Jamnagar has the Countrys first Marine National Park, since 1982

This is one of the rare places in the world where one can look at corals without having to dive down into the water.

One just has to walk in the water, when tide ebbs, in about 1 to 2 feet of water and watch this facinating underwater world of corals.

The fascinating underwater world of the Marine National Park & Sanctuary.

162.89 Square Kilometers of Marine National Park and 457.92 Square Kilometers of Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Kutch at Jamnagar offers exotic sightings for people willing to go on an adventure trip in this area.

In the Gulf of Kutch, there are 42 islands, out of which 33 islands have coral reef. There are islands with sandy beaches and mangrove swamps. These islands are a treasure-trove of marine species and a paradise for birdwatchers.

The Marine National Park & Sanctuary has coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grass beds, mudflats, network of creeks and other ecosystems which supports rich marine life & bird life. Here one has chance to spot octopus, puffer fish, sea turtles, lobsters, crabs, dolphins, ray fishes, jelly fish, star fish, sea anemones, colourful corals, exotic marine flowering plants, etc.

And if one is very very lucky then maybe dugong which resembles seal.

Of the 42 islands, the most popular island is Pirotan (old name is "Pir jo sthaan" meaning the resting place of the holy Saint Khwaja Khizer Rahmatullahi Alayh).

         The Marine National Park & Sanctuary area has:

• Coral Reef
• 37 species of Hard & Soft Corals
• 70 species of Sponges
• 27 species of Prawns
• 30 species of Crabs
• 200 species of Molluscs
• Endangered Sea Turtles like the Green Sea, Oliver Riddley & Leather Back.
• Porpoise, Common dolphins, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins.
• Dugongs (very rare to spot)
• 108 species of brown, green & red Algae
• Mangrove forests with Avicennia marina, Ceriops tagal, Aegiceras corniculatum & Rhizophora mucronata.  
• Ray fishes which also include Sting Rays !!
• 200+ species of Birds

• There are beautiful islands here where one can see pristine & non corrupted sandy beaches..

Pirotan Island

Pirotan Island is about 7 nautical miles from Rozi port. Its around 1 hour journey through the beautiful Chejja creek. You have to board the boat from Rozi port (about 25 minutes drive from the Hotel President)

Sailing on the tranquil waters of Chejja creek, taking the curves, with mangroves forest on both sides is a wonderful experience..

You are sure to see lots of birds also have a chance of spotting playful dolphins, sea turtles, ray fishes..

For access to the Marine National Park, one has to take permissions from the Forest Department, The Customs Department & the Port. In case of foreign tourists additional permission from the Police Department is also needed.

The fact which makes it worth planning a trip beforehand is that, one has to confirm the tide timings, as the boat can reach the pirotan island only when its full tide, the high tide has a 12 hours cycle...ie; if today high tide is at 6AM then next high tide will be at 6PM..

The tide timings keep changing everyday, so please check the tide timings with me, as to which date would be favorable..

As a rule of thumb, the lunar or the Gujarati dates of  5th, 6th & 7th are the most favorable, when the high tide time is at day break

One should be able to go to the island for the adventure trip, in the morning and come back in the evening as the Island is so unexploited that no facilities have been developed yet... Not even drinking water is available on the island.

The only people there on the island are Forest Guard, Light House people & Mujhavar (Server) at the shrine of holy Saint Khwaja Khizer R.A. 

Sailing of tourists in fishing boats is prohibited.

For doing the coral walk, its advised to wear thick soled shoes or sandals, because some of the places in the reef are sharp.  In winter it gets quite cold and the boats available do not have covering, so its always better to wear warm clothes and carry cold creams to protect your skin from getting dry and in summer, lots of sun block cream, cap and dark glasses..

Full Day-trips can be done when high tides are in early mornings..

As of now the Forest Dept. has closed entry for tourists, its unclear when Pirotan island visits would re-open..

Sailing Option

Sailing for about 3 to 4 hours, in the Marine National Park:

New Port to near Pirotan island through Chejja Creek

For a group of 10 persons (Indian nationals) a Basic Pirotan trip would cost about Rs. 2,700 per person (which includes Entry Permit, Passenger Boat rental, Guide, packed Breakfast, packed Lunch and potable Water - From New port to New port).

For a group of 10 persons (Indian nationals) a Basic 3 to 4 hours Sailing trip would cost about Rs. 1,800 per person (which includes Entry Permit, Passenger Boat rental, Guide, Snacks and potable Water - From New port to New port).

For organising these trips, you may email your interest with intended date of visit & list of names, atleast 5 working days before to Mr. Mustak at Hotel President, Jamnagar

Narara

The Island accessible by road..

At Narara, one has chance to spot octopus, puffer fish, sea anemone, crabs, sting ray, etc. along with some corals. Plus various type of birds scattered around the reef.

One can just drive to Narara, which is about 60 KMS from Jamnagar towards Dwarka; for doing the "Coral Walk" without sailing to the Islands.

We have to consider the following points with regards to visiting Narara:

• There are 4 tides in a day.. 2 high tides and 2 low tides.
• High tide occurs every 12 hours..
• The Coral walk is done in the dry spell between 2 high tides.. Generally it takes 3 and half hours for tide to reach the highest point at Narara on any given day.. and same time is taken for the ebb.. 
• You may read this article to understand tides of the sea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide
• For example, if high tide on 15/04/17 {my birthday :-)} is predicted to be around 4 AM and then again at 4.40 PM – then the coral walk should be started by 7.30 AM and one should be out of the reef by 1.15 PM - which is 3 and half hours before the next high tide.

• A coral walk of about 5 kilometers in the reef generally takes about 3 to 4 hours.
• For visiting Narara, one has to take permit from Forest Dept.
• Permit to be obtained on the spot at Narara itself. 
• For an Indian national, entry permit would be Rs. 40 per person (add 25% extra on weekends & holidays). For each still camera Rs. 200.  
• For a Foreign nationals, entry permit would be USD. 10 per person (add 25% extra on weekends & holidays). For each still camera USD. 20.  
• Forest Dept. has kept guides at Narara and one may be got there after paying Rs. 300. 
• For doing the coral walk, its advised to wear thick soled shoes (old sports shoes or crocs), because some places in the reef are sharp.
• One should take along some snacks and water.
• Your goodself can visit Narara in your own vehicle or hire a taxi.

For knowing the coral walk timings of a particular date & retaining an experienced guide, you may email me atleast 2 days before the intended date of visit:  Mustak at Hotel President, Jamnagar.

I am sometimes in the office & more in the outdoors.. Sometimes i may take longer to reply to your email, please bear with me..

Some exotic sea life which you can see real close.

A point which I would like to bring up here to all who visit this exotic places, is not to harm anything and not to litter.. and in the words of a good friend, "Leave No Trace"

Please let it remain beautiful..

For assistance in visit Pirotan island & conductiong a Coral Walking tour at Narara with Guides, contact Mustak at Hotel President, Jamnagar