India’s most mystical and lesser-known mangrove forests travellers rarely talk about

India has an amazing variety of ecosystems, from high peaks of mountains, to arid deserts, and lush rainforests. Among these, mangroves forests are one of the most fascinating ones. These are located in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones. Mangroves live between the land and the ocean with huge tangled roots for support and oxygen under heavy mud. They act as a buffer zone against storms and coastal erosion and are home to numerous marine species, like fishes, crustaceans and migratory birds.

Apart from the famous Sunderbans, there are many more mangrove wetlands scattered along the country’s coastline that are incredibly quiet, and undiscovered. Let’s see some of them that should definitely make into your travel list.

Tucked into Odisha’s Kendrapara district, this is India’s second-largest mangrove setup after the Sundarbans. It’s a massive, twisting maze of rivers, mudflats, and thick roots where you can easily get a sight of huge saltwater crocodiles.

The boat safaris are the main event. You'll be moving down narrow channels packed with tangled roots, only to suddenly pop out into wide waters where massive crocodiles are just chilling on the mud banks, and bright kingfishers pass.

The closest major city is Bhubaneswar, about a 4-to-5-hour drive away. You'll usually enter via the Khola or Gupti gates before hopping on a boat. Aim for winter (November to February) for the best weather and bird-watching. Keep in mind, the park partially shuts down from May to July for the crocodile breeding season.

Located about 15 kms from Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, Pichavaram isn't just a forest; it's a watery maze. The magic really hits when you move off the main waterways and slip into the smaller channels. The branches literally arch over your head, creating dense green tunnels where the sunlight barely filters through.

It’s ridiculously atmospheric, especially if you take a rowboat that can squeeze into the tightest spots. You will see migrants and local birds including snipes, cormorants, egrets, storks, herons, spoonbills and pelicans.

It’s about a 5-to-6-hour drive from Chennai, making it a great add-on if you're visiting the famous Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. October to March is the best time to visit the forest. Also, bring cash for the boat tickets and show up early on weekends to dodge the massive jetty queues.

Sitting near Kakinada city in Andhra Pradesh’s Godavari delta, is one of the largest mangroves in India. There are these awesome wooden boardwalks built right over the tangled roots and shallow waters, so you can walk right through the habitat looking for crabs, mollusks, and tiny fish.

You can also grab a boat ride to hunt for estuarine crocodiles, sea birds, and occasionally turtles out in the wider creeks. Bird watchers absolutely love Coringa for its crazy diversity of coastal and migratory species.

You can land at Rajahmundry airport (70 km away), or just take a 30-to-40-minute drive from Kakinada, which also has the nearest railway station. Winter is your best bet for good weather and wildlife. Don’t plan on Tuesdays as it’s a weekly off for visitors.

While the other forests on this list have been around for centuries, the mangroves around Kundapur are telling a totally fresh story. Located along the Panchagangavali backwaters near Udupi in Karnataka, these mangroves are a massive win for conservation and local eco-tourism.

You will basically watch a wilderness being actively restored by local communities and the forest department. You can take a boat ride that will take you through the mangroves. You will get a sight of beautiful migratory birds like, Black-Headed Ibis, Great Egret and Redshank.

You can fly to Mangalore airport and take a bus to Kundapura, or just drive from Udupi which is around 20 km. Best time to visit is post monsoon between October to March.

Everyone goes to Goa for the beaches, the shacks, and the parties. But less than an hour from Panaji is a totally different reality of silent backwaters and thick mangroves.

Tucked away on Chorao Island, the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary nestled along Mandovi river is Goa’s best-kept natural secret. To reach there you can go to Panjim bus station, and then drive or take a bus to Ribandar which is just 10 km away. From there a quick little ferry ride drops you right into this estuarine wonderland of tidal channels.

The move here is to take a small canoe safari. The boats just glide through the super-narrow waterways where mangrove roots poke out of the mud and birds randomly burst out of the canopy.. Keep an eye out for kingfishers, cormorants, sandpipers, and herons. October to March is the prime time to visit.