Situated amidst the lush mangrove forests spanning West Bengal and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans offer a unique blend of pristine wilderness and captivating biodiversity. From the enchanting Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary to the tranquil Henry’s Island, each destination promises unforgettable experiences in nature’s embrace. Join us as we take you on a journey filled with wonder and excitement as we unveil the beauty of the Sundarbans like never before. Welcome to a world of wonders, and welcome to Sundarbans National Park. Explore the Sundarbans National Park with Salam Travellers. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss the top 12 Sundarbans National Park places to visit.
Why visit Sundarbans National Park?
Sundarbans derived its name from a mangrove plant, Sundari, which is abundantly found in the forests of Sundarbans. Sundarbans Park has many waterways and islands, making it the world’s unique and largest ecosystem. This park is also mentioned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is unique about the Sundarbans National Park?
Sundarbans National Park has unique features, as it has the world’s largest area of mangrove forests. Many endangered species are found in these forests, such as the Sundarbans, the only habitat for Royal Bengal Tigers. It is also a habitat for aquatic mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Where is the Sundarbans National Park located?
Sundarbans National Park is 110km from Kolkata, between West Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal lines. 40% of this park is in India, and 60% is in Bangladesh. This park is only accessible by boat from Sajnekhali’s land. This park has a pristine environment and is an ideal place to explore wildlife, as it is rich in mangrove forests and famous for its unique flora and fauna. Sundarbans National Park also has small closures, like farms for crocodiles and turtles. The wildlife museums are also located in this park. This park is also mentioned in a new list of seven wonders of nature due to its rare wild species of plants and animals.
Tickets at Sundarbans National Park
The park trip is full of thrills and adventure, and its nearby attractions are also excellent for you, especially if you are a nature enthusiast. The entry ticket for this park is INR 60 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners. Let us explore each of the 12 Sundarbans National Park places to visit in detail.
1. Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary
The place is amazing for bird lovers and is located on an island that is reachable by boat. The boat ride experience to reach a bird sanctuary is a marvelous adventure. Here, tourists can spot various kinds of birds flying in lush greenery, and the pristine environment of the sanctuary makes for an endless adventure.
Kingfishers, parrots, open-billed storks, paradise flycatchers, and white-bellied sea eagles are some birds to watch easily at this place. Asian Dowitchers are also spotted on this island, but they are rarely seen.
2. Bird Watch Tower
The Bird Watch Tower is inside the Sundarbans National Park, which is only 9km from Kanak and the best place to see the majestic view of the Sundarbans from India’s side toward Bangladesh.
From this watchtower, visitors can see the marine beauty of the Raimongal River that flows between Bangladesh and India, which is also an international boundary between the two countries. The watchtower is made of wood, and the bridge is also made of wood that is used to reach the tower.
3. Kanak
Kanak is the best place to see the endangered species of Olive Ridley Turtles. Kanak serves as a shelter for these turtles that come after traveling from far-off areas to these shallow waters. These turtles are very unique, and they are the smallest sea turtles.
They create mass nests at beaches where female turtles lay eggs. The water on the shores is crystal clear, making it the best place to spend some time in the company of the natural environment.
4. Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary
This wildlife sanctuary is located on the northern side of the Sundarbans and has many twists due to its multiple wild species. Visitors can often see Bengal tigers, monkeys, crocodiles, and wild deer at this spot.
A museum has also been developed to explain the history of the Sundarbans to visitors. The forest department sets up a permission office in this place to book safaris.
For visiting only, the office, you must pay INR 50; if you want to visit the forest area, the charges are INR 120. Here, tourists can take overnight stays in tourist guest houses.
The best way to watch the wild animals and mangrove forests of the Sundarbans is to watch the tower built in Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary.
5. Bakkhali Beach
Bakkhali Beach is located in the south of the Sundarbans and is a great spot for a calming weekend getaway. This beach is fully equipped with facilities, such as food, accommodation, and public toilets. Government resorts and lodges are easily accessible from the beach for a night’s stay. Visitors can enjoy fresh fry fish from stalls at this beach.
If we talk about the beauty aspects of this beach, a 7km stretch of coastline has splendid views of sunrise and sunset moments. Mangrove trees are also found at the shore. By sitting under these trees, you can enjoy some leisure moments, such as a walk-in low tide, when water touches your feet, giving a soothing effect to the soul.
The trip from Sundarbans Park to Bakkhali Beach is enjoyable, but as the beach does not have high tides, tourists cannot enjoy swimming here. That’s why most of the tourists skip their visits. But the pristine beauty of the beach is worth visiting.
6. Tiger Safari Resort
If you want to enjoy a comfortable stay and hotel facilities, Tiger Safari Resort is the best option. This fully budget-friendly resort offers the best comfortable stay option in the Sundarbans during a visitor’s trip.
The resort can be easily accessed from Canning Railway Station. Each cottage of the resort is furnished with modern facilities and is designed to keep the living standards of guests a high priority. Staying in these cottages will provide a chance to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding areas, especially the views of sunrise and sunset, which are incredible to see.
Sundarbans Tiger Resort is beautiful, facilitated, and has decent charges to pay. This resort also has a personal restaurant to serve the food to visitors.
Moreover, guests can also avail of the pick-and-drop facility from the resort management. Housekeeping service, room service, and doctor-on-call facilities are available at this resort.
