A day trip to Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary: Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre, Navi Mumbai

Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary. Let’s go! Hi, all travel enthusiasts and nature lovers. Hope you are staying afloat in the absence of leisure travel due to the pandemic. So, amidst the Corona Pandemic, I have travelled to a few destinations that too mostly in panic. We took our first family trip to Alibaug, a beach destination in Maharashtra, after travel restrictions were relaxed. I will share more on it in my upcoming blogs.

For now, I have good news for people staying in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. So, I explored a local destination last weekend – Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre – Navi Mumbai, and I must say I am impressed.

How big is the Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary?

The state-of-the-art Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary is spread across 50 acres of land. The theme is well-displayed across the campus.

The moment I entered I was greeted by flamingos, obviously the plastic ones. Kids really enjoy this experience and it will be a welcome break for them too, considering they are stuck in the house too, due to the pandemic.

Well, once inside the nature trail, I was mesmerized the most by the quaint raised bamboo bridge, a mangrove pathway that led us to a bird-watching paradise, close to the creek.

From that close, we could easily spot hundreds of flamingos gracefully dancing in the water. For bird watchers, it’s a treat to see these migratory birds in their natural habitat.

There are two well-designed informational museums inside Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary , fully air-conditioned and clean. They exhibit the importance of mangroves and aquatic life, also explaining at length about marine biodiversity.

In addition, there are gardens for kids to just run around. Make sure to keep two hours in hand to explore this beautiful and planned jungle. Also, don’t miss the sunset, the view is breath-taking from the creek view and flamingo point.

Key points to remember while visiting Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary:

Best time to visit: Feb end to start of the May! This is the time when these migratory birds fly to the creek and make it their home for a few months.

Timings: 10 am to 6 pm (note, they are strict about the timings).

Entry fees: Rs. 50 per head for adults, and Rs. 25 for children above five years. (Please and I say this from first-hand experience, carry cash in your pocket. They don’t accept any UPI payment option or card swipe too.) These charges do not include the boat ride charges.

Address:
Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre
2/Mangrove Forest, Sector 10, Diva Nagar Road
Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400708

How to reach:

The nearest railway station in Navi Mumbai is Airoli. This place is easily accessible by road, via both Eastern and Western expressway.

Essentials to carry

• Water bottle as you might feel thirsty with all the trek.
• Comfortable shoes, of course you will have to walk a lot to explore the nature trail.
• Binoculars, if you have them, carry it. It will enable you to observe flamingos, up and close. I had binocs too but didn’t remember to carry, my bad!

So, plan a trip to Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre this weekend and enjoy a good time with your family. Also, stay tuned for more updates. I will be sharing a post on boat rides when I get a chance to take one. Its not everyday and mostly depends on the tide.

For any more information, here’s a number you can save and WhatsApp for inquiry: 99876 73737

Here’s the link to Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary Facebook profile! Coastal & Marine Bio Diversity Centre | Facebook

Update: Thane Flamingo boat ride – All you need to know! Click to read the blog.