{"id":42388,"date":"2026-07-22T19:30:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T14:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/?p=42388"},"modified":"2026-07-22T19:30:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T14:00:23","slug":"banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Banasura Sagar Dam: India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam \u2014 Boating, Timing &amp; Fee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia \u2014 a wall of heaped stone and earth holding back a reservoir so wide it has its own islands. It sits at Padinjarethara near Kalpetta in Wayanad, Kerala, and right now, mid-monsoon, it&#8217;s at its photogenic best: mist on the water, the Banasura hills stacked in blue-grey layers behind, and speed boats tracing lines between drowned hilltops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide covers everything the ticket counter won&#8217;t explain: current timings and fees, what each boat ride costs, the zipline, when the reservoir looks its fullest, and how to build a day (and a stay) around it \u2014 including two StayVista villas nearby, one of them just 6.6 km from the dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TL;DR: Banasura Sagar Dam is open 6 AM\u20136 PM daily; entry is \u20b910 per person (\u20b920 still camera, \u20b910 parking). Speed-boat rides cost \u20b91,000 for up to 5 people and run till 4 PM; the zipline is \u20b9300. It&#8217;s 21 km from Kalpetta and ~90 km from Kozhikode airport. Monsoon and just after (July\u2013October) is peak reservoir season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In this Blog<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#Quick_Info_Banasura_Sagar_Dam_at_a_Glance\" >Quick Info: Banasura Sagar Dam at a Glance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#What_Are_Banasura_Sagar_Dams_Timings_and_Entry_Fees\" >What Are Banasura Sagar Dam&#8217;s Timings and Entry Fees?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#Why_Is_Banasura_Sagar_Called_Indias_Largest_Earthen_Dam\" >Why Is Banasura Sagar Called India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#What_Can_You_Do_at_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\" >What Can You Do at Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#1_Take_the_Speed-Boat_Ride_Between_the_Islands\" >1. Take the Speed-Boat Ride Between the Islands<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#2_Walk_the_Dam_Top_and_Gardens\" >2. Walk the Dam Top and Gardens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#3_Ride_the_Zipline\" >3. Ride the Zipline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#4_Add_Karlad_Lake_8_km\" >4. Add Karlad Lake (8 km)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#5_Trek_Banasura_Hill\" >5. Trek Banasura Hill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#When_Is_the_Best_Time_to_Visit_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\" >When Is the Best Time to Visit Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#How_Do_You_Reach_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\" >How Do You Reach Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#Where_to_Stay_Near_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\" >Where to Stay Near Banasura Sagar Dam<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#Rivera_%E2%80%94_Lake_Views_66_km_From_the_Dam\" >Rivera \u2014 Lake Views, 6.6 km From the Dam<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#La_Grove_%E2%80%94_the_19-Acre_Estate_Stay\" >La Grove \u2014 the 19-Acre Estate Stay<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#The_Short_Version\" >The Short Version<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"quick-info-banasura-sagar-dam-at-a-glance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Info_Banasura_Sagar_Dam_at_a_Glance\"><\/span>Quick Info: Banasura Sagar Dam at a Glance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Field<\/td><td>Details<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What it is<\/td><td>India&#8217;s largest earthen dam, second largest in Asia \u2014 across the Karamanathodu, a tributary of the Kabini<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Where<\/td><td>Padinjarethara, near Kalpetta, Wayanad district, Kerala<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Timings<\/td><td>6:00 AM \u2013 6:00 PM, open daily (boating counters close by 4 PM)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Entry fee<\/td><td>\u20b910 per person; \u20b920 still camera; \u20b910 vehicle parking<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Boating<\/td><td>Speed boat \u20b91,000 (up to 5 people); pedal boat \u20b9300 (4 people); coracle \u20b9450 (couple)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zipline<\/td><td>\u20b9300 per person<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nearest town<\/td><td>Kalpetta \u2014 21 km (~40 min)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nearest airport<\/td><td>Kozhikode (Calicut) International \u2014 ~90 km (~2.5 hrs)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Time required<\/td><td>2\u20133 hours (half a day with Karlad Lake)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best time<\/td><td>July\u2013October for a full reservoir; October\u2013February for cool, clear weather<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-are-banasura-sagar-dams-timings-and-entry-fees\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Banasura_Sagar_Dams_Timings_and_Entry_Fees\"><\/span>What Are Banasura Sagar Dam&#8217;s Timings and Entry Fees?