Ousteri Lake / Ossudu Lake Puducherry Entry Fee
- No Entry Fee
Ousteri Lake / Ossudu Lake Puducherry Phone
N/A
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 39 reviews
Ousteri Lake / Ossudu Lake Puducherry Address: Osudu Lake, Puducherry, 605001, India
Ousteri Lake / Ossudu Lake Puducherry Boat Ride Price
| Boating | Seating Capacity | Trip Details | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Boat | 1 person (Adults) | Short Trip (15 Mins) | 100 |
| Motor Boat | 1 person (Adults) | Long Trip (Half Hour) | 180 |
| Motor Boat | 1 person (Children 5 to 10 yrs) | Short Trip (15 Mins) | 60 |
| Motor Boat | 1 person (Children 5 to 10 yrs) | Long Trip (Half Hour) | 100 |
| Peddal Boat | 2 | Short Trip (Half Hour) | 100 |
| Peddal Boat | 2 | Long Trip (One Hour) | 180 |
| Peddal Boat | 4 | Short Trip (Half Hour) | 180 |
| Peddal Boat | 4 | Long Trip (One Hour) | 360 |
| Rowing Boat | 2 | Short Trip (Half Hour) | 100 |
| Rowing Boat | 2 | Long Trip (One Hour) | 180 |
| Kayak | 1 (Adults) | Short Trip (Half Hour) | 90 |
| Kayak | 1 (Adults) | Long Trip (One Hour) | 180 |
The coastal town of Puducherry, erstwhile Pondicherry, is a perfect blend of French and Indian architecture. You can witness a good gathering of tourists who love to explore the city throughout the year. The beautiful monuments, tranquil beaches, and religious shrines of Puducherry attract national and international tourists alike.
It is a gorgeous place to relax and spend some quiet moments with your loved ones on holiday; it is a sight to behold. Puducherry is a true blue vacationer's paradise as the time comes to a standstill while chilling and distancing your mind from the chaos.
About Ousteri Lake
Spread over 800 hectares, the Ousteri Lake is in between Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. About 390 hectares of the area falls in Puducherry and is one of the top tourist places of Puducherry.
It is an artificial lake built by the French and served as a source of drinking water for all its residents. Over the years, the lake has evolved into a wetland. It was declared a prominent bird sanctuary by the Government of India several years ago.
#Trivia: Ousteri Lake is the most famous freshwater lake of Puducherry.
Ousteri Lake is also known by its local name as Oussudu lake. The local name is derived from the nearby village, Oussudu, which is 15 Km from the village. The lake's main attraction is the boating facility provided by the Puducherry tourism department to sail through this beautiful wetland and witness the chirping of multitudes of colourful birds hovering all over the place.
#Trivia: It has been recognized as an important wetland of the UT and the country by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Image Gallery of Ousteri Lake / Ossudu Lake Puducherry
Things to do at the Ousteri Lake
While it is a small place and does not require too much time, you can soak in the beauty of the lake and still enjoy spending a few moments by yourself.
1. Boating: The best way to tour the wetland is to hop on a boat ride that starts at INR 100 per person and can vary depending on whether you are an adult or a kid and the distance. Whether you take a long ride or a short one, you can enjoy the natural beauty of lotus mangrove trees.
2. Bird watching: With different birds who have made the Ousteri lake their home, you can witness these spectacular avian species seated all across the trees. If you are an avid bird-watcher or enjoy watching them in action, check out a few species such as Golden Oriole, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Spotted Owlets, Cormorants, Darters, Lapwings, Hawks, among others.
More than 40 migratory birds flock to the wetlands every year, nesting and spending some time in this tropical climate before flying away. You can get thorough information of all the species with the help of Government sanctioned guides who know the area in and out.
3. Strolling along: With the misty wind kissing your face and the waves softly lashing the shore, Ousteri lake is a magnificent place to enjoy taking a stroll with your loved ones. Enjoy the gorgeous golden sunset from the edge of the lake too!
4. Eating: You can relish and devour local delicacies at roadside stalls and a few restaurants spread around the lake. While it may not be a 5-star variety, there is a tinge of homeliness, and a lot of warmth in the food served here—a perfect way to unwind after spending some time at the lake.
Location of the Ousteri Lake
It is located approximately 10 km. from Puducherry on the Vazhudavoor road, away from the city centre.
Entry fee and timings of Ousteri lake
There is no entry fee to visit Ousteri Lake, and it is open to visitors from 9 am to 5 pm every day.
Best time to visit Ousteri Lake
The best time to visit the beautiful Ousteri Lake is from October to March. The cool winter months, coupled with the splendid breeze across the Bay of Bengal, make your trip mesmerizing. It is also a great time to visit the other top tourist attractions of Puducherry.
You can enjoy the birds flocking the wetlands from dawn to dusk. But unfortunately, the summer and rainy days are pretty humid in Puducherry, which will drain out your energy and make your trip less adventurous.
#QuickTip: Early morning is the best time to visit the Ousteri lake to see the birds in action.
How to reach Ousteri Lake?
The lake is situated 10 Km from the Puducherry bus stand, and you can quickly reach it by hopping on a cab or a local rickshaw.
Since the UT is well-connected by all modes of transportation, you will find it relatively easy to reach here via air, train, or bus. If you like, you can also take a road trip to Puducherry from anywhere! You can also book a private cab from top car rental companies in Pondicherry to visit the lake and other places nearby.
The unmatched beauty of the Ousteri Lake is unmissable when in Puducherry. From the chirping of different birds to the boating experience and sitting by the lakeside, it is an unmatched experience for tourists. You can plan a day at the lake with your loved ones and soak in the calm that it brings.
A short weekend getaway or an extended vacation, Puducherry is always set to welcome you to enjoy the various attractions it holds and the heritage it has to disclose. Book a Pondicherry tour package from Pondicherry Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA to make the best of your tour. Get in touch with us by filling the Contact Us form. We will get back to you at the earliest.
