Things to Do in the Sundarbans: Creek Safaris, Watchtowers & Village Life

Take a creek safari

Most time in the Sundarbans is spent on a motor boat, following wide rivers and narrow side creeks through the mangroves. Guides watch the mudbanks for tiger pugmarks, crocodiles basking at low tide and deer at the forest edge. Visitors are not allowed to step onto the forest floor except at designated watchtower sites.

Tide timings shape the day; low tide exposes the mudflats and makes wildlife easier to spot.

Time needed

2–3 days

Best time

October to March

Good for

Nature lovers, families

Good to know

Permit required; stay on board

Look for crocodiles, deer and birds

Estuarine crocodiles, spotted deer, rhesus macaques, water monitors, wild boar and mudskippers are commonly seen. The Sundarbans are also rich in birds, including several species of kingfisher, herons, egrets, brahminy kites and white-bellied sea eagles. Winter brings migrants.

Best time

Winter mornings

Keep your tiger expectations realistic

Tigers here are elusive and live in dense mangrove. Sightings do happen, usually from boats or watchtowers, but they are rare. Enjoy the forest for itself; a tiger is a bonus.

Visit Sajnekhali

Sajnekhali, the main entry point, has the forest office where permits are checked, a watchtower, a mangrove interpretation centre, a crocodile and turtle enclosure, and a small temple to Bonbibi, the forest goddess.

Time needed

1 hour

Climb Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki watchtowers

Sudhanyakhali watchtower overlooks a freshwater pond where animals come to drink, and it is considered one of the better spots for sightings. Dobanki has a canopy walk, a caged elevated walkway of about half a kilometre through the mangroves, a few metres above the ground.

Good for

Everyone

See Netidhopani

Netidhopani, deeper in the reserve, has a watchtower and the ruins of a centuries-old temple linked to the folk tale of Behula. Access depends on permits and the route of your boat.

Watch a Bonbibi performance

Islanders of all faiths worship Bonbibi, the goddess who protects people in the forest. Many lodges arrange evening performances of Bonbibi's story and local folk music by village troupes.

Best time

Evening

Walk through a village

Gosaba, Pakhirala, Bali and other islands have villages of fishermen, honey collectors and farmers. A guided walk shows embankments against the tide, ponds, paddy fields and daily life. In Gosaba, the bungalow of Sir Daniel Hamilton, who set up cooperative settlements here in the early 20th century, can be seen.

Good for

Culture seekers

Eat fresh Bengali fish

Meals on the boat or at lodges usually feature fresh fish and prawns from local waters, cooked in Bengali style with mustard, rice and dal. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Good for

Food lovers

Learn about the honey collectors

Every spring, licensed groups of mouals (honey collectors) enter the forest to gather wild honey, one of the most dangerous jobs in the delta because of tigers. Some villages sell Sundarbans honey, and local guides can explain how communities have adapted to living beside the forest, including the cooperatives and self-help groups working on alternative livelihoods.

Good for

Culture seekers

What are the best things to do in the Sundarbans?

Take boat safaris through the creeks, visit the watchtowers at Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali and Dobanki, walk the canopy walk, look for crocodiles and birds, and see village life and Bonbibi performances.

Can I see a tiger in the Sundarbans?

It is possible but rare. The forest is dense and the tigers are elusive.

How many days are needed for the Sundarbans?

Two nights and three days is the practical minimum; three nights gives a better chance of sightings.

Do I need a permit?

Yes. A Forest Department permit is required and is usually arranged by your tour operator.