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banasura Sagar Dam is open every day of the week from 6 AM to 6 PM, and entry costs just \u20b910 per person \u2014 one of Kerala&#8217;s best-value tickets. Add \u20b920 if you&#8217;re carrying a still camera and \u20b910 for vehicle parking. Boating is the one activity that closes early: counters wind down around 4 PM, so plan the ride for the first half of your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Ticket \/ Activity<\/td><td>Price<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Entry (per person)<\/td><td>\u20b910<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Still camera<\/td><td>\u20b920<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vehicle parking<\/td><td>\u20b910<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Speed boat (up to 5 people, per ride)<\/td><td>\u20b91,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pedal boat (up to 4 people)<\/td><td>\u20b9300<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coracle ride (couple)<\/td><td>\u20b9450<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zipline (per person)<\/td><td>\u20b9300<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jeep from gate to boating point (per person)<\/td><td>\u20b9100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One practical note first-timers miss: the walk from the entrance to the dam top and boating point is a proper stretch \u2014 uphill in parts \u2014 which is why shared jeeps ply the route at \u20b9100 per person. In monsoon humidity, with kids or grandparents along, the jeep is money well spent. Keep small notes handy; counters are cash-friendly and queues move faster that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is it crowded? Weekends and Onam\/Christmas weeks, yes \u2014 the boating queue can eat an hour. On a weekday morning you&#8217;ll often have the dam walk nearly to yourself till the tour buses arrive around 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"why-is-banasura-sagar-called-indias-largest-earthen-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Banasura_Sagar_Called_Indias_Largest_Earthen_Dam\"><\/span>Why Is Banasura Sagar Called India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-370x246.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920px-Banasura_Sagar_Dam_Wayanad-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">credits: Vinayaraj via Wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of how it&#8217;s built, not just how big it is. An earthen dam is made by compacting enormous quantities of stone, gravel and soil into a water-tight embankment \u2014 no concrete wall. Banasura Sagar, built across the Karamanathodu stream (a tributary of the Kabini river) as part of a hydroelectric and irrigation project, is the largest dam of this type in India and the second largest earthen dam in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The engineering has a scenic side-effect. When the dam filled, the rising water wrapped around the higher hillocks in the valley and turned them into islands \u2014 the signature view you&#8217;ll see from the dam top, and the reason the speed-boat ride here feels closer to an island-hopping run than a lake loop. Behind it all rises Banasura Hill, part of the Western Ghats and named, like the dam, after the mythological king Banasura, son of Mahabali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stand on the embankment and the scale sinks in: water on one side stretching toward the hills, the Wayanad plateau falling away on the other, and beneath your feet, a man-made ridge of earth doing the holding. It&#8217;s the rare engineering landmark that photographs like a landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-can-you-do-at-banasura-sagar-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Can_You_Do_at_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\"><\/span>What Can You Do at Banasura Sagar Dam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-take-the-speedboat-ride-between-the-islands\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Take_the_Speed-Boat_Ride_Between_the_Islands\"><\/span>1. Take the Speed-Boat Ride Between the Islands<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The headline act. Speed boats (\u20b91,000 per ride, up to 5 people \u2014 so \u20b9200 a head with a full boat) loop through the reservoir&#8217;s islands, and in full-water months the driver threads channels that simply don&#8217;t exist in summer. Prefer slow? Pedal boats (\u20b9300) and coracle rides (\u20b9450 for a couple) keep you closer to the water. Life jackets are provided and mandatory. Rides close by 4 PM \u2014 do this first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"2-walk-the-dam-top-and-gardens\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Walk_the_Dam_Top_and_Gardens\"><\/span>2. Walk the Dam Top and Gardens<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The embankment walk gives you the reservoir on one side and landscaped gardens with a children&#8217;s park below. Early morning is the photographer&#8217;s slot: mist sits on the water till about 8:30, and the crowds are still at breakfast. The viewpoint at the far end frames the islands against Banasura Hill \u2014 the shot on every Wayanad postcard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-ride-the-zipline\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Ride_the_Zipline\"><\/span>3. Ride the Zipline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A \u20b9300 zipline runs high across the dam&#8217;s landscape \u2014 a short, loud burst of adrenaline with the reservoir spread beneath you. Weather-dependent in the rains; it pauses during heavy wind or downpours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-add-karlad-lake-8-km\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Add_Karlad_Lake_8_km\"><\/span>4. Add Karlad Lake (8 km)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wayanad&#8217;s adventure annexe: kayaking, more ziplining and lakeside walks, 8 km from the dam. Pair the two and you have a full outdoor day sorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-trek-banasura-hill\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Trek_Banasura_Hill\"><\/span>5. Trek Banasura Hill<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Serious walkers can take on the Banasura Hill trails \u2014 a half-day trek through meadows and shola patches with panoramic views back over the reservoir. Go with a local guide, and skip it during active red-alert rain; trails get slippery and leeches come out in force (carry salt or leech socks in monsoon \u2014 they work).