Best Season / Best time to visit Sundarbans

The climate of Sundarbans is hot during summers and pleasant during winters. It is best to visit Sundarbans during September-March. 

• Winters (November to February) are really pleasant with atmospheric temperature goes down up to 10°C and not crossing a higher temperature of 34°C. It is really a good time for sightseeing and visiting wild life sanctuary.

• Summers (March to May) have hot atmosphere and maximum mercury level can soar up to 42°C. March is ideal for jungle activities and wildlife visits, while April and May has hot weather which makes it difficult for tourism. 

• Monsoons (June to September) months offer heavy monsoon rainfalls. 

It is not a good time for visiting wild life sanctuary but the green environs of the place is worth seeing. The major attractions of Sundarbans are the wildlife.

 The honey collection season falls on the summers. October and November offers pleasant weather which makes it perfect for wildlife activities. Rainfall in Sundarbans is quite heavy and it may not be a good time for wildlife trips but the scenic environs can be enjoyed.

Deatails of the Tourist-Spots in Indian Sundarbans:

How to Reach Sundarbans:

Air: The nearest airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at Kolkata (112 km). It takes 3 hours of road journey followed by 2 hours of motor-boat/launch ride to reach Sundarbans.

Rail: Local trains to Canning are available from Sealdah Rly. (S) Station. at regular intervals and takes about 1 & ½ hours with fare Rs.15. Rickshaw-vans are available from Canning to Godhkhali Jetty the start point of motor-boat journey to Sundabans.

Road: Sundarbans is about 110 km.by road from Kolkata. Bus services are available from 

Kolkata to Namkhana (105 km), 
Kolkata - Sonakhali (100 km),
Kolkata - Raidighi (76 km), 
Kolkata -Canning (64 km) and 
Kolkata - Najat of 24-Parganas

North district (92 km) which are thegate-ways of Sundarbans

And have access to river ways leading to sundarban forests.

Route Details:

Without package Tour, also go personally

From: Sealdah to Canning by train (1hr.15min), Canning to Godkhali by auto / bus /
               magic car (1hr.10min) via Sonakhali. OR

from: Canning to Golabari by auto/bus (50min) OR

from: Kolkata to Sonakhali/Godkhali by car / bus (2hrs/2.30min.)

 From: Baruipur to Godkhali, Jharkhali Direct bus within after 30 min.

Tourist Spots in Indian Sundarbans

[with item of interest in bracket]

1. Sajnekhali (mangrove interpretation Centre) 

2. Sudhannyakhali (watch tower, mangrove Park) 

3. Dobanki (canopy walk)

4. Netidhopani (watch tower & shrine)
5. Burir Dabri (watch tower, mud walk, cage-trail of mangroves)
6. Jhingakhali (tourist cottage, watch tower)

7. Harinbhanga (water cruise & tower)Tower 

8. Bonie Camp & Sundarkati (watchTower & eco-museum)
9. Bhagabatpur (crocodile project and nature interpretation Centre)
10. Kalas Dwip (sunset-beach, watch tower) 

11. Haliday Island (wildlife sanctuary of 6 sqr.km)
12. Lothian Island (wildlife sanctuary of 38 sqr.km)
13. Chulkati-Dhulivasani (watch tower, big rivers & wildlife area) 

14. Jharkhali (Tiger Rescue & Rehability Centre, mini zoo, butterfly garden)
15. Jatar Deul (shrine) 

16. Bakkhali (sea beach)
17. Frazergunj-Bakkhali - Henry's Island (beaches & forests)
18. Jambu Dwip 

19. Gangasagar or Sagar Island (holy place & shrine)
20. Kaikhali (picnic spot)
21. Piyali (picnic spot)
22. Diamond Hourdour 

23 Ghutiari Sharif (holy place & shrine)
24. Canning (gateway of Sundarbans)
25. Chandraketugarh (Histotycal Place, N24 Pgs.), 

26. Machranga Dwip (Picnic spot, near river N 24 Pgs.), 

27. Dhuturdaha (Picnic spot, N 24 Pgs.)
28. Morichjhapi (near forest).

Uniqueness of Sundarbans :

World’s Largest Delta  –  World’s Largest Mangrove Forests  –  Highly Productive Ecosystem  –  Natural Fish Nursery  – Highest Population of Tiger in the World – Recognized World Heritage Site by UNESCO, 1987).

