Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
4
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.0
31 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
2
jojo
Navi Mumbai, India2,867 contributions
Mar 2021
A paradise for nature lovers so close to city not fully explored. The information center, museum, mangroves, boating point and the bird watching point through bamboo brige were an experience. The timing was 9am to 6pm and the sunset views were not possible. Since the flamingos were seasonal it is better to check the arrival. The views through boats were not possible on regular basis. We could watch flamingoes very far and it was a wonderful experience.The Creek on the side of Airoli bridge and the wet areas were attractions for the nature lovers. The Center gave information of the bio diversity and there was a museum. The preservation of mangroves and keeping natural environment is the need of the hour against natural calamities.
Written 18 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rupa Malwe
Mumbai, India11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Entry fee: 50/-
Location: you could locate on Google maps by the name mentioned of the place.
Jetty ride: depends on the tide ( these days : morning 9-11 AM)
Carry your own food.
Best way to reach here by catching a train to Airoli and then hitch hiking your way to the location or could use an auto rickshaw.
Location: you could locate on Google maps by the name mentioned of the place.
Jetty ride: depends on the tide ( these days : morning 9-11 AM)
Carry your own food.
Best way to reach here by catching a train to Airoli and then hitch hiking your way to the location or could use an auto rickshaw.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vinod T
Mumbai, India2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Flamingo Sanctuary is situated near Airoli bridge. Its a calm and serene place with minimal staff and away from the noise of Mumbai. Easy to reach and ample parking space
Plan a visit during April, boating is fabulous. I had gone with children, youth and elders (~ 80 years) and no one had any regrets. One suggestion is ask for all info at the ticket counter as there is not much staff around and they will guide you appropriately
Plan a visit during April, boating is fabulous. I had gone with children, youth and elders (~ 80 years) and no one had any regrets. One suggestion is ask for all info at the ticket counter as there is not much staff around and they will guide you appropriately
Written 1 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vg88
16 contributions
Jan 2020
1)Good knowledgeable guide . He has 1 pair of binoculours
2)Boat is good . Life jacket in good condition
3)Trip starts 5-10 min late
4) Beautiful experience to watch the birds
5) Need a 400mm lens to be able to capture stunning shots. 250mm is not enough,
6) Very econominal and must visit to observe the migratory birds .
7) Bio diversity park is very good. Intreractive and good fun for kids .
2)Boat is good . Life jacket in good condition
3)Trip starts 5-10 min late
4) Beautiful experience to watch the birds
5) Need a 400mm lens to be able to capture stunning shots. 250mm is not enough,
6) Very econominal and must visit to observe the migratory birds .
7) Bio diversity park is very good. Intreractive and good fun for kids .
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr.Vijay Athalye,MD
Mumbai, India82 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
Flamingo means flame and in Sanskrit they are known as Agnipankh (perfect name)Same as Rohit birds.
Its a tall wading bird with mainly pink or scarlet plumage and long legs and neck. It has a heavy bent bill that is held upside down in the water in order to filter-feed on small organisms.
They are the every year guests from Rann of Kachcha to our Mumbai city ;usually from the months of October and November and are here till March and April.
People get curious when TOI or any friend puts their photographs but you have to take extra efforts to watch them.This write up is to motivate all nature lovers who lack the initiative.
We used to visit them since last so many years when they used to visit eastern coast of Mumbai in Sewri bay.
It was ONGC 's land near Sewri fort and we could see them from a foot's distance.
Many bird lovers and foreigners used to come with telescopic lensed big cameras and books on Indian birds.
Then due to pollution and other works these birds shifted north wise towards Bhandup and Airoli region and upto Navi Mumbai especially Seawoods and Nerul areas.
At Bhandup pumping station; we used to higher local fishermen's boats by paying them 500 rupees per boat and they used to take us through muddy,stinking jungles of mangroves and bylanes to main Thane creek till Airoli bridge.
But there were no safety precautions and no jetty and literally we used to get into the boat balancing on a narrow slippery pathway surrounded by marshy,muddy lands.
Once we were stuck in the mud for one and half hours due tp wrong route and had to wait till high tide water pused us away.
But now the things are easy.We can go to Airoli behind DAV school.
Maharashtra government declared an area of 1,690 hectares on the northern stretch of Thane Creek between Airoli and Vashi bridges as
"Mangrove Forest".
Now you can book the boats by visiting following office,you can block your seats on phone but have to go and pay them within 2 to 3 days.
There are two types of boats one 24 seater costa 450 rupees per seat and other speed boat 6600 rupees for seven persons .
The speed boat is one and half hours ride with binoculars and on board guides and can go into narrow lanes while big boat is one hour ride .
Both are equally goid and have life jackets and guide.
The contact details are as follows
Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre; Airoli
2, Diva Nagar Rd, Mangrove Forest, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 4007
Mobile no. for booking +91 99876 73737.
The centre will focus on creating awareness about wetlands, marine life, mangroves and coastal ecosystem through displays imported from Germany,It has a museum,huge parking space.bamboo walk.mangrove ride and jetty for biat rides.
In India we find two types of flamingos lesser and greater.
Young flamingos are called juvenile flamingis which hatch with greyish-red plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta-carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored, thus a more desirable mate!
Flamingos usually stand on one leg while the other is tucked beneath their bodies. The reason for this behaviour is not fully understood. One theory is that standing on one leg allows the birds to conserve more body heat, given that they spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water.However, the behaviour also takes place in warm water and is also observed in birds that do not typically stand in water. An alternative theory is that standing on one leg reduces the energy expenditure for producing muscular effort to stand and balance on one leg.
Flamingos filter-feed on brine shrimp and blue-green algae as well as larva, small insects, mollusks and crustaceans making them omnivores. Their bills are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat, and are uniquely used upside-down.
Flamingos are highly gregarious birds. Flocks numbering in the hundreds may be seen in long, curving flight formations and in wading groups The nest is a truncated cone of muddy clay piled up a few inches in a shallow lagoon; both parents share the monthlong incubation of the one or two eggs.
Lesser flamingos are identified by its smaller
size, deeper rose-pink overall, and darker, smaller beak that is more kinked.
While greater flamingos are very tall,rose-pink and white; the tallest bird to be seen on Thane Creek. Thinner, longer rose-pink legs than the Lesser; also, it has a larger, pinkish beak,
with a shallow bend (kink).
Its so awesome and wonderfull to see them flying in flocks like a ball of agni against blue sky.
First they walk on water like on a run way and take off smoothly maintaining oerfect distance between them which is better than any sophisticated aircrafts!
Along with them you get to see many oteher waterbirds like terns ,sandpipers,plovers,herons,egrets,pied avocets,gulls etc.
So friends,when are you visiting these lovely guests?@Dr.Vijay Athalye.2018.
Its a tall wading bird with mainly pink or scarlet plumage and long legs and neck. It has a heavy bent bill that is held upside down in the water in order to filter-feed on small organisms.
They are the every year guests from Rann of Kachcha to our Mumbai city ;usually from the months of October and November and are here till March and April.
People get curious when TOI or any friend puts their photographs but you have to take extra efforts to watch them.This write up is to motivate all nature lovers who lack the initiative.
We used to visit them since last so many years when they used to visit eastern coast of Mumbai in Sewri bay.
It was ONGC 's land near Sewri fort and we could see them from a foot's distance.
Many bird lovers and foreigners used to come with telescopic lensed big cameras and books on Indian birds.
Then due to pollution and other works these birds shifted north wise towards Bhandup and Airoli region and upto Navi Mumbai especially Seawoods and Nerul areas.
At Bhandup pumping station; we used to higher local fishermen's boats by paying them 500 rupees per boat and they used to take us through muddy,stinking jungles of mangroves and bylanes to main Thane creek till Airoli bridge.
But there were no safety precautions and no jetty and literally we used to get into the boat balancing on a narrow slippery pathway surrounded by marshy,muddy lands.
Once we were stuck in the mud for one and half hours due tp wrong route and had to wait till high tide water pused us away.
But now the things are easy.We can go to Airoli behind DAV school.
Maharashtra government declared an area of 1,690 hectares on the northern stretch of Thane Creek between Airoli and Vashi bridges as
"Mangrove Forest".
Now you can book the boats by visiting following office,you can block your seats on phone but have to go and pay them within 2 to 3 days.
There are two types of boats one 24 seater costa 450 rupees per seat and other speed boat 6600 rupees for seven persons .
The speed boat is one and half hours ride with binoculars and on board guides and can go into narrow lanes while big boat is one hour ride .
Both are equally goid and have life jackets and guide.
The contact details are as follows
Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre; Airoli
2, Diva Nagar Rd, Mangrove Forest, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 4007
Mobile no. for booking +91 99876 73737.
The centre will focus on creating awareness about wetlands, marine life, mangroves and coastal ecosystem through displays imported from Germany,It has a museum,huge parking space.bamboo walk.mangrove ride and jetty for biat rides.
In India we find two types of flamingos lesser and greater.
Young flamingos are called juvenile flamingis which hatch with greyish-red plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright red due to aqueous bacteria and beta-carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored, thus a more desirable mate!
Flamingos usually stand on one leg while the other is tucked beneath their bodies. The reason for this behaviour is not fully understood. One theory is that standing on one leg allows the birds to conserve more body heat, given that they spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water.However, the behaviour also takes place in warm water and is also observed in birds that do not typically stand in water. An alternative theory is that standing on one leg reduces the energy expenditure for producing muscular effort to stand and balance on one leg.
Flamingos filter-feed on brine shrimp and blue-green algae as well as larva, small insects, mollusks and crustaceans making them omnivores. Their bills are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat, and are uniquely used upside-down.
Flamingos are highly gregarious birds. Flocks numbering in the hundreds may be seen in long, curving flight formations and in wading groups The nest is a truncated cone of muddy clay piled up a few inches in a shallow lagoon; both parents share the monthlong incubation of the one or two eggs.
Lesser flamingos are identified by its smaller
size, deeper rose-pink overall, and darker, smaller beak that is more kinked.
While greater flamingos are very tall,rose-pink and white; the tallest bird to be seen on Thane Creek. Thinner, longer rose-pink legs than the Lesser; also, it has a larger, pinkish beak,
with a shallow bend (kink).
Its so awesome and wonderfull to see them flying in flocks like a ball of agni against blue sky.
First they walk on water like on a run way and take off smoothly maintaining oerfect distance between them which is better than any sophisticated aircrafts!
Along with them you get to see many oteher waterbirds like terns ,sandpipers,plovers,herons,egrets,pied avocets,gulls etc.
So friends,when are you visiting these lovely guests?@Dr.Vijay Athalye.2018.
Written 27 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJain
Mumbai, India153 contributions
Feb 2019
a flamingo site within your own crowded city, the site is just unbelivable and too good to be true. you must see it your own eyes to have this experience. government has done a lovely job by making visit official.
Written 4 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kavita
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Solo
Pathetic Boating/Safari team.
First they didnt know how to respond on whatsapp and over a call lady was particularly rude. On the day of ride i reached at bhandup gate where i had to pay extra 200 for camera and entry. Lady over a call disnt guide how to come inside and was only shouting pr scolding over call. This is not the way you treat customers. I was misguided whole time n in the end i was told that i have tomcome from airoli gate. Also jetty had left . I ended up wasting my tkt money plus gate pass amt. also bad experience and ruined early morning. Government should take care and scrutinise what kind of people thy make sit at their front desks and what services they are providing and treatment they give to ppl!!!!
Worst pathetic experience
First they didnt know how to respond on whatsapp and over a call lady was particularly rude. On the day of ride i reached at bhandup gate where i had to pay extra 200 for camera and entry. Lady over a call disnt guide how to come inside and was only shouting pr scolding over call. This is not the way you treat customers. I was misguided whole time n in the end i was told that i have tomcome from airoli gate. Also jetty had left . I ended up wasting my tkt money plus gate pass amt. also bad experience and ruined early morning. Government should take care and scrutinise what kind of people thy make sit at their front desks and what services they are providing and treatment they give to ppl!!!!
Worst pathetic experience
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GolakaNath
Mumbai, India1,578 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We visited the Sanctuary on 19th Feb for a boat trip to see Flamingos. We had to book the ticket (440 on holidays and 330 on weekdays) few days early by personally visiting the place (expensive to drive from Prabhadevi as it costs time, petrol, toll charges). We booked for 10.15AM trip for 19th Feb and were advised to come at about 9.15AM for some orientation. (This is nor necessary as it takes only few minutes to see the audio visual stuff and few minutes by the guide to explain about the birds.) You should reach before 15 minutes. One group of 4 visitors reached our boat 20 minutes late and we had to wait for them. First after reaching the lady in the counter told us that our trip will be at 11.30AM instead of 10.15AM and told us that they had informed us over phone. When we challenged by showing all Call logs, then they said they would try to accommodate us in 10.15AM slot. Initially they tried to tell us that the boats are late and when we asked what time the first boat leaves, they said it is 10.15AM. And we had booked for the first boat only. Actually it was a scam as they had promised few other photographers who had reached at 9.15AM seats in 10.15AM boat and wanted to swap unsuspecting visitors' seats with them by pushing other people to later time slots. When we challenged that we had booked for the first boat (at the time of booking they don't give any ticket but a small piece of paper - please ensure to get the time written on the paper to avoid all difficulties) and wanted to cancel the trip, they gave us the ticket for 10.15AM boat. We could see the photographers going for 11.30AM boat. The boating is privately managed and not by the Forest Dept. though the centre is run by Forest Dept. Finally our boat with 24 visitors started at 10.35AM for 1 hour trip. We saw Greater and lesser Flamingos from distance as the boat can not go near them. Hence, you will need at least a 500/600mm lens for seeing them well. We also saw Gulls, few other birds. It was a good trip but nothing compared to what we used to see in Sewri (specifically from the Masjid at the top of hill). I understand from other birding enthusiasts that Nerul NRI colony offers better sight.
Written 21 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kshma L
11 contributions
May 2018 • Family
We went for the flamingo safari, a little known attraction close to my place. Since it was a weekend, we had to book tickets in advance. The boat ride on the creek is about an hour, and we saw thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. The natural spectacle of the green lung, mangroves, was also very soothing to the eye. Very enjoyable trip and totally worth it. Tip for visitors -- call and make prior bookings for the flamingo safari since there are limited seats. Flip side is that you have to personally go and make the payment at least 2-3 days prior. Contact no. for booking is 9987673737
Written 29 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prabhat K
Mumbai, India168 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
This review is about the boat ride. We booked the slot for 6:30 am which meant that we had to get up at 4:45 , and leave home by 5:30 am to make it just in time . We were probably the last ones to make it to the boat but still had to wait for 10 mins for some officials. Those 10 mins are hell as the mosquitoes will just devour you . So please carry Odomos with you and wear full clothing . Those king size mosquitoes will make your life miserable till the boat starts. The ride was just awesome. Watching the sun rise with the flamingoes flying by was a spectacle to behold. There were fewer flamingoes than last year . However apart from flamingoes there are other birds too. There is one naturist who was really friendly and seemed enthusiastic about telling us all about the various birds . But the main attraction is of course the flamingoes. The boat is a bit noisy and one got to have good lenses to capture the birds from afar. Better to rent binoculars at time of booking which one needs to do by going to counter or on phone. At the end of 1 hour trip it seemed worth getting up at 4:30 am .
Written 8 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, can you please help me getting more details? how do i book boat and what are the timings?
Written 27 December 2019
Timings depends on the tide timings. Airoli + thane creek if you search on google you will get government boating number.
There are private fisher boat from bhandup pumping station side too. You can contact me for boat timings. info@wild-india.in
Written 7 February 2020
Where do you get tickets for the boat ride? Is it available online?
Written 2 April 2019
You need to call them up to book and get the time slot which is dependant on the tide timing,It is not available online-the payment needs to be made while collecting the ticket from the venue
Written 2 April 2019
Hi, I am unable to get the tickets for boat ride. Is it possible to see Flemingos by myself in that area? If yes, where exactly should I go to see them. Also, I am interested in looking for them at sunrise. Pls advice. TIA
Written 17 February 2019
I had gone through a private operator with website called wildnest.in, Nitya was the lady who guided me, lovely lady, she did booking for flamingo boat trip. You can go to Coastal and marine biodiversity, airoli for booking directly as well, they used to have direct contact details for boat but now they have disappeared. Sighting is best from boat not good from the airoli bridge.
Written 18 February 2019
I want to hire a boat for flamingo photography. Anyone know how to go about it?
Written 3 February 2019
They will need to be contacted for the tide timing,schedule & the boat availability about a day prior.
Written 3 February 2019
Do you know the current situation, Have flamingo's been spotted there and whats the number like?
For the booking, one should pre book or just show up on a particular day?
Written 13 December 2018
When is the best season for the flamingoes? I will be visiting in February.
Written 12 August 2018
February should be good, peak flamingo season. Flamingo safari stops during the rainy season and then restarts in the winter. You can call them on 9987673737 for the schedule, about 15 days prior to your planned visit.
Written 13 August 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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