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For waterfall chasers, Meenmutty, Soochipara and Kanthanpara falls all sit within Wayanad&#8217;s southern circuit and combine well with the dam over two days \u2014 our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/monsoon-waterfall-treks-india-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">India&#8217;s best monsoon waterfall treks<\/a> covers the trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"when-is-the-best-time-to-visit-banasura-sagar-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Is_the_Best_Time_to_Visit_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\"><\/span>When Is the Best Time to Visit Banasura Sagar Dam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">July to October is reservoir season \u2014 the dam at its fullest and greenest. The 2026 monsoon reached Kerala on 24 May, the earliest onset since 2009, so as of July 2026 the reservoir is already running high and the islands are at their most dramatic. Expect showers in bursts; carry a poncho, and treat the mist as a feature, not a bug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">October to February is the comfort window \u2014 cool, clear, 15\u201328\u00b0C, every activity reliably open. March to May works for a quieter visit, but the water level drops, the islands grow ankles, and afternoons get warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two monsoon caveats worth knowing. Boating and the zipline pause during heavy wind or downpours \u2014 mornings are the safest slot, and it&#8217;s worth confirming boating status locally on red-alert days. And the spillway show (water released through the gates after sustained rain) is spectacular but unscheduled; if you&#8217;re staying nearby, ask your villa or homestay team \u2014 word travels fast when the gates open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-reach-banasura-sagar-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Reach_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\"><\/span>How Do You Reach Banasura Sagar Dam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banasura Sagar Dam is 21 km from Kalpetta, Wayanad&#8217;s district headquarters \u2014 a 40-minute drive via Padinjarethara. From Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport, it&#8217;s roughly 90 km and 2.5 hours, climbing the Thamarassery ghat&#8217;s nine hairpins onto the Wayanad plateau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From Bangalore: ~290 km via Mysuru and Bathery (6\u20136.5 hrs). Start early; the Bandipur forest stretch closes to traffic from 9 PM to 6 AM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From Kozhikode: ~65 km to Kalpetta by NH-766 up the ghat, then the 21 km local road to Padinjarethara.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By train: Kozhikode is the nearest major railhead (~85 km); taxis and KSRTC buses run up the ghat all day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Locally: autos and taxis from Kalpetta are easy; buses serve Padinjarethara town, 3 km from the dam gate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pair it with the rest of the district and you get the classic Wayanad loop: dam and Karlad Lake in the west, Pookode Lake and Lakkidi viewpoint on the ghat side, Edakkal Caves and the waterfalls to the south-east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"where-to-stay-near-banasura-sagar-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Stay_Near_Banasura_Sagar_Dam\"><\/span>Where to Stay Near Banasura Sagar Dam<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s the quiet advantage of Wayanad&#8217;s western side: you can stay close enough to beat the tour buses to the boating counter. Two StayVista picks, both live and bookable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rivera-lake-views-66-km-from-the-dam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rivera_%E2%80%94_Lake_Views_66_km_From_the_Dam\"><\/span>Rivera \u2014 Lake Views, 6.6 km From the Dam<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.vistarooms.com\/gallery\/compressed\/rivera-b84ce7.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/villa\/rivera\">Rivera<\/a> is the natural base: a 3-bedroom villa for up to 10 guests just 6.6 km from Banasura Sagar Dam, rated 4.5\/5 across 73 reviews, with first-floor master bedrooms looking over the water and complimentary breakfast before you head out. Be at the dam gate by 8 AM, do the speed boat before the queues form, and be back on the patio for chai while the day-trippers are still parking. Kurumbalakotta viewpoint (15.4 km) and Lakkidi (23.8 km) slot neatly into the same stay; Kozhikode airport is 93 km door to door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/villa\/rivera?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=bansura_sagar_dam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"la-grove-the-19acre-estate-stay\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"La_Grove_%E2%80%94_the_19-Acre_Estate_Stay\"><\/span>La Grove \u2014 the 19-Acre Estate Stay<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/la-grove-998c00-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/villa\/la-grove?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=bansura_sagar_dam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Grove<\/a> trades lake proximity for plantation immersion: a hillside home on 19 acres of working farmland growing rubber, pepper, coffee, cocoa, cashew, teak and banana, with a gazebo built for misty evenings. It&#8217;s the pick for slow mornings \u2014 estate walk, unhurried breakfast, then the dam as the day&#8217;s single outing. From \u20b917,044\/night (July 2026); StayVista&#8217;s Wayanad villas overall run \u20b99,885\u2013\u20b948,372 a night at current site prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/villa\/la-grove?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=bansura_sagar_dam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727687404\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are Banasura Sagar Dam&#8217;s timings and entry fee?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The dam is open 6 AM to 6 PM every day. Entry costs \u20b910 per person, with \u20b920 for a still camera and \u20b910 for parking. Boating counters close around 4 PM, so keep the boat ride for the first half of your visit.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727700336\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How much does boating cost at Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Speed-boat rides cost \u20b91,000 per ride for up to 5 people (\u20b9200 a head with a full boat) and run until about 4 PM. Pedal boats cost \u20b9300 for four people, and coracle rides \u20b9450 for a couple. Life jackets are provided and mandatory on all rides.