Kumarakom is the most popular backwater destination in Kerala.  Kumarakom is encircled by vembanad Backwaters.  The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp and prawns. The Bird Sanctuary at Kumarakom draws a large number of Bird loving tourists, where the endangered migratory bird ‘ Siberian Stork’ is commonly seen. Kumarakom is also the backwater gateway to Alleppey.