Top 7 Places to Visit in The Sundarbans, West Bengal
Lying on the edge of the map of West Bengal and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans delta is formed by the confluence of three rivers— the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The Sundarbans delta covers an enormous piece of land, laden with marshy plants and rich wildlife.
The abundance of strong timber trees, namely Sundari trees, has given the land its name. The Sundarbans delta has been acknowledged as the largest delta by UNESCO. It has also been classed as a heritage site by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Owing to its large forest zones, the area is covered with wild species like saltwater crocodiles and Ganges dolphins. Not to forget, the Sundarbans Forest is home to the widely known Royal Bengal Tigers. People flock in millions to witness the natural beauty of the Sundarbans mangrove forest and the rich flora & fauna it has to offer.
7 Places to Include in Your Sundarban Tour Package
Now, with so much to see and so much to do, we’ve put together a list of places to visit in the Sundarbans. Give it a go!
1. Kanak Island and The Famous Olive Ridley Turtles
A beautiful island encompassed by clear waters— Kanak Island is craved by groups of tourists for its picturesque views. Kanak Island is not only known for its aesthetic landscape but also known to be the nesting zone for olive ridley turtles.
These turtles are called so because of their olive- hued, heart-shaped shells. However, they’re not a usual sight, besides winter. Keep your hopes high but not too high!
2. Bonnie Camp in Kalash Island
Kalash Island is a tiny island located in the southern part of the Sundarbans. Tourists have often witnessed Royal Bengal tigers coming to this island in search of fresh water. However, it’s prohibited to roam around without supervision here.
Named by the well-known Buddhadeb Guha, Bonnie Camp is an eco-conservation sanctuary. Known for its watchtower, people visit this camp to get a closer look at the Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, turtles and the deer enclosure within the premises. It also allows a clear view of the well-known Bono Bibi Temple in the neighbourhood.
3. Netidhopani Watch Tower
Located on the fringes of the core area of the Sundarbans National Park, this watchtower is popular among tourists. It is interlinked with the mythical traditions of Behula and Lakkhindar and receives quite the importance from residents and tourists.
The watchtower offers a clear view of the archaic Shiva Temple built around 400 years ago. It is also believed that there are roads in this area, constructed by medieval rulers like Pratapaditya.
4. Sajnekhali Watch Tower
A pleasant delight for all birdwatchers and enthusiasts. Located at the confluence of the Matla and Gumti rivers, the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary also houses the headquarters of the Forest Department.
The Sajnekhali watchtower offers a beautiful view, especially in the winter when the migratory birds flock to the delta. Species like pelicans, plovers, whimbrels, and more can be spotted.
5. Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
The sole initiative for crocodiles made in West Bengal is the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project. It is a hatchery located near Kalash Island, at the mouth of the Saptamukhi River. Thus, it comprises a wide range of wildlife— from turtles to tigers.
The crocodile project shelters a huge number of crocodiles and offers incubation of crocodile eggs to nurture them. The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project also gives a home to a unique species of turtles— Batagur Baska turtles. With a pointy mouth and a smooth shell, the turtle attracts tourists all year round.
6. Bono Bibi Temple
The best Sundarban tour package wouldn’t miss out on the Bonobibi temple. Tucked away in a small village called Emilibari, this temple houses the regional deity named Bono Bibi.
The goddess is known as the forest goddess who offers protection from natural calamities and carnivores. The worship is centered around practices of forest conservation and getting rid of evil spirits. Don’t miss out on the Bono Bibi Temple during your Sundarban visit.
7. Biswajit Sahu’s Museum
In an isolated village named Buraburir Tat resides a man named Biswajit Sahu. A museum named Gobardhanpur Sunderban Pratna Sangraha Sala was built by the genius after he had spent 35 years collecting artifacts from across Sundarban.
From stone inscriptions to fossils and semi-precious stones, Sahu has created a curio, paying homage to the antiquity of the Sundarbans. Not much has been heard of this museum; it is a treasure that looks back at the archaic days of the Sundarban forest area. When compiling a Sundarban tour itinerary, keep this hidden gem in mind.
Read more:
100+ Tips for Making your Sundarbans Tour Amazing
7 Interesting Facts About the Cultural Heritage of The Sundarbans
The Final Word
When going out on a Sundarban discovery expedition, you must make a list of places to visit. As the land is rich in flora, fauna, culture, and traditions – there’s not one bleak moment.
So, making a Sundarban tour itinerary isn’t a cakewalk. For those who want to go boating, there are Sundarban Tour Packages that include houseboat rides. For the birdwatchers, there are watchtowers like Sajnekhali and Sudhanya Khali. And if you’d like to try both, do so! Let us know what was your favourite part of visiting the Sundarbans Forest.