Lush Greens, Bengal Tigers & Watch Towers: Your Ultimate Guide To Piyali Island

The entire island is a lush green space where people can see and immerse themselves in nature. It is full of paddy fields, with the river Piyali flowing at the edges of it, nourishing the sparse jungles and mangrove forests. You can also visit the nearby villages and experience the life of local villagers. A unique sight here is the flock of migratory birds flying over the coast during winter.

Duration: 2 hours

The Sajnekhali Watch Tower is a part of the Sunderban Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, standing right in the middle of the mangrove forests. It can accommodate up to 20 people at once, which makes it ideal for bird watching. If you get lucky, you can also spot deer, boars, and many other birds there. If you are curious to learn more about the area, they also have a Mangrove Interpretation Centre. It's open all throughout the week except for Sundays.

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

For all folklore and history enthusiasts, Piyali Island has you covered. It's got the Netidhopani Tower and Ruins Tourism, a tower that offers a panoramic view of the greenery around and its wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. History has it that it's linked to the tale of Behula and Lakhindari from the mythological epic Manasamangal, with remains of a 400-year-old temple at the location. However, it is usually closed during the Monsoon season, typically from July to September.

Duration: 2 hours

Situated about 50 km from Piyali Island, the Halliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Tourism is part of the Sunderbans Reserve Forest, named after a British official. Although it's not huge in terms of size, it is crucial for Bengal Tiger conservation. It hosts many bird species, deer, and other wildlife. It is located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta and can be reached by car. 

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Located on the riverside of the River Malta, Kaikhali Island is a sister island to Piyali. During the winter season, its untouched beauty attracts tourists from all over the world. The highlight of visiting this nearby island is hearing the inhabitants of Kaikhali tell tales of their whereabouts and experiences, which is quite enriching. It only takes about 34 minutes to reach Kaikhali Island from Piyali by car, covering a distance of 17 km.

Duration: 1 full day

Jharkali is situated in the Northwest of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve and is an emerging favourite among tourists. It's also been called the new gateway to the Sunderbans lately. Jharkhali is almost 71.9 km away from Piyali Island and takes about two hours to reach there by car. Besides the Tiger Rescue Centre at Jharkhali, there is also a Watch Tower, a Children's park, and a Butterfly Garden to visit.

Duration: 1 day