(A) Sundarban is an unique and extremely beautiful landscape with innumerable rivers, rivulets and creeks crisscrossing the vast forest areas into many chunks of forests smaller to larger in sizes. Thus the area is approachable only on board a launch or boat to see the mangrove forests. Moreover, the wildlife can be seen only when they are in the open mud-flats.

(B)  The mud flats are exposed according to the unique tidal rhythm i.e. every 6 hours the entire Sundarban forest is inundated by the high tide. Thereafter, the saline water recedes and the mud-flats & forests are exposed.

(C) The land actually developed through the process of sedimentation, subsidence and down-wrapping of sediments. On the other hand, the tidal estuaries deposit vast amount of nutrient-rich silt in the deltaic region. Occasional thunder storm, cyclones-norwesters, storm surges and raising salinity level of rivers occur during post-monsoon season. 

Semi-diurnal type tidal inundation regulates the hydrology of the forests.

(1) Sajnekhali:

Sajnekhali being the gateway of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve and very popular among visitors, is actually a part of ‘Pirkhali jungle’ of Sajnekhali Wild Life Sanctuary. It has a 

(1) Mangrove Interpretation Centre for information on Mangroves and the Ecosystem 

(2) An Watch Tower for viewing wildlife 

(3) An estuarine Crocodile Pond and Turtle Pond 

(4) A Bono Bibi Temple. 

(5) A Tourist lodge of West Bengal Tourism Dev. Corpn. is also located here with an watch tower.

One Station Office of the Tiger Reserve is there and permission to enter the Sundarban Tiger Reserve can be obtained from that office.

A bird watcher’s careful search can find the followings: 7- colourful species of the Kingfisher, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Plovers, Lap-Wings, Curlews, Whimbrel, Sandpipers and even the occasional Pelican. The students and researchers may also find it as an ideal place for their study materials and specimens.

Where to stay: when the Tour is without hiring Launch/Boat

(A) Sajnekhali : nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts

1. Sundarban tiger Camp : Dayapur Island, +91 32 935749 (info@sunderbantigercamp), Star Classified, opposite Sajnekhali forests, conference facilities, Tents, Huts and Cottages, A/C also vegetarian options, sight see by boat.

2. Sundarbans Jungle Camp : Bali Island, +91 321821494, per Help Tourism 2485458

3. M.B India Beacons: Sajnekhali, +91 3324191976, and houseboat with 2 rooms for 7 persons. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night.

4. Sundarbanrove Retreat : Jemspur, www.sunderban mangrove.com,+91 33 24994367, A/C (2 persons) Rs.10,345, Non-A/C-Rs. 10,075, Cottage-Rs. 10,000

5. Sundarban Riverside Holiday Resort, Dayapur: +91 9088537500 info@sundarbanresort.com. 

6. ICNL Field Camp: Annpur Island, It is suitable for School, College and University groups for their trips and for research, documentation, filming programmes. It can accommodate around 40 people in 13 rooms in total. They also have launch and motor boat. Cont: mrinalchatt54@gmail.com, +91 9674529522/ 9339830280

7. Krishnakungja : +91 9733558583, Hotel Mangrove : +91 9874743353

Tour Operators [Tour Operators based at Canning, Gosaba and Kolkata]

1. Govt. : Tourism Cenrte, West Bengal Tourism Development Corp. Ltd., 3/2 BBD Bad (near Great Eastern Hotel), Kol-1 +91 33 2210 3199, 33 2248 8271

2. SUNDARBAN TIGER CAMP- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Deluxe cottage, executive room


3. BANALATA TRAVELS- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Cont: Rampada Mandal, +91 9830549149. www.sunderbanbanalata.com


4. THE ROYAL SUNDARBAN TOURIST CENTRE
Launch MV Monorama Cont : Shasadhar Manna. +91 9474007550, Fax- 03218 255 594. email- mannacan13@gmail.com. www.sundarbanmannada.com