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727714627\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Which is the largest earthen dam in India?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad, Kerala is India&#8217;s largest earthen dam and the second largest in Asia. It&#8217;s built from compacted stone and earth \u2014 not concrete \u2014 across the Karamanathodu, a tributary of the Kabini river, and its reservoir is famous for islands formed when the valley flooded.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727730368\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the best time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">July to October, when the monsoon fills the reservoir and the islands are at their most dramatic \u2014 though boating can pause during heavy rain. October to February offers cool, reliable weather with everything open. Summer visits work but water levels are lower.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727743213\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How far is Banasura Sagar Dam from Kalpetta and Kozhikode?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The dam is 21 km from Kalpetta (about 40 minutes) at Padinjarethara. From Kozhikode city it&#8217;s roughly 85 km, and from Kozhikode International Airport about 90 km \u2014 around 2.5 hours up the Thamarassery ghat. Bangalore is ~290 km away via Mysuru.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727756927\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is there a zipline at Banasura Sagar Dam?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes \u2014 a zipline runs across the dam&#8217;s landscape for \u20b9300 per person, with wide views over the reservoir. It&#8217;s weather-dependent and pauses during heavy wind or rain, so monsoon visitors should plan it for the morning and have boating as the backup.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1784727770913\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can you swim in the Banasura Sagar reservoir?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Swimming is prohibited \u2014 the reservoir is deep, the bed drops away sharply near the islands, and water levels change with dam operations. Stick to the boats and life jackets; the coracle ride is the closest you&#8217;ll get to the water, and it&#8217;s close enough.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-short-version\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Short_Version\"><\/span>The Short Version<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Banasura Sagar Dam earns the trip on three counts: the superlative (India&#8217;s largest earthen dam), the setting (an island-dotted reservoir under the Banasura hills), and the price (\u20b910 to get in, \u20b9200 a head for a full speed boat). Go before 9 AM, boat first, walk the embankment second, and give the afternoon to Karlad Lake or the ghat viewpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make a weekend of it \u2014 base yourself at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/kerala\/villas-in-wayanad?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=organic-organic&amp;utm_campaign=bansura_sagar_dam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StayVista villa in Wayanad<\/a> (Rivera puts you 6.6 km from the gate), and the dam becomes the easy first morning of a proper Wayanad loop: falls, caves, plantations and all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthen dam in India and the second largest in Asia \u2014 a wall of heaped stone and earth holding back a reservoir so wide&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":42398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[820,1041],"tags":[1576,1103,931],"class_list":["post-42388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides-itineraries","category-kerala","tag-banasura-dam","tag-kerala","tag-travel-south-india"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee &amp; Boating Guide- StayVista Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India&#039;s largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 &amp; the zipline. Plan your visit.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee &amp; Boating Guide- StayVista Journal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India&#039;s largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 &amp; the zipline. Plan your visit.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"StayVista Journal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stayvista\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Taniya Eppaturi\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Taniya Eppaturi\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d752211b694a9d0c655e95f3d6d51a20\"},\"headline\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam: India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam \u2014 Boating, Timing &amp; Fee\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2003,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Banasura Dam\",\"kerala\",\"Travel South India\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Guides &amp; Itineraries\",\"Kerala\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/\",\"name\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide- StayVista Journal\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India's largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 & the zipline. Plan your visit.