- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Book Now
- Important Note
- Things to carry
- Cancellation Policy
- Guide
- Gallery
- FAQ
Flamingo boat safari Mumbai in Thane creek Flamingo Sanctuary near Bhandup Pumping Station runs from December to May depending upon tide timings (high tide) from Nahur side leading to Airoli Creek. Join us to witness them. Thane Creek is an inlet in the shoreline of the Arabian Sea that isolates the city of Mumbai from the Indian mainland. It comprises the area between Mumbra Retibunder and the Mankhurd-Vashi Bridge.
The creek is divided into two parts. The first part lies between Ghodbunder and Thane. A section from where the Ulhas River flows from the north of Mumbai Island to meet the Arabian Sea in west. The second part of the waterway lies between the city of Thane and the Arabian Sea at Trombay / Uran, before the Gharapuri islands.
The region of the Thane Creek has been recognized as an Important Bird Area by the Bombay Natural History Society. It is home to various avian species. In particular, it harbors populations of flamingos and several other migratory and wading birds.
The Maharashtra Government has declared the area along the western bank of the Thane Creek as the "Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary". The total area of the TCF sanctuary is 1,690 hectares (896 hectares of mangrove forests and 794 hectares of a water body). The Flamingo Boat safari in Mumbai runs based on the high tide timings and is variable for each day. The slots are booked well in advance so if you wish to book one plan it at-least 7 days in advance.Â
Thane Creek was formed due to a seismic fault lying below it which runs from Uran to Thane. To learn more about Flamingos and other winter migratory birds on the shores and creeks of Mumbai join our nature enthusiasts group for a walk with an expert. We have groups every weekend until April and our group size is limited to 10 people with 1 expert.Â
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Birds of Thane Creek:
- Lesser FlamingoÂ
- Greater FlamingoÂ
- Common Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Common Teal
- Northern Shoveler
- Grey HeronÂ
- Pond Heron
- Black Winged Stilt
- Black tailed Godwit
- Little CormorantÂ
- Little StintÂ
- Common Redshank
- Red wattle lapwingÂ
- Little EgretÂ
- Intermediate Egret
- Great EgretÂ
- Common KingfisherÂ
- White Throated KingfisherÂ
- Painted Stork
- Black Ibis
- Osprey
- Oriental Honey BuzzardÂ
- Eurasian Marsh HarrierÂ
- Brahminy KiteÂ
- Little Ringed PloverÂ
- Green SandpiperÂ
- Marsh SandpiperÂ
- Common GreenshankÂ
- Spotted redshankÂ
- Pied Avocet
- Brown Headed GullÂ
- Pallas's GullÂ
- Whiskered TernÂ
- Lesser Crested TernÂ
- Little TernÂ
- Asian Palm swiftÂ
- Wire tailed SwallowÂ
- Rose ringed parakeetÂ
- Purple SunbirdÂ
- Purple Rumped sunbirdÂ
- Ashy PriniaÂ
- Long tailed shrikeÂ
- Zitting CisticolaÂ
- Red whiskered BulbulÂ
- Red vented bulbulÂ
- White eared BulbulÂ
- Asian KoelÂ
- Greater CoucalÂ
- Green Bee Eater
- Blue Tailed Bee eaterÂ
- Copper smith BarbetÂ
- Barn SwallowÂ
- Common IoraÂ
- Southern Grey ShrikeÂ
- Black DrongoÂ
- Indian Golden OrioleÂ
- Brahminy StarlingÂ
- Asian Pied StarlingÂ
- White Spotted fantailÂ
- Common TailorbirdÂ
- Green WarblerÂ
- Scaly Breasted MuniaÂ
Type: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Birdwatching
No of days:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 01
Grade: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Easy
Region: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nahur/Airoli
Trail time:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2hrs
Meeting point:
Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary Entry gate, Bhandup Pumping Station, Nahur
Itineraries
Day 1
Flamingo Boat Safari
Meet your host at the meeting point who will guide you further to the sanctuary. Head towards the boating start point and hop on for an hour long beautiful morning filled with flamingos all around. You will also witness some exotic wader birds and shore birds. This will be an excellent opportunity for photographers to capture this beautiful creature from low angle of eye level with an amazing backdrop of the mangroves or the flock. (Please be packed with some light snacks or breakfast).