5. ANAMIKA TRAVELS- Launch MV Kanchanjangha. Cont : Mihir Bhadra, +91 9732773033
6. GHOSH TRAVELS- Launch MV Shree Ramkrishna, Biswajoyi & MB Rajanigandha (Mini)/Cont : Mahadeb/ Arun Ghosh- +91 9732545726, +91 9332064338


7. SUNDARBAN BHRAMAN SATHI- Lanch MV Sagardut. Cont : Samir Mandal, +91 9732545714 /+91 9734351502

8. SUNDARBAN MANGROVE RETREAT  Cont : www.sunderban mangrove.com +91 33 24994367,

9. SUNDARBAN GATEWAY RESORT - Cont :+91 033 2227 7400. Email: panways@yahoo.com

10. SUNDARBAN NATIONAL PARK- Cont: +91 033 24610599 , sanrajtours@gmail.com


11.  REVERSIDE HOLIDY RESORTR- +91 9088537500, info@sundarbanresort.com

12. SURANJANA RESORT- Cont : +91 9433556126, www. contact@suranjanaholidayresort.com


13. BANANI RESORT- Cont : +91 9836904990, email : bananiresort@gmail.com


14. SUNDARBAN TIGER ROAR- Cont : Bibek Deb Purakayastha, +91 9820311520 / email : tiger.roarsunderban@gmail.com / www.sunderbantigerroar.com


15. SUNDARVILLA- Cont : +91 9831023824, Fax: +91 033 22107954 / email eligindia@yahoo.co.uk,www.sundarvilla.com,

16. ROYAL SUNDARBAN RESORTR- (Jharkhali)- Cont : +91 9331911437, Fax : +91 033        22845062 / email : ttmi2@yahoo.com/ www.ttmi2.com


17. HOTEL MAHAMAYA (Raidighi) - Cont: +91 9734650122, +91 7872339297

18. SREE GURU TRAVELS (Canning)- Cont : +91 9732659369, +91 9800930016 kumudgharami@yahoo.com.

TARIFF : Depends upon number of persons. Children above 4 years of age, full charge. Children upto 4 yrs of age, Minimum No. of 2 Persons, Maximaum 50s. Complementery, sharing food and bed with parents the hotel/resort.

(2) Sudhannyakhali:

Sudhanyakhali is nearby Sajnekhali (20 mini journey). It is located inside a creek of the adjacent river Sudhanyakhli. At Sudhanyakhali there is a Mangrove Park with varieties of mangrove plants and a Watch Tower beside a pond to see wildlife on a stretch of cleaned-up ‘observation areas’.

 A lucky visitor can see a tiger here as most of the tigers are sighted from this tower. In the sweet water pond animals come to drink water. The common sighting of other animals are wild boar, spotted deer, monkey, monitor lizard, jungle fowl, varieties of birds, crabs, mud-skipper and even the snakes like king cobra, pit-viper.

(3) Dobanki:

Dobanki is also within Pirkhali jungle at the south-western part of Sajnekhali wildlife sanctuary and is about 2 ½ hours journey from Sajnekhali. The place is famous for its newly built ‘Canopy Walk’ of 150 m. leading to a Watcher Tower. The feeling of walking through it at a high of Canopy of mangrove forests gives thrilling experience to the tourist. A Deer Acclimatization Centre is there for spotted treatment, multiplication and acclimatization to mangrove condition. The forest area is high tiger, wild boar, fishing & jungle cats, e

Where to stay: when the Tour is without hiring Launch/Boat

(A) Sajnekhali : nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts
1. Sundarban tiger Camp : Dayapur Island, +91 32 935749 (info@sunderbantigercamp), Star Classified, opposite Sajnekhali forests, conference facilities, Tents, Huts and Cottages, A/C also vegetarian options, sight see by boat.


2. Sundarbans Jungle Camp : Bali Island, +91 321821494, per Help Tourism 2485458
3. M.B India Beacons: Sajnekhali, +91 3324191976, and houseboat with 2 rooms for 7 persons. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night.


