Take a row boat for better experience of the place. They are for Rs 400 for 4 people for 1hr. The boatman will ask if you want to go extra and will charge extra 300 for it. Go coz the scenery is best in those parts. Now after you come out your taxi driver will take you to eat local seafood. But don’t don’t go to eat there. They are cheaters. In the name of fish curry they will give a inch of fish tail and prawn curry is one small button in some plates and none in some. Had very bad experience. One thin sliched piece of king fish fry was for Rs 190 🤣 even exotic seafood restaurants won’t charge that much. Also the driver put his lunch in our bill. So don’t don’t don’t eat there. Move out and eat outside anywhere.

Would highly recommend . Simply beautiful and mesmerising experience . We were in twominds whether to make the effort of 2 hours car ride from Pondicherry; I would say it’s totally worth it. Here are some tips : 1. Definitely go for row boat option and NOT the motor boat option. The row boat explores deeper parts ; there is no noise of motor ; you will be able to hear the silence and chirping of birds if on row boat . 2. The rowing people are making lots of effort . They will offer to take you into deeper parts of the mangroves . Should definitely go for that offer . It will add 20 mins to your ride ; getting to unbelievable sections of mangroves . We paid 500 bucks for that additional experience and felt it was worth it ; especially the time spent to reach there . 3. Get there early . It will let you get you first set of boats and you can enjoy the boat ride without the harsh sun . We got there by 8:40 am and there was already a small queue . They start selling tickets by around 8:50 am . We got the first set of boats and were back by 10 am and sun was not harsh till then .

Today, I traveled to the mangrove forest popularly known as Pichawaram Forest. I traveled from Pondicherry and there are two ways to travel to the forest: First - By taking public bus from New Bus Stand to Chidambram Forest (Rs 100 per person) and then booking auto from Chidambaram bus stand to the forest. (Rs 800 both side including waiting charge) Second - By renting a cab (Rs 3000 around trip) We hired a row boat which is actually recommended since it will go to inner areas and deep forest where motor boats can’t go. The boat charges is Rs 450 per boat. However, rower will ask for extra Rs 500 for going to deep forest which is actually the main part of the boating. It’s actually a scenic ride with lush green forest, mesmerising trees, large canopies, water animals and lots of fun. The best part of the trip is the deep forest ride which the rower will go only after taking Rs 500 extra charge and its totally worth it. I will recommend to go for it!!!!

we had a joy trip for 3 days , on the way to chidambaram ,we visited this place taken a boat for us since we 6 of them. we had WOW experience , had feel that we are in some other country. chill water , nice brieeze .we had a 1.20 mts trip enjoyed very well.

Very serene . 2nd largest mangroves next to Sundarbans in india. 15kms from Chidambaram. Timngs 9am to 4p. Go early to avoid Queues. Basic toilet facilities.TTDC has boating rowboat,motor boat options. Take the row boat as estuaries are narrow and these can manoeuvre not motor boats. Row boats take you deeper into the mangroves too for an extra charge. Water depth is 2 metres . Popular location for south indian film shooting.There are restaurants with veg ,sea food options.prawn and shell fishing done here.

Considering its uniqueness and vastness- this cant be missed if you are nearby like Pondicherry. Govt boat rates are reasonable. Its pure magical to navigate through the narrow mangrove forest with their roots above your head.

Beautiful place even though offbeat. You will be pleasantly surprised once you reach there. Boating available from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. Row boats & motor boats both available. However motor boats need more number of people. A very enjoyable experience. Also on the way back there are many locals offering sea food at small restaurants. Most have converted the front portion of their homes to restaurants. A very good spread of sea food available at very reasonable prices. Definitely not to be missed

Today 29th July we visited the Pichavaram Mangrove forest around 1 pm. It's such a peaceful and quiet place. We took a motor boat for 5 members. The boat man did not understand Hindi or english. This was the main problem, at the ticket booking counter I think we should mention this. He was not able to click pics too. We enjoyed ourselves. He charged 500 extra saying I'll show you 4 more points. Overall it was a wonderful experience 😍