National park · India
West SundarbansWest Sundarbans Sanctuary
Visit West Sundarbans for a day: take the 2‑hour guided mangrove walk from Bhagabatpur (cost ₹300 – ₹500) in the dry season, or join a 4‑hour boat‑and‑hike combo to Haliday Island in Oct–Feb; avoid monsoon months (Jun–Sep).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Approximate; official boundary not published (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kolkata
West Sundarbans is a mangrove sanctuary west of Sundarbans National Park in South 24 Parganas, offering guided walks, boat trips to islands, and wildlife such as Bengal tigers, estuarine crocodiles and Gangetic dolphins.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate; official boundary not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kolkata.
Why go
- Mangrove forest with Bengal tiger, estuarine crocodile and Gangetic dolphin.
- Remote temples and islands like Jatar Deul and Haliday Island.
- Birdwatching for resident and migratory species.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool, wildlife active
- FebDry, good visibility
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon heat
- AprHot, occasional showers
- MayHeat rises, early rains
- JunMonsoon begins, floods
- JulHeavy rain, tides high
- AugPeak monsoon, trails muddy
- SepRain eases, still wet
- OctDry, clear, wildlife visible
- NovCool, dry, good for trekking
- DecCool, low humidity
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Estuarine crocodileOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Gangetic dolphinOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Jungle catOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kolkata (airport or train)
Train or bus to Kakdwip (≈3 h), then 30 min road to Bhagabatpur gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Kolkata (bus)
Direct bus to Jaynagar Majilpur, then local taxi to gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Kolkata (car)
Hire a car with driver; 200 km (124 mi) via NH12, 4 h.Hire a car with driver; 124 mi (200 km) via NH12, 4 h.
4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bhagabatpur headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, short mangrove trail, crocodile project. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Haliday Island area | Island trek and wildlife spotting. | Boat + guide required. |
| Jatar Deul temple zone | Historic brick temple on a hill. | Open, no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from listed points; central location approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (Bhagabatpur gate) | INR 300–500 (≈ US$4–6) | person | Includes basic guide for short walk (check). |
| Boat ride to Haliday Island | INR 800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) | person | Round‑trip, includes small‑boat guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Boat/guide permit for islands permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300–500≈ US$4–6
- ₹800–1,200≈ US$10–14
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short trail at Bhagabatpur.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no open fires.
- Boating routes
- Follow permitted routes; no deviation to protect wildlife.check
- Fishing
- Prohibited within the sanctuary.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without special permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Kakdwip town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 30 min from gate.
In the park
Bonnie Camp
Basic eco‑camp on the river, book via local operator.
Safety
Tiger encounters high
Crocodile bites medium
Tides and flooding medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Bhagabatpur entrance reachable by road; short walk is wheelchair‑incompatible due to mud.
- Island treks involve uneven terrain and boat transfers; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use approved boat operators that follow the permitted routes.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from mangrove wood or animal parts.
- Support local eco‑lodges that reinvest in conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter West Sundarbans?
Entry fee at Bhagabatpur gate is ₹300 – ₹500 per person; boat rides to islands cost extra ₹800 – ₹1200.
What are the best hikes in West Sundarbans?
Short mangrove walk at Bhagabatpur (1–2 h) and the moderate 3–4 h trek to Haliday Island are the main trails.
When is the best time to visit West Sundarbans?
Dry months Oct–Feb give the best conditions; avoid monsoon June–Sep.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the short trail at the entrance and for boat trips to islands.
Is camping allowed?
Camping is not permitted in the forest; stay at Bonnie Camp or nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about West Sundarbans
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