4. Sundarbanrove Retreat : Jemspur, www.sunderban mangrove.com,+91 33 24994367, A/C (2 persons) Rs.10,345, Non-A/C-Rs. 10,075, Cottage-Rs. 10,000


5. Sundarban Riverside Holiday Resort, Dayapur: +91 9088537500 info@sundarbanresort.com.


6. ICNL Field Camp: Annpur Island, It is suitable for School, College and University groups for their trips and for research, documentation, filming programmes. It can accommodate around 40 people in 13 rooms in total. They also have launch and motor boat. Cont: mrinalchatt54@gmail.com, +91 9674529522/ 9339830280



7. Krishnakungja : +91 9733558583, Hotel Mangrove : +91 9874743353

Tour Operators [Tour Operators based at Canning, Gosaba and Kolkata]

1. Govt. : Tourism Cenrte, West Bengal Tourism Development Corp. Ltd., 3/2 BBD Bad (near Great Eastern Hotel), Kol-1 +91 33 2210 3199, 33 2248 8271


2. SUNDARBAN TIGER CAMP- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Deluxe cottage, executive room


3. BANALATA TRAVELS- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Cont: Rampada Mandal, +91 9830549149. www.sunderbanbanalata.com


4. THE ROYAL SUNDARBAN TOURIST CENTRE
Launch MV Monorama Cont : Shasadhar Manna. +91 9474007550, Fax- 03218 255 594. email- mannacan13@gmail.com. www.sundarbanmannada.com


5. ANAMIKA TRAVELS- Launch MV Kanchanjangha. Cont : Mihir Bhadra, +91 9732773033


6. GHOSH TRAVELS- Launch MV Shree Ramkrishna, Biswajoyi & MB Rajanigandha (Mini)/
Cont : Mahadeb/ Arun Ghosh- +91 9732545726, +91 9332064338


7. SUNDARBAN BHRAMAN SATHI- Lanch MV Sagardut. Cont : Samir Mandal, +91 9732545714 /+91 9734351502


8. SUNDARBAN MANGROVE RETREAT  Cont : www.sunderban mangrove.com +91 33 24994367,


9. SUNDARBAN GATEWAY RESORT - Cont :+91 033 2227 7400. Email: panways@yahoo.com

10. SUNDARBAN NATIONAL PARK- Cont: +91 033 24610599 , sanrajtours@gmail.com

11.  REVERSIDE HOLIDY RESORTRi- +91 9088537500, info@sundarbanresort.com

12. SURANJANA RESORT- Cont : +91 9433556126, www. contact@suranjanaholidayresort.com

13. BANANI RESORT- Cont : +91 9836904990, email : bananiresort@gmail.com

14. SUNDARBAN TIGER ROAR- Cont : Bibek Deb Purakayastha, +91 9820311520 / email : tiger.roarsunderban@gmail.com / www.sunderbantigerroar.com


15. SUNDARVILLA- Cont : +91 9831023824, Fax: +91 033 22107954 / email eligindia@yahoo.co.uk,www.sundarvilla.com,

16. ROYAL SUNDARBAN RESORTR- (Jharkhali)- Cont : +91 9331911437, Fax : +91 033 22845062 / email : ttmi2@yahoo.com/ www.ttmi2.com

(4) Netidhopani:

Netidhopani is located at the extreme of tourism zone of Sundarban Tiger Reserve and beyond which i.e. the south are allowed. The Netidhopani forest is harboring about 32 tigers along with other wildlife of Sundarbans.  

The place is famous for the legendary tale of ‘Behula -Lakhinder’. The place has Watch Tower and ruins of a 400 years old brick temple said to be the temple of ‘Chand Sowdagar’ a merchant of old times. It is also believed that the road still existing on the extreme right of the forest, was built by the famous king Pratapaditya to guard the coastal area. It is now covered with earth. The legend of Behula and Lakhindar has it that Behula, while accompanying her dead husband on his last journey on the boat, was passing the bank of what is now called Netidhopani, saw an interesting thing.

 A woman was washing clothes and a child was continually disturbing her. Annoyed, she sprinkled some water on the boy. The boy became lifeless. The woman finished her laundry and then again sprinkled some water on the boy, chanting some mantras, to bring him back to life. Behula decided in a flash that this was the person who could bring her husband back to life. She rowed the boat to the bank and asked the lady (Netidhopani) to teach her the verses. This lady was then instrumental in bringing back her husband’s life.

