Marine National Park Jamnagar

Jamnagar has the Countries first Marine National Park, since 1982

This is one of the rare places in the world where one can look at corals without having to dive down into the water.

One just has to walk in the water, when the tide ebbs, in about 1 to 2 feet of water and watch this fascinating underwater world of corals.

The fascinating underwater world of the Marine Sanctuary & National Park.

162.89 Square Kilometers of Marine National Park and 457.92 Square Kilometers of Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Kutch at Jamnagar offers exotic sightings for people willing to go on an adventure trip in this area.

In the Gulf of Kutch, 42 islands sit like little gems in the Arabian Sea. Fringed by coral reefs, sandy beaches and mangrove swamps, these islands are a treasure-trove of marine species and a paradise for birdwatchers.

One can see, octopus, jelly fish, star fish, colourful corals, exotic marine flowering plants, puffer fish, sea horse, huge green sea turtles, lobsters, dolphins, etc.

And if one is very lucky then maybe a dugong which resembles seals.

Of the 42 islands, the most popular island is Pirotan (old name is "Pir jo thaan" meaning the place of the holy Saint Khwaja Khizer RahmatAllah).

The Marine Sanctuary area has:

• Excellent Coral Reefs
• 37 species of Hard & Soft Corals
• 70 species of Sponges
• 27 species of Prawns
• 30 species of Crabs
• 200 species of Molluscs
• Endangered Sea Turtles like the Green Sea, Olive Ridley & Leather Back.
• 3 Species of Sea Mammals
• 94 species of Water Birds
• 78 species of terrestrial birds
• 108 species of brown, green & red Algae

There are beautiful islands here where one can see pristine & non corrupted sandy beaches...

 

Pirotan Island

Pirotan Island is about 12 nautical miles from Bedi port. Its a 2 hours journey by the boats available. You have to board the boat from Bedi port (20 minute drive from the city)

Sailing admist the creeks, taking the curves covered with Mangroves on both sides on the way to Pirotan is also a wonderful experience...

You are sure to see lots of birds on the Islands and you also have a chance of spotting the playful dolphins..

For access to the Marine National Park, one has to take permissions from the Forest Department, The Customs Department & the Port.

In case of foreign tourists additional permission from the Police Department is also needed.

The fact which makes it worth planning a trip beforehand is that, one has to confirm the tide timings, as the boat can reach the pirotan island only when its full tide, the high tide has a 12 hours cycle...ie; if today high tide is at 6AM then next high tide will be at 6PM..

The tide timings keep changing everyday, so one should checkup the tide timings with organizers as to when the day will be favorable...

As a rule of thumb, the lunar or the Gujarati dates of 5th, 6th & 7th are the most favorable, when the high tide time is at day break

One should be able to go to the island for the adventure trip, in the morning and come back in the evening as the Island is so unexploited that no facilities have been developed yet... Not even drinking water is available on the island.

The only people there on the island are Forest Guard, Light House people & Mujhavar (Server) at Holy Saint Khwaja Khizer R.A. Dargah.

Visiting the Pirotan Island in fishing boats is prohibited.