Interesting Facts About Sundarban
As I started my journey into Sundarban, the thought of tigers and the dense jungle filled me with a great sense of adventure. The moment we stepped onto the boat, it felt like we had entered another world, a place of profound quiet and mystery,” See all things step by step below.
The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest spanning India and Bangladesh, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its unique delta ecosystem and exceptional biodiversity. This vast 140,000-hectare expanse in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta exemplifies dynamic natural processes like tidal shifts and island formation.
Formed at the Bay of Bengal’s edge, the Sundarbans features a intricate web of tidal channels, mudflats, and salt-tolerant mangrove islands. It includes four protected zones: Sundarbans National Park in India and three wildlife sanctuaries in Bangladesh (West, South, and East), all recognized by UNESCO since 1987 for their ecological significance. The area showcases ongoing delta evolution through monsoon floods, sediment deposition, and mangrove colonization, creating diverse habitats from freshwater to marine environments.
Biodiversity here is unparalleled, with 334 plant species, 165 algae, and 13 orchids supporting a rich food web. Fauna includes 693 species: 49 mammals, 59 reptiles, 8 amphibians, 210 fish, plus various invertebrates. It’s the sole mangrove home to the Royal Bengal tiger, with 400-450 individuals at high density, alongside endangered species like estuarine crocodiles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and river terrapins. Birdlife thrives with 315 species, including kingfishers and white-bellied sea eagles.
Places To Visit In Sundarban
Sundarban, this huge mangrove forest is where you can go on boat rides, jungle safaris, and try to spot the famous Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife, making it the main reason most people travel here.
1.Sajnekhali Watch Tower
This is the easiest place for tourists to enter the forest and spot birds, animals, and even crocodiles, plus there’s an information center and small temple to explore; it’s perfect for families and wildlife lovers.
2.Sudhanyakhali Watch Tower
If you want a chance to see tigers and deer from a safe spot, visit this watchtower—there’s a pond where animals come to drink, giving you a good opportunity for wildlife viewing.
3.Netidhopani Watch Tower
This watchtower has a mythical connection and old temple ruins; the area is scenic with sweet water ponds and a piece of Sundarban’s history, making it an interesting spot beyond animal sightings.
4.Do Banki Watch Tower
Famous for its elevated canopy walk through the mangroves, this is a unique place to enjoy forest views safely while spotting deer and birds.
5.Bhagatpur Crocodile Project
This is a special sanctuary for estuarine crocodiles where you can learn about and see these giant reptiles up close, which is fun and educational for kids and adults alike.
6.Piyali
A peaceful little town that’s a perfect starting point for your trip; enjoy the pretty scenery and it’s less crowded than other spots, making it a nice place to relax before going deeper into the Sundarbans.
7.Halliday Island
Best for wildlife enthusiasts, this sanctuary is home to rare barking deer and lots of birds, giving visitors a quieter, more offbeat nature experience.
8.Kanak
If you’re curious about sea turtles, Kanak is known for Olive Ridley turtles that visit its sandy shores—a memorable stop during nesting season.
9.Henry Island
Great for beach lovers and those wanting to walk among mangroves, this island has peaceful sands and is good for birdwatching too.
10.Kalash Island
An ideal island to watch coastal birds and possibly see turtles on the beach, especially if you visit in winter.
11.Burirdabri Watch Tower
This spot stands out for its mud walk and mangrove trail, ending at a view of the Bangladesh Sundarbans—great for those who love a bit of adventure.
12.Golpatar Jungle
A lesser-known forest area loved by locals, full of giant trees and perfect for quiet nature walks and bird sounds, away from the usual tourist crowd.
13.Hamilton’s Bungalow : In Gosaba, Sundarbans, stands Hamilton’s Bungalow, where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore stayed in 1932. Hosted by Sir Daniel Hamilton, Tagore came to witness his pioneering rural cooperative movement. This historic site marks the meeting of two great visionaries who shared a dream of empowering Bengal’s villages.
Best Time to Visit
October to March offers pleasant weather for exploration, with clear skies and optimal wildlife sightings. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rains and flood.
Things to do in Sunderban
- House Boat Safari
- Mud Bath
- Camping in Jungle (Bonnie Camp)
- Watchtower climb
- Enjoy Tribal Dance & Local Cusine
How I Spent My Trip
Day 1:
We started our journey from Indian Museum (Park Street, Kolkata) at 8 in the morning. We got our Packed Breakfast in the Bus. Tasty Sandwich, Kachori and delicious Ladoo was there in the Packet.
At 10 AM, we stopped at a Dhaba for Tea/ Coffee and then headed for Godkhali.
We reached Godkhali at around 1 PM and boarded our Ferry from Godkhali Ferry Ghat. Our Ferry was named as Jungle Queen and that’s the name of our Group as well for next 2 days. After sailing for half an hour, we stopped for the First Sight Seeing Hamilton Bunglow located at Gosaba Island. There we had half an hour to explore the Sight which was sufficient to discover the same completely. You can click some good photographs there.
Then we started sailing to enter the largest mangrove forest. Lunch was arranged at the House Boat only. It was prepared with complete local taste and that was amazing. Then, we sailed for around 3 hours to reach our Resort. It’s was a Premium and Comfortable Property scattered in 5-6 Acres of Land, highly spacious full of Trees and Water Pools. At 7, we were invited to enjoy the Traditional Tribal Folk Dance along with Snacks & Tea. Then, at 9:30 PM we were served with our Dinner.
[…] to Kolkata (about 3-4 hours), then join a Sunderban boat tour. Curious? Dive into my detailed Sunderban travel guide for tips on bookings, best seasons, and hidden […]
I have been to Sundarban many times but always had the scarcity of informations related to wonderful spots to visit. Well narrated DikshaVerse, got to know about many new places to visit in Sundarbans.