 Where to stay: when the Tour is without hiring Launch/Boat

(A) Sajnekhali : nearby Hotels/ Lodge/Resorts

1. Sundarban tiger Camp : Dayapur Island, +91 32 935749 (info@sunderbantigercamp), Star Classified, opposite Sajnekhali forests, conference facilities, Tents, Huts and Cottages, A/C also vegetarian options, sight see by boat.


2. Sundarbans Jungle Camp : Bali Island, +91 321821494, per Help Tourism 2485458

3. M.B India Beacons: Sajnekhali, +91 3324191976, and houseboat with 2 rooms for 7 persons. A unique experience of cruising during the day and staying in the middle of the river at night.


4. Sundarbanrove Retreat : Jemspur, www.sunderban mangrove.com,+91 33 24994367, A/C (2 persons) Rs.10,345, Non-A/C-Rs. 10,075, Cottage-Rs. 10,000

5. Sundarban Riverside Holiday Resort, Dayapur: +91 9088537500 info@sundarbanresort.com.

6. ICNL Field Camp: Annpur Island, It is suitable for School, College and University groups for their trips and for research, documentation, filming programmes. It can accommodate around 40 people in 13 rooms in total. They also have launch and motor boat. Cont: mrinalchatt54@gmail.com, +91 9674529522/ 9339830280


7. Krishnakungja : +91 9733558583, Hotel Mangrove : +91 9874743353

Tour Operators [Tour Operators based at Canning, Gosaba and Kolkata]

1. Govt. : Tourism Cenrte, West Bengal Tourism Development Corp. Ltd., 3/2 BBD Bad (near Great Eastern Hotel), Kol-1 +91 33 2210 3199, 33 2248 8271

2. SUNDARBAN TIGER CAMP- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Deluxe cottage, executive room

3. BANALATA TRAVELS- Pick up from kolkata (by luxury bus/super deluxe/ push back-big and small, big & small car (AC/ Non AC) and bsack to kolkata. Cont: Rampada Mandal, +91 9830549149. www.sunderbanbanalata.com

4. THE ROYAL SUNDARBAN TOURIST CENTRE
Launch MV Monorama Cont : Shasadhar Manna. +91 9474007550, Fax- 03218 255 594. email- mannacan13@gmail.com. www.sundarbanmannada.com

5. ANAMIKA TRAVELS- Launch MV Kanchanjangha. Cont : Mihir Bhadra, +91 9732773033

6. GHOSH TRAVELS- Launch MV Shree Ramkrishna, Biswajoyi & MB Rajanigandha (Mini)/
Cont : Mahadeb/ Arun Ghosh- +91 9732545726, +91 9332064338


7. SUNDARBAN BHRAMAN SATHI- Lanch MV Sagardut. Cont : Samir Mandal, +91 9732545714 /+91 9734351502

8. SUNDARBAN MANGROVE RETREAT  Cont : www.sunderban mangrove.com +91 33 24994367,

9. SUNDARBAN GATEWAY RESORT - Cont :+91 033 2227 7400. Email: panways@yahoo.com

10. SUNDARBAN NATIONAL PARK- Cont: +91 033 24610599 , sanrajtours@gmail.com

11.  REVERSIDE HOLIDY RESORTRi- +91 9088537500, info@sundarbanresort.com

12. SURANJANA RESORT- Cont : +91 9433556126, www. contact@suranjanaholidayresort.com

13. BANANI RESORT- Cont : +91 9836904990, email : bananiresort@gmail.com

14. SUNDARBAN TIGER ROAR- Cont : Bibek Deb Purakayastha, +91 9820311520 / email :
tiger.roarsunderban@gmail.com / www.sunderbantigerroar.com

15. SUNDARVILLA- Cont : +91 9831023824, Fax: +91 033 22107954 / email eligindia@yahoo.co.uk,www.sundarvilla.com,

16. ROYAL SUNDARBAN RESORTR- (Jharkhali)- Cont : +91 9331911437, Fax : +91 033 22845062 / email : ttmi2@yahoo.com/ www.ttmi2.com

17. HOTEL MAHAMAYA (Raidighi) - Cont: +91 9734650122, +91 7872339297

18. SREE GURU TRAVELS (Canning)- Cont : +91 9732659369, +91 9800930016 kumudgharami@yahoo.com.