Spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India. Known as Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi it is also the largest tropical wetland ecosystem in the South West coast of India and is the largest Ramsar site in India. The Vembanad lake is fed by 10 rivers flowing into it including the Achenkovil, Manimala, Meenachil, Muvattupuzha, Pamba and Periyar. Vypin, Mulavukad, Vallarpadam, Willingdon Island etc. are some of the islands present in the lake.

Vembanad’s scenic environment with elaborate network of canals and backwaters is flanked by coconut palms, extensive paddy fields that are below mean sea level.

The Thanneermukkom salt water barrier constructed as a part of the Kuttanad Development Scheme to prevent tidal action and intrusion of salt water into the Kuttanad low-lands is one of the unique features of the lake. It is the largest mud regulators in India and essentially divides the lake into two parts - one with perennial brackish water and the other with fresh water from rivers draining into the lake. This barrier has helped farmers in Kuttanad to cultivate an additional crop in the dry season by freeing the area of salinity.

Vembanad Lake is the hub of backwater tourism in the state. Kumarakom Tourist Village situated on the east coast of the lake & the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the northern fringes of Kumarakom village are must see tourism destinations of the Vembanad Lake. Vembanad Lake has hundreds of kettuvallams plying its waters and numerous resorts on its banks. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of the lake.