Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, Thane Overview

Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Although the sanctuary is one of the less-discovered places of Maharashtra, it is exotic in its location and picturesque surroundings. The Sanctuary is home to a dense Mangrove forest and more than thousands of birds, but as the name suggests, it is variously recognised for the migratory flamingos that fly every year in Spring to the Sanctuary.

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Flamingo Boat Safari

The Flamingo Boat Safari in Mumbai’s Airoli Creek offers a unique wildlife experience, allowing visitors to observe migratory flamingos in Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Running from October to May, the safari operates based on high tide timings and requires advance booking. Thane Creek, an Important Bird Area recognized by the Bombay Natural History Society, hosts various avian species, including flamingos and other migratory birds. The Maharashtra government has designated 1,690 hectares of the creek as a protected sanctuary, comprising mangrove forests and water bodies. Weekend guided birdwatching walks with experts are also available until April, with limited group sizes for a more immersive experience.

Timings and Entry Fee

The Sanctuary is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday. The timings for Monday to Friday are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Saturday, it closes one hour before the weekday timings, i.e., 4:00 PM. The Sanctuary remains closed on Sunday.

The Sanctuary charges INR 50 per head for adults and INR 25 per head for children as Entry Fee. There is no extra fee for photography or videography.

Geography of the Sanctuary

The Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary is situated in the western bank of the Thane creek, which is an inlet of the Arabian Sea. The view of the Sanctuary from the Airoli Bridge is breathtakingly beautiful as one can see the sky full of the pink feathers of the flamingos in the scenic setting of the Mangrove forest.

History of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary

Maharashtra's second Marine Sanctuary, Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary was declared as an 'Important Bird Area and Flamingo Sanctuary' by the Maharashtra Government in August, 2015. Since the year 1994, migratory birds like Lesser Flamingo, Greater Flamingo, Pied Avocet, Painted Stork and Spot-billed Duck have been sighted in the Thane Creek. Recently when the government grew conscious of the pollution in Maharashtra and how it might affect the migration of the flamingos, it established Mumbai Mangrove Conservation unit to look after the Sanctuary.

Best Time to Visit

The spring season, from late February to the end of May, is the ideal time to the Sanctuary. It is during this time of the year when you can spot various species of migratory birds clouding the sky with their innumerable feathers.

How To Reach Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary

The nearest Railway Station to the Flamingo Sanctuary is Thane Railway Station. It will take you approximately half an hour by car to reach the Sanctuary from the Railway Station. You can also opt for public buses. However, if you wish to experience the safari, you will have to visit the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity centre from where the guide will accompany you. The distance between Thane Railway Station and the Coastal and Marine biodiversity centre is about 9.5 kilometres and you can travel the distance by either a local taxi or a bus, depending on your convenience.