Sundarbans

These evergreen mangrove forests of Sundarbans are teeming with wildlife species. There is a huge variety of wildlife to be seen in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sundarbans which lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. The spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and interconnecting water channels emptying into the Bay of Bengal, shining sun, and fresh air will leave you mesmerized and relaxed.

Located in the eastern state of West Bengal, the exotic Sundarban National Park is inhabited by a large number of animals, plants, endangered and extinct species, aqua fauna, avifauna and reptiles. A compelling destination for wildlife enthusiasts, the Sundarbans boasts one of the largest concentrations of Royal Bengal Tigers. Cruising the waterways through thick mangrove forests is an unforgettable experience. The area is intersected by a network of tidal creeks & rivulets.

The place is a haven for bird-watching, game viewing, and photography.

Best Season to visit Sundarbans

November to April is the best season for visiting the Sundarbans.

Sights to See in Sundarbans

Project Tiger

Sundarban Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 2585 sq. km and is one of the best places in India to see Royal Bengal Tigers.

Bhagatpur Crocodile Project

Located on the bank of the Saptamukhi Estuary in proximity to the Lothian Island, Bhagatpur Crocodile Project is famous for a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world. Bhagatpur can be visited from both Namkhana and Sajnekhali.

Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary

Situated on the confluence of Gumdi and Matla , Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary is home to wide varieties of bird life in the world. You can spot here Kingfisher, White bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Whimbrels, Sandpipers, Curlew and Pelican.

Piyali Island

Located on the banks of Piyali River, Piyali Island is gateway to the Sunderbans. An oasis of tranquility amidst the mangrove forests, the Piyali Island makes a perfect getaway from the chaos of Kolkata.

Kalashdeep

Situated at the estuary of the River Matla, the beach of Kalash Island is the breeding ground of the Olive Ridley Turtles that arrive in large numbers for nesting. The island is a haven for coastal birs including the Great Stone-curlew or Great Thick-knee (Esacus recurvirostris).

Bakkhali

132 kms far from Kolkata, the unspoilt beach of Bakkhali, surrounded by mangroves of coconut trees, is a beach of great scenic beauty. From Bakkhali you can access the island of Jambudweep by boat. 2 kms from Bakkhali is located another beautiful beach of Fraserganj.

How to reach Sundarbans

How to Reach Sundarbans by Air The nearest airport to Sundarbans is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at Kolkata connected by flights to major cities of India. Kolkata is 131 Km from Sundarbans.

How to Reach Sundarbans by Rail Sundarbans can be reached only by riverine waterways. From Kolkata (Sealdah staion) there are suburban trains to Canning at regular intervals and buses to Raidighi, Namkhana, Najat and Sonakhali and from where motor launch services are available for reaching Sundarbans.

How to Reach Sundarbans by Road Good morotavble roads connect the embarkation points with Kolkata. Canning, Raidighi, Najat. Sonakhali and Namkhana are 64 km, 76 km, 92 km, 100 km and 105 km from Kolkata respectively.

Waterways: Approximate time taken between various points are:

1. From Namkhana - Sagar Island (2.5 hours)
Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours)
Jambudwip (3.5 hours)

2. From Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes)
Holiday Island (3 hours)
Netidhopari (3.5 hours)
Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours)
3. From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour)
4. From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours)