railway bridge, we change the bearing to east 028º and aim for the Chithan Thampuran Temple Island. We stop here for a short break of five minutes to get down and relax. It is a very unique divine place in the middle of lake.
We then proceed to Mangrove Forest by keeping the bearing at east 022º to enter from the southwest end. The majority of the mangrove forest land is a private property and we recommend all persons to maintain silence and do not disturb the ecosystem which is a habitat of rare wildlife including birds, turtles and fish.
The mangrove forest has two narrow canals in the shape of L and we slowly paddle inside the channels admiring the natural beauty of the mangrove forest. The paddling speed must be dropped to less than 1 km/hour so that manoeuvring inside the canals are within the skill sets of beginners and helps to avoid getting stuck in the sidewalls of mangrove roots. The entire tunnel inside the mangrove forest is less than half a kilometre trip and takes about 20 to 30 minutes for covering this distance.
We then exit the mangrove forest area and proceed downstream, keeping the Chithan Thampuran Temple Island to our right and pass the rail bridge. After passing the rail bridge, we maintain southwest 247º and aim for landing at the Black Devil Snail Sandbar. While approaching the sandbar, please look for suitable landing sand-flat which is free of any hard shells of gastropods or mussels to avoid damaging the hulls of kayaks as well as to avoid bodily cuts or injuries.
If the Black Devil Snail Sandbar is submerged during the rainy season, then the trip is guided to the largest sandbar which is stable and remains above water level at all times. The largest sandbar has a bay shaped area which provides ample space for large gathering and parking of kayaks.
Black Devil Snail Sandbar is a very ideal location for a well deserving break from the urban fast paced life. This intertidal flat is surrounded with fine sand and provides a unique trail in the waterbody for a walk or swimming. It is possible for walking between sandbars during low water level. If guests are interested for walking between the sandbars, please request the Team Lead Guide for support.
After a short break, we will relaunch the kayaks and paddle with a direction of west 299º to finish the trip at Syzygy.
Note: If time is limited due to slow pace of paddlers or if they are tired or available light is insufficient due to sunset, then landing on the sandbar for short break can be avoided or skipped to save a little bit of distance/efforts/time towards the end of journey.
