Emerald Lake Yercaud
A serene natural lake surrounded by lush hills, offering boat rides and a peaceful escape. The heart of Yercaud's charm.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful vibes
Emerald Lake Yercaud
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful vibes
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene natural lake surrounded by lush hills, offering boat rides and a peaceful escape. The heart of Yercaud's charm.
"The lake is beautiful and it is serene in the mornings and evenings. The boat rides seems to be fun as well."
🎯 Arrive Early to Avoid Queues
Beat the rush for boat rides and enjoy a more peaceful lake experience. Weekday mornings are ideal!
🚤 Motorboat for More Exploration
If you want to see more of the lake, opt for a motorboat. Other options can be limiting.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.1 · 22,809 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Emerald Lake Boat Ride
Emerald Lake
Glide across the serene waters, surrounded by lush greenery. Motorboats offer an adventurous way to explore.
Morning Serenity
Emerald Lake
Experience the tranquil beauty of the lake before the crowds arrive. Perfect for quiet reflection and photography.
Adjacent Park Fun
Near Emerald Lake
A great spot for families, offering a pleasant space to relax and for kids to play while waiting for boat rides.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds for a Serene Experience
Boating Tips & Ticket Strategy
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Early to Avoid Queues
Beat the rush for boat rides and enjoy a more peaceful lake experience. Weekday mornings are ideal!
🚤 Motorboat for More Exploration
If you want to see more of the lake, opt for a motorboat. Other options can be limiting.
💰 Be Mindful of Ride Timings
Extra charges apply for exceeding your allotted boat ride time. Keep an eye on the clock!
☕ Grab a Hot Drink
A tea shop near the park entrance offers hot chocolate – perfect for cooler mornings.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Early to Avoid Queues
Beat the rush for boat rides and enjoy a more peaceful lake experience. Weekday mornings are ideal!
🚤 Motorboat for More Exploration
If you want to see more of the lake, opt for a motorboat. Other options can be limiting.
💰 Be Mindful of Ride Timings
Extra charges apply for exceeding your allotted boat ride time. Keep an eye on the clock!
☕ Grab a Hot Drink
A tea shop near the park entrance offers hot chocolate – perfect for cooler mornings.
📱 Consider Online Ticket Booking
The TNSTC app might offer online booking for tickets, potentially saving you wait time.
📸 Capture the Morning Bliss
The lake offers beautiful scenic views, especially in the early morning light.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Emerald Lake is a beautiful natural spot, especially loved for its serene mornings and enjoyable boat rides. While the scenery is captivating, some visitors point out issues with cleanliness and significant crowds during peak times, leading to long waits for activities. The nominal entry fee is considered reasonable, but extra charges for boat rides and strict time limits can be a point of contention for some.
"This is one of the major highlights in Yercaud. Multiple boating options are available with pedal boat, row boat and speed boat. Duration is usually 30mins.
Try visiting in the morning hours or evening slots. If you are visiting on weekend, prefer mornings to avoid rush.
It is run by the TamilNadu government. There is also ample parking space for 4 wheelers and even big vans and buses. Its paid parking though.
Tickets can be availed online or via offline counters. Multiple boat options ranging from couple boats to speed boats and family boats are available.
The entrance is a little mismanaged with just a single row entry and they even charge entry fees of Rs 10 per person there. I dont see the purpose of a separate entry fees when you will anyways be availing boating services which is again paid. This payment queue at the entrance with a single queue becomes a bottleneck."
Abin Rajan
"An excellent scenic place to go for boating in hill stations,
Rowing boat, pedal boat two persons, four persons, motor boat available at different costs.
On holidays it is crowded, there is an entry fee you need to pay.
Then boating fee with refundable deposit.
30 minutes for pedal boats.
Overall very good"
Shahul hameed
"Beautiful place to had fun...we have taken boat ride which was amazing....but heavy rush. Need to buy tickets and wait for our turn.. there is an park side by. Which is very good to spend time with kids.."
Sudhakar Reddy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Emerald Lake is located in Yercaud, about 30 km from Salem. You can reach Yercaud by road. From the Yercaud bus stand, it's about a 1 km walk or a short auto-rickshaw ride to the lake.
Once in Yercaud, auto-rickshaws are available for local travel. For a day trip from Salem, TNSTC buses are a budget-friendly option, covering the round trip and offering flexibility for visiting various spots.
Yercaud is a popular hill station near Salem, making it accessible by road. It's a common weekend getaway destination for people from nearby cities like Salem and Coimbatore.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There's a nominal entry fee of Rs. 10 per person for the lake area. Additional charges apply for boat rides and other activities.
The lake is generally accessible during daylight hours. For boat rides, timings are typically from morning around 8:30 AM to evening around 7:30 PM, but it's advisable to check locally for exact timings.
While specific advance booking for boat tickets might be limited, some sources suggest using the TNSTC app for potential online booking of bus tickets for day trips, which could indirectly help with planning.
Yes, Emerald Lake offers motorboats, rowing boats, and pedal boats. Motorboats are recommended for a more adventurous and extensive experience of the lake.
Standard boat rides are usually around 30 minutes. Be aware that exceeding this time can lead to additional charges.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The main activity is boating on the lake. You can also enjoy the scenic views, take photos, and relax by the lakeside. There's a park nearby that's great for families.
Yes, the lake and the adjacent park are good for families. Kids can enjoy the park, and boat rides can be a fun experience for them, especially the pedal boats.
Mornings and late afternoons are ideal to avoid crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of the lake. Early mornings offer a peaceful atmosphere.
There is a government-run boat house.
While the lake offers beautiful natural scenery, some visitors have noted issues with litter and cleanliness in certain areas. Efforts are being made to maintain its beauty.
🍽️ ☕ Food & Dining
There's a tea shop located just in front of the park entrance near the lake, offering hot beverages like hot chocolate. For more extensive dining options, you'll find restaurants and cafes in the main Yercaud town area.
While not extensively documented, small stalls might be present during peak times. It's advisable to explore the main Yercaud market for a wider variety of local snacks and food.
📸 📸 Photography
The lake itself, especially during sunrise or sunset, offers stunning photographic opportunities. The surrounding lush green hills and the boat house also make for picturesque shots.
Early mornings provide soft, diffused light and fewer distractions, ideal for capturing the serene beauty. Late afternoons offer warm, golden hour light for dramatic shots.
While the lake is the main focus, the surrounding hills and the general landscape of Yercaud offer numerous viewpoints. Lady's Seat and Pagoda Point are known for panoramic views.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit