Manakudi Estuary

Manakudi Estuary is a coastal wetland near Manakudi village in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, where the Pazhayar River meets the Arabian Sea. Noted for its dense mangrove forests, brackish-water lagoon and rich biodiversity, it is an important habitat for migratory birds and marine life. The estuary offers tranquil backwaters, traditional fishing activity and sunset views, making it a notable eco-tourism and birdwatching site near Kanyakumari town.

Visitors can expect a tranquil estuarine landscape where a shallow lagoon, mangrove thickets and sandbars meet the sea. The area offers views of fishing boats, mangrove-lined channels, and a wide water expanse ideal for photography and birdwatching. A small boating facility allows short rides through mangroves, and an elevated viewpoint provides panoramic views of the estuary, beach and sunset. The surroundings are rural and quiet with a fishing village setting.

The estuary supports the traditional fishing livelihood of Manakudi village and is valued locally for its mangrove ecosystem which helps protect the coast and sustain fisheries.