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Ooty Lake lies along the valley floor in Ooty (Udhagamandalam), and the boat house on its shore is one of the most visited spots in the Nilgiris. Taking a boat out on the water, with eucalyptus-covered hills on one side and the town climbing the slopes on the other, is part of almost every Ooty holiday.
The lake is long and narrow – about 2.5 km from end to end but only around 140 metres at its widest – and covers roughly 26 hectares (about 65 acres).
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History
The lake was created in 1824 by John Sullivan, the British Collector of Coimbatore who did more than anyone to develop Ooty as a hill station. He had the mountain streams running down the valley dammed; according to Tamil Nadu Tourism the lake was first used mainly for fishing. As Ooty grew into the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, the lake became a place for recreation.
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) took over the lake in 1973 to run boating for visitors, and the boat house has been a fixture ever since. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway line runs along part of the shore, and the toy train sometimes passes while you are on the water.
Boating at Ooty Lake
The TTDC boat house offers three main types of boats:
- Pedal boats: the most popular choice for couples and small families; you pedal yourselves.
- Rowing boats: for those who want to row, or with a boatman.
- Motor boats: a faster, longer loop of the lake with a driver, good for groups and older travellers.
Booking and queues
Tickets are sold at the boat house counters by boat type and time slot. In peak season, especially April, May and long weekends, queues can stretch for an hour or more by midday. Arrive soon after opening, or visit on a weekday. Wear the life jacket you are given. Boating can be suspended in heavy rain or strong wind.
Around the lake
Next to the boat house there is a garden, a mini train for children and an amusement area, and you will find horse rides and snack stalls along the approach. Cycles can be hired for a ride along the lakeside road. In May, the lake is the venue for boat races and a boat pageant during Ooty’s summer festival, alongside the flower show at the botanical garden.
Be aware that the lake has long struggled with pollution and water hyacinth, and studies by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board have found the water unfit for drinking. It is fine for boating, but don’t put your hands in your mouth after trailing them in the water, and avoid feeding fish or birds.
Best time to visit
Mornings are best: the light is soft, mist sometimes lies on the water, and the queues are short. March to June brings Ooty’s peak season and pleasant days; September to November is quieter and green after the rains. The monsoon (June to August) brings frequent rain and can interrupt boating, and from December to February mornings are very cold; temperatures in Ooty can drop close to or below freezing on winter nights.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Ooty is about 430 km from Pondicherry, around 9 hours by road via Salem, Coimbatore and Mettupalayam. The lake fits easily into a sightseeing day with Doddabetta Peak and the botanical garden. Our Ooty, Coonoor and Mysore tour includes time at the lake with a car and driver. For more ideas, see our boating and cruises and hill stations pages.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Ooty Lake?
John Sullivan, the British Collector of Coimbatore, created the lake in 1824 by damming the streams in the Ooty valley.
What types of boats are available at Ooty Lake?
The TTDC boat house offers pedal boats, rowing boats and motor boats, priced by boat type and duration.
What is the best time for boating at Ooty Lake?
Early morning on a weekday, when queues are short and the water is calm. In April and May queues can be very long by midday.
Who runs the Ooty boat house?
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), which took over boating on the lake in 1973.