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727687404\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727700336\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727714627\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727730368\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727743213\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727756927\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727770913\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Guides &amp; Itineraries\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/guides-itineraries\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam: India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam \u2014 Boating, Timing &amp; Fee\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"StayVista Journal\",\"description\":\"Travel Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"StayVista Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/sv-white-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/sv-white-logo.png\",\"width\":686,\"height\":313,\"caption\":\"StayVista Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/stayvista\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/stayvista_official\\\/?hl=en\",\"https:\\\/\\\/in.pinterest.com\\\/stayvista_official\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/d752211b694a9d0c655e95f3d6d51a20\",\"name\":\"Taniya Eppaturi\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Taniya Eppaturi\"},\"description\":\"I\u2019m just a girl who loves travelling and writing articles that make planning dream trips a whole lot easier. I love turning experiences into stories, chaos into clarity, and itineraries into something you\u2019ll actually enjoy reading. I have a soft spot for fashion, a serious addiction to books (anything from Agatha Christie to Ana Huang), and I firmly believe that the best stories are found somewhere between a boarding pass and a good plot twist.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/taniyae\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727687404\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727687404\",\"name\":\"What are Banasura Sagar Dam's timings and entry fee?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The dam is open 6 AM to 6 PM every day. Entry costs \u20b910 per person, with \u20b920 for a still camera and \u20b910 for parking. Boating counters close around 4 PM, so keep the boat ride for the first half of your visit.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727700336\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727700336\",\"name\":\"How much does boating cost at Banasura Sagar Dam?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Speed-boat rides cost \u20b91,000 per ride for up to 5 people (\u20b9200 a head with a full boat) and run until about 4 PM. Pedal boats cost \u20b9300 for four people, and coracle rides \u20b9450 for a couple. Life jackets are provided and mandatory on all rides.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727714627\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727714627\",\"name\":\"Which is the largest earthen dam in India?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad, Kerala is India's largest earthen dam and the second largest in Asia. It's built from compacted stone and earth \u2014 not concrete \u2014 across the Karamanathodu, a tributary of the Kabini river, and its reservoir is famous for islands formed when the valley flooded.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727730368\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727730368\",\"name\":\"What is the best time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"July to October, when the monsoon fills the reservoir and the islands are at their most dramatic \u2014 though boating can pause during heavy rain. October to February offers cool, reliable weather with everything open. Summer visits work but water levels are lower.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727743213\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727743213\",\"name\":\"How far is Banasura Sagar Dam from Kalpetta and Kozhikode?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The dam is 21 km from Kalpetta (about 40 minutes) at Padinjarethara. From Kozhikode city it's roughly 85 km, and from Kozhikode International Airport about 90 km \u2014 around 2.5 hours up the Thamarassery ghat. Bangalore is ~290 km away via Mysuru.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727756927\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727756927\",\"name\":\"Is there a zipline at Banasura Sagar Dam?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes \u2014 a zipline runs across the dam's landscape for \u20b9300 per person, with wide views over the reservoir. It's weather-dependent and pauses during heavy wind or rain, so monsoon visitors should plan it for the morning and have boating as the backup.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727770913\",\"position\":7,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.stayvista.com\\\/blog\\\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\\\/#faq-question-1784727770913\",\"name\":\"Can you swim in the Banasura Sagar reservoir?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Swimming is prohibited \u2014 the reservoir is deep, the bed drops away sharply near the islands, and water levels change with dam operations. Stick to the boats and life jackets; the coracle ride is the closest you'll get to the water, and it's close enough.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide- StayVista Journal","description":"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India's largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 & the zipline. Plan your visit.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide- StayVista Journal","og_description":"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India's largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 & the zipline. Plan your visit.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/","og_site_name":"StayVista Journal","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stayvista","article_published_time":"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":900,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Taniya Eppaturi","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/"},"author":{"name":"Taniya Eppaturi","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d752211b694a9d0c655e95f3d6d51a20"},"headline":"Banasura Sagar Dam: India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam \u2014 Boating, Timing &amp; Fee","datePublished":"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/"},"wordCount":2003,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg","keywords":["Banasura Dam","kerala","Travel South India"],"articleSection":["Guides &amp; Itineraries","Kerala"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/","name":"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide- StayVista Journal","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-22T14:00:23+00:00","description":"Banasura Sagar Dam, Wayanad \u2014 India's largest earthen dam. Timings 6 AM\u20136 PM, \u20b910 entry, speed-boat rides from \u20b91,000 & the zipline. Plan your visit.