The Sundarbans
সুন্দরবন
South 24 Parganas district · Sundarbans & Coast
The world's largest mangrove forest, shared with Bangladesh.
Sundarbans National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987)
About The Sundarbans
The Indian Sundarbans form part of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tiger Reserve. Tides shape the islands and channels. It is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodiles and many bird species; tiger sightings are rare, so the boat journey and forest atmosphere are the real experience.
Highlights
- Boat safaris through tidal creeks
- Watchtowers at Sajnekhali and Sudhanyakhali
- Mangrove birdlife and crocodiles
- Village life on Gosaba and Pakhiralay
Plan your trip
- Best time
- November to February. Avoid monsoon and the pre-monsoon cyclone months.
- How to reach
- Roughly 100 km from Kolkata to Godkhali or Sonakhali jetties (about 3 to 4 hours by road), then boat.
- Suggested stay
- 2 to 3 days
- Distance from Kolkata
- About 100 km by road
- Travel time
- 3 to 4 hours by road, then by boat
- Nearest railway station
- Canning
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Food
- Crab, prawn and river fish cooked on the boat.
- Good to know
- Travel only with registered operators; stay inside the boat and the fenced watchtowers.
- Travel responsibly
- A fragile tiger reserve: no plastic in the water, no loud music.
Tip
Entry needs forest department permits, arranged through registered operators or West Bengal Tourism packages. Follow all boat and forest rules.
Nearby and related destinations
- Bakkhali & Gangasagar: A coastal escape and a major pilgrimage island. (about 130 km from Kolkata, nearest station Namkhana or Kakdwip)
- Mousuni Island: Tents on a quiet delta beach. (about 125 km from Kolkata, nearest station Namkhana)
- Digha: Bengal's most popular seaside town. (about 185 km from Kolkata, nearest station Digha)
- Mandarmani & Tajpur: Quieter beaches with red crabs and long open stretches. (about 175 km from Kolkata, nearest station Contai (Kanthi) or Ramnagar)
Part of these guides
Distances and travel times are approximate road figures from central Kolkata. Check timings, permits and road conditions before you travel.