A Guide To Ousteri Lake, Pondicherry

Ousteri Lake
Herine
Herine 
Published
| 3 min read

Pondicherry is a city in India that was once colonized by the French, hence you’ll see their influence, especially in its quaint French Quarter. This city has a mix of French and authentic Indian vibe that gives it a unique charm. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the rocky Promenade Beach and marvel at the picture-perfect ocean views, dine in one of the many beachfront restaurants, and see a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Awaken your inner spirit through yoga and meditation at Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Nature lovers will have a blast at Ousteri Lake, an artificial lake covering 390 hectares (964 acres), with calm waters and a renowned wetland. The lake is populated with several types of birds, making it a paradise for twitcher, whether novice or seasoned. Plan a trip to Pondicherry and visit this lake. For exciting ideas on what to do while here, check out our guide to Ousteri Lake, Pondicherry.

Things to do / Highlights

Ousteri lake Puducherry evening
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ashok Raj used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Go birdwatching

Ousteri Lake is a haven for people who love birdwatching as it is home to several native and over 40 migratory birds. Take a boat ride to the spots where they flock and see birds such as golden oriole, white ibis, open-bill stork, spotted owlet, painted stork, tailor bird, and so much more. You can even stop to observe and capture photos of these beautiful creatures as they go about their usual business. Some birds can be spotted while on the lake’s shore, but to make the most of this experience, let the expert boat riders take you to places with better views.

Enjoy a boat ride

Go on a relaxing 30 minutes (or, more) boat ride on the lake, at pocket-friendly prices. As you cruise along the lake, take in the beauty of the surroundings and experience the serenity that comes with being around a water body. Aside from the birds, this lake also has various flora, wetlands, and mudflats worth checking out. Admire the lotus bed covered with beautiful pink lotus, which is a sight to behold. The boat ride’s price depends on the type of boat that will take you out to the lake and the ride’s duration. Enjoy reconnecting with nature in a fun way as you capture amazing lake pictures.

Take a leisurely stroll

Keep fit while taking a stroll in a few walkable areas surrounding the lake and admire the water views from various points. When the sun is setting, you will get to see the stunning view of the sunset across this beautiful lake. Be immersed in the peace and tranquility that Ousteri Lake offers, which will leave you feeling happy and rejuvenated.

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Where to eat

Aloo gobi matar ki sabji
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Monali.mishra used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Seagulls Lake View Restaurant

After spending some time exploring Ousteri Lake, hunger is likely to strike. For a taste of authentic Indian food served in an outdoor setting with gorgeous lake views, visit Seagulls Lake View Restaurant. This restaurant offers food options such as fried rice, noodles, aloo gobi, and paneer manchurian accompanied by refreshing drinks. Relish a tasty snack that will leave you feeling satisfied as the cool lake breeze blows around you. The great food and relaxed ambiance are just what you need to enjoy your mealtime.

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Travel tips

Painted Stork - tarun
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tarun.real used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Best time to visit

To avoid visiting Ousteri Lake when it is too hot, and the birds are inactive, it is best to go early in the morning. At this time, you will find the birds waking up and chirping melodiously, and you will also enjoy the cool morning lake breeze. Watching the sunrise from the lake is another plus for an early morning visit. This is definitely one of the most scenic ways to start your morning.

Seasonal highlights

If you are interested in seeing the migratory birds, plan your visit in October to March, as this is when you will find many of them in Ousteri Lake. You will mostly find the native bird species that are still lovely to watch in the other months.

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How to get there

Auto Rickshaw - ഓട്ടോറിക്ഷ
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user കാക്കര used under CC BY-SA 3.0

By private car

Ousteri Lake is at a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the main Pondicherry township. With such a long distance, self-drive is the most convenient way to access the lake. If you want to drive here, this lake is on Vazhudavoor Road. Be ready for a bumpy ride as the drive is on a rough road.

By taxi

You can hire a taxi from Pondicherry township and negotiate the drive’s cost with the taxi driver.

By auto-rickshaw

An auto-rickshaw is a cheaper option for getting to Ousteri Lake. You can hail one from the town center and make sure to agree on the price with the driver before you get inside.

By public transport

A bus is always the cheapest option to get to a place. Board a bus from the new bus stand at a fixed price and enjoy the scenic bus ride to Ousteri Lake.

Parking information

Parking is available on the premises.

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Ousteri Lake information

Ousteri Lake 3
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Karthik Easvur used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Ousteri Lake

Address: Oussudu village, Vazhudavoor Road, Puducherry

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Department of tourism: Visit Pondicherry

News & updates for Ousteri Lake: The boat ride on Ochudu Lake began- public excitement | Exploring Pondicherry, the French Capital of India

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Herine is from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. As a travel enthusiast, she always takes interest in learning about and visiting new places. She has traveled to many places within the country,...Read more

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