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.
We started our onward journey to the Poovar Estuary through the Neyyar River on a four seater 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.
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.
After the mangroves, we saw the bird sanctuary at one side of the lake. 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.
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. We could see the Golden Sand beach on one side and the resort chains with floating cottages and floating restaurants on the other.
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. 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. 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.
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. I would suggest 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:-
