Flamingo Watching Boat Safari Airoli

Flamingo boat safari Mumbai in Thane creek Flamingo Sanctuary near Bhandup Pumping Station runs from October to May depending upon tide timings (high tide). 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. 

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. 

Birds of Thane Creek:

1. Lesser Flamingo 
2. Greater Flamingo 
3. Common Sandpiper
4. Wood Sandpiper
5. Common Teal
6. Northern Shoveler
7. Grey Heron 
8. Pond Heron
9. Black Winged Stilt
10. Black tailed Godwit
11. Little Cormorant 
12. Little Stint 
13. Common Redshank
14. Red wattle lapwing 
15. Little Egret 
16. Intermediate Egret
17. Great Egret 
18. Common Kingfisher 
19. White Throated Kingfisher 
20. Painted Stork
21. Black Ibis
22. Osprey
23. Oriental Honey Buzzard 
24. Eurasian Marsh Harrier 
25. Brahminy Kite 
26. Little Ringed Plover 
27. Green Sandpiper 
28. Marsh Sandpiper 
29. Common Greenshank 
30. Spotted redshank 
31. Pied Avocet
32. Brown Headed Gull 
33. Pallas's Gull 
34. Whiskered Tern 
35. Lesser Crested Tern 
36. Little Tern 
37. Asian Palm swift 
38. Wire tailed Swallow 
39. Rose ringed parakeet 
40. Purple Sunbird 
41. Purple Rumped sunbird 
42. Ashy Prinia 
43. Long tailed shrike 
44. Zitting Cisticola 
45. Red whiskered Bulbul 
46. Red vented bulbul 
47. White eared Bulbul 
48. Asian Koel 
49. Greater Coucal 
50. Green Bee Eater
51. Blue Tailed Bee eater 
52. Copper smith Barbet 
53. Barn Swallow 
54. Common Iora 
55. Southern Grey Shrike 
56. Black Drongo 
57. Indian Golden Oriole 
58. Brahminy Starling 
59. Asian Pied Starling 
60. White Spotted fantail 
61. Common Tailorbird 
62. Green Warbler 
63. Scaly Breasted Munia 

Type:                     Birdwatching

No of days:         01

Grade:                  Easy

Region:                 Nahur/Airoli

Trail time:            2 – 3Hrs

Meeting point:

Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary Entry gate, Bhandup Pumping Station, Nahur

Guided Boat Safari 

• Guided Boat Safari for 1 hour
• Forest Entry Fee
• Use of Birding equipment (Binoculars) & Bird book 
•  1 water bottle 
• Professional wildlife naturalist host of the experience
• GST 5%

Only Boat Safari 

• Boat Safari for 1 hour 
• 1 Water bottle  
• GST 5% 

• Transportation from origin to meeting point 
• Parking fee
• Camera fee
• Breakfast, Snacks or any other meals 
• 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: