NARARA: MARIN NATIONAL PARK

If We tell about our trip than we had done 1 day trip of Narara on some winter weekends in January 2016. We had done 2 sessions like morning and evening. After Reaching park, first, we took legal permissions from Forest department for a coral walk. I will always remain very much thankful to our guide Mr. Dhiren Meshvaniya for guiding us in Marine walk. Morning of a park was pretty much silent and we were eager to explore it. After processes of permissions, we started the marine walk around 10 o’clock. It was so much lucky day as our walk started with the sighting of large octopus. To see an octopus with necked eye without scuba diving is always remain lifetime experience for us as well as anyone And NARARA MNP is only the place in Gujarat where anyone can see Marine spices without and scuba diving etc. After that we had seen many Sea cucumbers, sea horse, beetle stars, starfish, sea sludge, crabs and etc. And in the ending of the first session finally we got our Lifer Crab-plover for which we were really excited. And this is how our first session has been completed.

After taking Delicious lunch We moved forward for the 2^nd session. In the beginning of the 2^nd session, we captured some common birds of MNP like Great Egret, Grey Heron, pond heron, Plovers, Great Knot, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone Etc. The thing which was much more wondering for us was Familiarity of birds. Almost every bird was so much familiar with us and giving us sufficient time for taking satisfactory images. After this photography we moved forward for finding some rare crabs and really we were so much lucky, we found Decorated Crab, which was 2^nd record or sighting of Narara MNP. The beauty of decorated crab was overwhelming. We took some good images of it and again explored remaining things. After that, We finally found our second lifer which is Oystercatcher. It was first to encounter with Oystercatcher. We found it in an almost group of 20-25. It was a very much shy bird so did not think to disturb them and enjoyed its beauty from a safe distance. In last but not least we were leaving a park and suddenly we saw a group of crab plover which was coming towards us. It was a group of almost 100-150 crab plovers. And our excitement level touched the sky. We had really enjoyed them for an hour and took beautiful frames.
And this is how we had done our one day memorable trip to Narara marine national park. Hope to visit it again for better bird watching and lot more.

About Narara Marine National Park

Narara MNP is a fascinating underwater world of the Marine species and sanctuary. It is162.89 Square Kilometres of Marine National Park and 457.92 Square Kilometres 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.

Natural Pattern

· In the Gulf of Kutch, there are 42 islands, out of which 33 islands have a 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.

Must consider the following points while 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 the same time is taken for the ebb.

Plan Your Trip

Getting There

Air:

Ahmadabad International Airport (380km 7.5 hours away)

Nearest domestic airport Jamnagar airport (50km, 1 hours away).

Rail

Jamnagar (52km, 1hours away) is well-connected by trains from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities of Gujarat.

Road

Narara Island MNP is a comfortable driving distance from Jamnagar city (52km; anywhere from 1hours).

Best Time to Visit

Marine life enthusiasts visit Narara Island all year round, winter and post monsoon seasons is the best season.

Monsoons: Narara Island MNP receives rain from July to September. This is the best window to capture photographs of some of the migratory birds and sea creatures species.

Winter: October to February is the colder months of the year. Running temperature during this month 18 to 30 degree Celsius in a day time. This season is the best for bird-watching enthusiasts, as there will be a variety of migratory birds at Narara Island MNP.

Coral walk

Coral and ocean

Stay

Most hotels are situated in Jamnagar city. Many hotels are located along the road from Narara to Jamnagar. There are easy transport facility and shopping place and heritage places situated.

High-Range: The Fortune Hotel, Hotel Nova K D comfort, Hotel Express Residency and 7 season resorts. (₹5000to ₹8000 for a room + complimentary breakfast)

Budget Range: Hotel President, Hotel Celebration, Hotel Regency, Hotel Ashiana (₹ 900 to ₹ 3000 for a room + complimentary breakfast)

Gov. accommodation: - A forest rest house is situated in Theba, Which is about 8kms away from Jamnagar.

See | Do | Shop

· Before the morning safari, Traditional Gujarati food like Fafla, Dhokla, thepla and Jalebi and hot tea served to the tourist in stay hotel and also available near at bus stop and local hotel located on road. In Jamnagar city, 'jain vijay' kachori (dry fruit, normal), Gughra, mouth freshener Gulkand pan are most famous.

· Jamnagar city is also famous for the hand work bandhani sari.

Good to Know

· The Marine National Park & Sanctuary has coral reefs, mangroves, sea-grass beds, mudflats, a network of creeks and other ecosystems which support rich marine life & bird life. Here one has chance to spot octopus, puffer fish, sea turtles, lobsters, crabs, dolphins, Ray fishes, jelly fish, starfish, sea anemones, colorful corals, exotic marine flowering plants, Molluscs, Prawns, Sponges, Common dolphins, Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins, Oliver Riddley & Leather Back, Stingfish.

· Jamnagar is the nearest town with tourist facilities (ATM, petrol bunks, pharmacies and convenience stores) and a hospital.

· Collect all information from forest office or internet about low and high tide and weather.

· Most mid-range and high-end hotels also arrange for a doctor on call.

· All major mobile phone networks provide good coverage in the region, including basic data connectivity.

· There are no functional bathrooms within the national park (only designated in forest office). Use bathrooms in hotels.

· There are no jeep safaris offered at the sanctuary. You have to coral walk in water and explore the sanctuary. A guide is available on request at the gate.

What to Pack

· During winter, carry layered warm clothing, a jacket, woolen cap, muffler, and gloves. Wear closed footwear with socks to stay warm.

· During monsoon season raincoat and waterproof bag cover.

· Camera gear, GPS and compass.

· Binoculars, especially if you are an avid bird-watcher.

· Bird-watching field guide.

· A torch for emergencies.

· Emergency medication and prescription medicines.

· ID cards for safari registrations.

For Photographers

· A minimum focal length of 250-300mm is recommended to take photographs of a bird. Also take macro lens 100mmand 10 18mm or 18 55mm lens for landscape.

· For heavy lenses, carry a bean bag to rest your camera on.

· A good pair of binoculars will come in handy.

· Guide would be compulsory for identifying marine species.

In Between Safaris

· Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is very near form Jamnagar during winter season thousands of migratory bird comes there. This place is most wonderfull for bird watcher and also for the bird photographer.

· Most famous Shree Krishna temple situated in Dwarka is near from Narara island MNP.

· Lakhota Lake and Palace historical heritage in Jamnagar.

· Valsura first Indian Navy Academy is situated in Jamnagar.

· World’s largest petrochemical refinery.

Budget per person

· Entry fees 100 in Narara Island MNP.

· Camera gear charges 200 INR for Indians and 900 INR for foreigners. (Mon-Friday)

· Camera fee during weekends is 250 INR for Indians and 1125 for foreigners.

· Guide fees 200 approximate.

Team Wildxplorience

Amit Giri Goswami

Network Engineer and Photographer

Member of team Wildxplorience

Amitgiri Goswami is a professional network engineer and working with Network company. His love for birds and insects took him in wildlife and macro photography. He usually exploring national parks and sanctuaries and captures beautiful images of nature and wildlife. He posts images on Instagram as @bluderunner

Deep Vadaliya

IC Engineer and Photographer

Member of team Wildxplorience

Deep Vadaliya is IC engineer by profession who is Pursuing his M.S from USA. His love for Wildlife nature photography takes him at various national parks, sanctuaries, etc. He had done many Himalayan treks for enjoying nature very closely. His work in macro photography is also amazing. He posts his images on Instagram as @dvclicks31

Bhishma Bhatti

Infrastructure Engineer and Photographer

Member of team wildxplorience

Bhishma Bhatti is an Infrastructure Engineer who loves to wander outside from concrete jungle. His love for wandering in the forest and roaming for birds, made him enthusiastic nature lover. Apart from wildlife and nature photography, he is also exploring Himalaya for landscape photography. He posts images on Instagram as @bhishma_bhatti