Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksThe Mangrove Labyrinth
West Bengal
Image: Soumyajit Nandy / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Sundarbans National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
There is no single public government safari booking portal. Arrange boat permits through Sajnekhali/authorized operators; book forest lodges online where available.
The Sundarbans is accessible only by boat, which limits accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges. Boarding and disembarking from boats requires some agility. The canopy walks at Dobanki and Bonnie Camp involve elevated wooden boardwalks with railings. The Sajnekhali interpretation center is largely accessible. Inform your tour operator about any special needs well in advance.
The Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses a part of the world's largest mangrove forest — a vast, mystical labyrinth of tidal waterways, mudflats, and islands of salt-tolerant trees at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. This unique ecosystem is home to the legendary swimming tigers of the Sundarbans — Royal Bengal Tigers that have adapted to a semi-aquatic life, hunting fish and swimming between islands. The park represents one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth and serves as a critical buffer against cyclones for the millions of people living in the region. The Sundarbans is also a vital breeding ground for numerous species of fish, crustaceans, and migratory birds.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | 8:30 AM - Sunset | Full-day boat tours recommended |
The park is technically open year-round, but the best visiting period is September to March. Boat tours typically last 2-3 days to cover major watchtowers and creeks. Sajnekhali entry point opens at 8:30 AM.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 40 per person per day |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 400 per person per day |
| Boat Hire (Small launch) | INR 3,500 - 5,000 per day |
| Boat Hire (Larger vessel) | INR 7,000 - 15,000 per day |
| Guide Fee | INR 400 - 600 per day (mandatory) |
| Camera Fee | INR 200 (still), INR 500 (video) |
| Watchtower Entry | INR 20 per person per tower |
Multi-day trips are recommended (minimum 2 nights/3 days). Package tours from Kolkata or Canning/Godkhali include boat, meals, guide, and permits. Private charter boats are also available for custom itineraries.
Sundarbans National Park, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
21.9497° N, 88.8985° E
Nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (100 km to Godkhali jetty). Taxis available from the airport.
Nearest railway station is Canning (on the Kolkata-Canning suburban line, about 48 km from park entry). From Canning, take road transport to Godkhali or Sonakhali jetty.
From Kolkata, drive to Godkhali jetty (approximately 100 km, 3-4 hours) or Sonakhali jetty. Regular buses run from Kolkata (Babu Ghat) to Sonakhali.
All travel inside the park is by motorboat or country boat. No roads exist within the Sundarbans. Boats can be hired from Godkhali, Sonakhali, or Sajnekhali. Most visitors use organized tour boats.
The world's largest contiguous mangrove forest with over 64 species of mangroves including Sundari (Heritiera fomes, from which the Sundarbans gets its name), Gewa, Goran, and Keora. The aerial root systems create an intricate underwater habitat.
Approximately 100 Royal Bengal Tigers have uniquely adapted to the mangrove environment — they swim between islands, drink saltwater, and prey on fish and crabs in addition to deer. Other species include saltwater crocodiles, Gangetic and Irrawaddy dolphins, fishing cats, water monitors, olive ridley turtles, and horseshoe crabs.
The Sundarbans has been recognized as a unique ecosystem since the colonial era. The area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1977 and a national park in 1984. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1987. The name 'Sundarbans' is believed to derive from the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes) that dominates the forest. The mangroves of the Sundarbans serve as a critical buffer against cyclones — a role that became tragically evident during Cyclone Aila (2009) and Cyclone Amphan (2020). Conservation here must balance tiger protection with the livelihoods of over 4 million people living in and around the delta.