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727687404"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727700336"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727714627"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727730368"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727743213"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727756927"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727770913"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pookode-Lake-Wayanad-2026-6.jpg","width":1600,"height":900,"caption":"Banasura Sagar Dam: Timings, Entry Fee & Boating Guide"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Guides &amp; Itineraries","item":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/category\/guides-itineraries\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Banasura Sagar Dam: India&#8217;s Largest Earthen Dam \u2014 Boating, Timing &amp; Fee"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/","name":"StayVista Journal","description":"Travel Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"StayVista Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sv-white-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sv-white-logo.png","width":686,"height":313,"caption":"StayVista Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stayvista","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stayvista_official\/?hl=en","https:\/\/in.pinterest.com\/stayvista_official\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d752211b694a9d0c655e95f3d6d51a20","name":"Taniya Eppaturi","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/taniya-eppaturi_avatar-96x96.png","caption":"Taniya Eppaturi"},"description":"I\u2019m just a girl who loves travelling and writing articles that make planning dream trips a whole lot easier. I love turning experiences into stories, chaos into clarity, and itineraries into something you\u2019ll actually enjoy reading. I have a soft spot for fashion, a serious addiction to books (anything from Agatha Christie to Ana Huang), and I firmly believe that the best stories are found somewhere between a boarding pass and a good plot twist.","url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/author\/taniyae\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727687404","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727687404","name":"What are Banasura Sagar Dam's timings and entry fee?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The dam is open 6 AM to 6 PM every day. Entry costs \u20b910 per person, with \u20b920 for a still camera and \u20b910 for parking. Boating counters close around 4 PM, so keep the boat ride for the first half of your visit.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727700336","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727700336","name":"How much does boating cost at Banasura Sagar Dam?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Speed-boat rides cost \u20b91,000 per ride for up to 5 people (\u20b9200 a head with a full boat) and run until about 4 PM. Pedal boats cost \u20b9300 for four people, and coracle rides \u20b9450 for a couple. Life jackets are provided and mandatory on all rides.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727714627","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727714627","name":"Which is the largest earthen dam in India?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad, Kerala is India's largest earthen dam and the second largest in Asia. It's built from compacted stone and earth \u2014 not concrete \u2014 across the Karamanathodu, a tributary of the Kabini river, and its reservoir is famous for islands formed when the valley flooded.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727730368","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727730368","name":"What is the best time to visit Banasura Sagar Dam?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"July to October, when the monsoon fills the reservoir and the islands are at their most dramatic \u2014 though boating can pause during heavy rain. October to February offers cool, reliable weather with everything open. Summer visits work but water levels are lower.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727743213","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727743213","name":"How far is Banasura Sagar Dam from Kalpetta and Kozhikode?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The dam is 21 km from Kalpetta (about 40 minutes) at Padinjarethara. From Kozhikode city it's roughly 85 km, and from Kozhikode International Airport about 90 km \u2014 around 2.5 hours up the Thamarassery ghat. Bangalore is ~290 km away via Mysuru.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727756927","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727756927","name":"Is there a zipline at Banasura Sagar Dam?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes \u2014 a zipline runs across the dam's landscape for \u20b9300 per person, with wide views over the reservoir. It's weather-dependent and pauses during heavy wind or rain, so monsoon visitors should plan it for the morning and have boating as the backup.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727770913","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/banasura-sagar-dam-timings-boating-guide\/#faq-question-1784727770913","name":"Can you swim in the Banasura Sagar reservoir?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Swimming is prohibited \u2014 the reservoir is deep, the bed drops away sharply near the islands, and water levels change with dam operations. Stick to the boats and life jackets; the coracle ride is the closest you'll get to the water, and it's close enough.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42388"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42403,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42388\/revisions\/42403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stayvista.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}