Note: The timings of the boat safari is subject to tide timings.
Guided Boat Safari / Private Full Boat Safari
- Guided Boat Safari for 1 hour
- Forest Entry Fee
- Use of Binoculars per personÂ
- Field Guide sheet Â
- Â 1 water bottle (250ml)Â
- Professional wildlife naturalist host of the experience
- Gift souvenir from T3
- GST 5%
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Only Boat SafariÂ
- Boat Safari for 1 hourÂ
- Forest Entry Fee
- Field Guide SheetÂ
- Gift SouvenirÂ
- GST 5%Â
- Transportation from origin to meeting pointÂ
- Parking fee
- Camera fee
- Breakfast, Snacks or any other mealsÂ
- Anything not mentioned in Inclusions.
- Wildlife safaris/Bird watching is a matter of luck and opportunity. No guarantee of any sighting is made. Neither of our associates will quote that, although we try our best to spot and show you as much as nature allows us to.
- Birdwatching is a hobby and not a race, hence request all birders to maintain discipline at all times.
- Bird watching is an art of silence and key observation.
- Avoid Pointing out directly to a bird that might flush the bird away.
- Do not get too close to a bird for a photograph that you flush it away.
- Birdwatching should be enjoyed by binoculars and the fun is to spot them, identify them and if you still have some time with the bird photograph them.
- Never enter the forest with an intention of spotting a single species, it will only disappoint you. The forest is a gift packet with a lot to surprise with. Listen to our naturalist for more wonderful experience.
- Our walks are not target species specific (Unless specified)
- We explore everything we find uncommon and need to be explained.
- Any demand for spotting a single species in any jeep will not be entertained by the guide or the tour leader as there are other travellers who would want to see the birds etc.
- Respect & honour everything that is in the forest and it has to offer you.
- Enjoy being in the forest and you will feel much happier away from the concrete chaos.
- Respect the local, tribes, guards, guides, drivers, officers and all animals.
- Front seat of the Gypsy is always reserved for the Guide or Guard.
- No extra room will be made for photographers, respecting other travellers. (For photographers it is recommended to opt for higher options)
- No littering in the forest strictly. (what goes comes back the same way)
- Camera fees & guide tips to be paid separately & directly.
- Kindly follow the instructions given by the tour leader and the guide for your own safety.
- A Hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- A dust protection mask
- Personal Bottle (To avoid plastic use – 1LtrsX2)
- Small backpack for safaris (10Ltrs)
- Bird books
- Sun screen
- Only dull coloured clothes (Green, brown, Beige, Camouflage)
- Camera (At owners risk) with proper equipment for photography (As per need)
- Fleece/Jacket (temperatures drop in the forest to below 10 degree Celsius
- Binoculars
- Energy bars for safaris
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation period |
Cancellation Charges on Cost |
07 – 03 days |
50% |
03 days – 24 hours |
75% |
Less than 24 hours or No show |
100% |
Yes there is ample parking available there, but the charges are to paid directly.
We recommend of getting child above 7yrs of age to have a rich experience. Although there is no rule for an infant joining the safari.
Charges for all is the same as prices are based on per seat occupied.
The trail from the main gate is about 1km and will take us 45-60mins.
Flamingos and other waders (birds of the shore & creeks) are always near water entire day. Their presence is not subjective day light or heat. That reference is to see forest and other habitat birds. As boat rides are subject to tide timings and changes every day.
1hr is the boat ride
Yes, life jackets are provided during the boat rides.
One can spot over 50+ species on a good birding day on this trail.