Pichavaram Boat House

Pichavaram Boat House is the main boating facility for the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, about 15 km from Chidambaram. Operated by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, it provides access to the world's second largest mangrove forest covering about 1,100 hectares. The site is notable for its intricate network of water channels, islets and dense mangrove vegetation at the confluence of the Vellar and Coleroon rivers.

Visitors can expect a jetty and ticket counter leading to row boats and motor boats that navigate narrow channels and broad waterways through dense mangrove forest. The setting includes calm backwaters, small islets, root formations and birdlife. Boating routes pass through tunnels of mangrove canopy and open lagoons. Facilities include waiting areas, parking and food stalls. The experience is primarily a guided boat ride with sightseeing and photography opportunities.

Pichavaram mangrove forest is a natural estuarine formation at the confluence of the Vellar and Coleroon rivers, traditionally supporting local fishing communities. The Boat House was developed by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to promote eco-tourism and provide regulated access to the mangrove waterways.

The mangrove ecosystem holds ecological and livelihood significance for local fishing communities and is recognized as an important natural heritage and eco-tourism site in Tamil Nadu, valued for biodiversity conservation and environmental education.