Kilakarai (alternatively spelled Kilakkarai or Keelakarai) is a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2021 , the town has a population of approximately 60,000. Known for its rapid development, Kilakarai is one of the fastest-growing talukas in the Ramanathapuram district. The town is also home to a number of prestigious businessmen and entrepreneurs who have made their mark globally.

Kilakarai is an eastern coastal town and a port, located in southern Tamil Nadu. It was a flourishing seaport and a gateway to places as far as Madurai until the early 20th century. The famous pearl belt known as the Gulf of Mannar in the Bay of Bengal is dotted with small islands Appa Tivu, Nallathanni Theevu, Shuli Tivu, Uppu Tanni Tivu, Talari Tivu and Musal Tivu. The coastal line of Kilakarai is formed by a series of small bays and coral reefs sheltering the town from the ocean. It was also called as "Quilicare", kirkari, Sembi Nadu, Korkai, Powthira Manicka Pattinam, "Kelikkarai", "Ninathaan mudithaan pattinam", "Seppi Nadu", "lebbat pattan" (pattan mentioned in voyages of Ibn Battuta & map displayed in Ibn Battuta Mall). A strong cultural connection exists between Kayalpatnam, Adirampattinam and Kilakarai.

The prime occupations of the people were pearl, conch, sea trade and transport. The mid-20th century saw a decline in the occupations of the people of Kilakarai, with the advent of surface transport the merchant shipping fleets declined and Kilakarai aka Killikare ceased to be a harbour and port. The cultured pearl industry and dragnet fishing that destroyed the coral reefs choked the once robust pearl trade, or Muthu Salabam.

Kilakarai's pearls, conch (sangu) and coral (pavazham) industries played a vital role in the local economy. However, these industries declined due to environmental regulations and conservation laws. The Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 classified corals and certain conch species under protected categories, prohibiting their extraction and trade. Additionally, the establishment of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and stringent Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules further restricted traditional harvesting practices, impacting the livelihoods of pearl divers, fishermen and traders in the region.

Kilakarai is renowned for its communal harmony. The majority of the population here is Muslim with people of other faith Hindu, Christians living together. The communal harmony that always existed is best exemplified by the famous Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple and Kilakarai Jumma Pallivasal (Vallal Seethakathi is interred here) at Kilakarai, while the architecture is the same the workforce was provided by the erstwhile ruler Sethupathi of Ramnad and most of the materials for both the edifice were supplied by the Kilakarai merchant navies. The town is reminiscent of Spanish Moorish architecture and is located about 60 km south west of the temple town of Rameswaram.

It has the oldest mosque in India known as the Palaiya Kuthba Palli. It has a unique pre-Islamic heritage of more than 1300 years.

The migration of the people after the decline of the marine trade and industry resulted in people exploring the other parts of the globe. Kilakarai has a large expatriate population and a high literacy rate. This has enabled the people of Kilakarai to span the globe and become active merchants in the Middle and Far East, US and European markets.

The 1970s decline of marine trade resulted in people migrating to other countries for business and jobs. Now as per the law of nature the reverse migration is all set to happen. Post-Covid, pandemic and Lockdowns job losses have become the order of the day and disruptions are all set to happen. The Gulf mission to minimise the Indian immigrants, improved and fast-developing job and business opportunities in Tamil Nadu, the native bonding, self-content nature etc. have made many people come back home for good.