At a distance of 60 Kms from Chennai (via Ponneri), Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake in India, after Orissa's Chilka Lake. It lies at the border of Thiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu and Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh states. The island of Sriharikota (home for famous ISRO) separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Chennai and an ideal weekend getaway near Chennai.

The lake is 60 kms long and width varies between 0.2 to 17.5 kms. It is an important stopover of migrant birds and approximately 15,000 flamingos visit the lake each year, along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks. The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.

Pulicat village is the best place to experience the beauty of the lake & sanctuary. Boating is available in the lake at Pulicat village. Pulicat was also a Dutch colony in 16th century which has a Dutch Fort and Cemetary that are worth visiting.

October to March is the best time to visit during the migrant birds visit this place.