• Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
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  • Important Note
  • Things to carry
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Guide
  • 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. 

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:            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 person 
  • Field Guide sheet  
  •  1 water bottle (250ml) 
  • Professional wildlife naturalist host of the experience
  • Gift souvenir from T3
  • GST 5%

 

Only Boat Safari 

  • Boat Safari for 1 hour 
  • Forest Entry Fee
  • Field Guide Sheet 
  • Gift Souvenir 
  • GST 5% 
  • Transportation from origin to meeting point 
  • Parking fee
  • Camera fee
  • Breakfast, Snacks or any other meals 
  • Anything not mentioned in Inclusions.
Please wait...
  • 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.