7. Tiger Roar Resort
Another option to stay during the Sundarbans trip is Tiger Roar Resort in Purbbadulki, Sundarbans. This resort has a terrace and garden, and rooms also have balconies open toward the garden to stand and enjoy the beautiful nature in the surrounding areas.
Visitors can enjoy the beautiful view of the river from the resort rooms. This area is also famous for fishing, and visitors can hire a car to continue their journey toward the Sundarbans.
By staying in this resort, you can feel how the government is trying to enhance tourism in the Sundarbans. The resort has various packages for staying with friends and family.
8. Bhagabatpur
The Bhagabatpur crocodile project is the only crocodile project in West Bengal and has also become a tourist site. The project is being developed at the Bank of Saptamukhi estuary and on Lothian Island, another wildlife sanctuary.
Tourists can see the hatchery of estuarine crocodiles and also get a chance to explore the mangrove forests. This place is loaded with natural beauty, and crocodiles of every age group are housed in this project.
Through Namkhana, this project is easily accessible. It will give you a lifetime of experience to enjoy.
9. The Piyali River
This river is a gateway to Sundarbans National Park, which is 70 km from Kolkata. The river flows from the green fields of the region and drops into the Matla River. This joining point is called Delta and is the best romantic place to visit and enjoy the natural beauty.
Tourists can enjoy many recreational activities and accommodation options at this place. Piyali Island at this river is a heaven for birdwatchers. Visitors can enjoy pedal and motor boating in the Piyali River.
The Island is full of peace and tranquility, making this spot a perfect getaway for the weekend.
10. Harbaria Eco Tourism Centre
This eco-center is on the bank of the Harbaria Canal, and visitors can see the green and golden nameplates of this eco-center from the canal. This center is about 70km from Khulna.
A small bridge is built over the canal to reach the center. This canal is a crocodile sanctuary, and often, you can see saltwater crocodiles in the canal. December and February are the best months to see crocodiles because they sunbathe outside in the winter.
The rare Maya deer is also spotted in this Eco center. The forest of the eco-center is also a tiger sanctuary, and often, fresh footprints of tigers are seen here. Therefore, entering a deep forest from a wooden walking path can be dangerous.
The ticket price for entrance to Harbaria Eco Tourism Centre is INR 70 for Indians and INR 1000 for foreigners.
11. Henry’s Island
Henry’s Island is serene in West Bengal and a beautiful visitor getaway. This place is famous for its virgin beauty, and the crabs on the beach sand attract tourists from all over the world. The island is very close to Bakkhali Beach.
It would help if you were mesmerized by the fresh air and offbeat beach of this Island, which is not affected by pollution and presents a panoramic view of seawater under the shining sun. People can enjoy swimming in the sea’s clean water and walking on sandy beaches all day.
Before entering the Island, you have to pay INR 10 as an entry fee. Guest rooms are also available to stay overnight at Island. Some parts of mangrove forests are also on Henry Island, and from the Watchtower, you can enjoy the green view of mangrove trees.
12. Sagar Island
The easiest way to access Sagar Island is by hiring a taxi or taking a private tour of the Sundarbans because there is no connection between the mainland and Ganga Sagar.
Tourists must book a ferry from Namkhana, about an hour’s drive from Kolkata. This place has religious importance for Hindu pilgrims because every year in January, pilgrims come to take ceremonial baths.
It is believed that the water of Ganga Sagar is the cure for all spiritual and skin diseases.
Safety Tips
The Sundarbans is covered with mangrove forests; to visit the nearby areas and attractions, tourists must follow some safety tips, such as:
- Don’t disturb the wild animals, such as tiger crocodiles or snakes, as it could be dangerous for survival.
- They should visit the forest areas with an expert guide, as the routes and paths are filled with wild species and the chances of being lost are high.
- Don’t smoke in the forest because carelessness could cause fire, and wild animals will be frightened.
- Tourists should keep their spots clean and not throw litter in tourist places.
- Don’t try to feed the monkeys, deer, and tigers, as they could be frightened and can harm the visitors.
What is the best time to visit the Sundarbans?
September to March are the best months to visit the Sundarbans because the weather becomes pleasant and suitable to visit during the winter. The summer season is quite hot, and humidity can bother you during your trip.
How to visit Sundarbans National Park?
As the Sundarbans is accessible by waterways, visitors must avail of motor launch services from Sonakhali and Najat. From Kolkata, visitors can book their tickets on the train to Canning to start their journey to the Sundarbans.
Which airport is near Sundarbans National Park?
Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is the nearest airport to Sundarbans National Park. The distance from the Park to this airport is 112km.
Final Words
So, these are all the top 12 Sundarbans National Park places to visit. Sundarbans is situated in a mangrove area in the Delta, formed by the confluence of three rivers: the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. Various canals and rivers connect the Sundarbans. There are many nature camps on the islands of the Sundarbans where you can stay and enjoy this adventure. Before going to the Sundarbans, it is best to plan a trip of multiple days because the place is a complete surprise and has much to explore. Every point has its importance and is always to be noticed. But during your trip to the Sundarbans, visitors must be careful as the area is full of wild animals, and it’s pretty suitable to visit with a travel guide. Many tourist agencies plan tourism packages for Sundarbans National Park and its surroundings and guide travelers at each point. So be ready to explore the world of wonders and pack your luggage to indulge in natural beauty.
Stay tuned for more adventure guides from Salam Travellers.
