Explore India's long stretch of coastlines—from Odisha to the Andaman Islands—for striking dolphin sightings.
Dolphins are playful, intelligent, and adorable aquatic creatures! These cheerful marine animals get along well with humans, and spotting these cuties thriving in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. If you love dolphins, you would be delighted to know that India is blessed with several incredible places—where you can spot these marine mammals. India is home to several destinations where you can visit to see dolphins, and we have listed some of the best places below.
The National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh is popularly known for its Gharial population. However, Ganges dolphins can also be spotted here. In this scenic site, you can find other endangered animals, and over 320 species of birds call this sanctuary their home. Here, you can hire a boat and sail through the Chambal River, and the tourists are taken to specific spots where Gangetic dolphins can be found.
Gangetic Dolphins are on the brink of extinction, but you can visit Bhagalpur district's Vikramshila Dolphin Gangetic Sanctuary, and witness these playful marine mammals. In this sanctuary, stretching across 60 kilometres, the dolphins stay protected. The ideal spot for dolphin sightings is the Barari Ghat.
If you want to catch a glimpse of freshwater Gangetic dolphins, head to Assam’s Dibru Saikhowa National Park. It is situated in the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh district of Assam. The national park is surrounded by three rivers—Dibru, Brahmaputra, and Lohit. This Biosphere reserve is also an ideal place to experience striking flora and fauna. The dolphins can be easily sighted in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra. If you are lucky, you might catch a rare sight of the Pink River Dolphins in the river.
The unspoiled and remote islands of Lakshadweep provide a quiet setting for dolphin sightings. Book a guided boat tour service from Kadmat Island or Agatti Island, where you can get the opportunity to spot several dolphin species—the distinguished Risso's dolphins and the acrobatic spinner dolphins. Don’t forget to carry your camera and capture these majestic creatures—playfully diving in and out of the pristine turquoise water.
Goa, the beloved coastal state, is best known for its lively beaches. Apart from offering many dreamy holiday destinations, Goa is also home to ocean dolphins. There are many beaches—like Sinquerim, Cavelossim, Coco Beach and Morjim—for dolphin sightings. The fail-proof way of spotting dolphins in Goa involves booking a guided cruise, which takes tourists to the Arabian Sea. The ideal time to set sail is early morning.
This brackish water lagoon lies in Odisha and is home to a large number of Irrawaddy Dolphins. Visitors can take a guided boat ride and set sail in the Chilika Lake—to take a tour of the vast lagoon and spot dolphins. Apart from dolphins, the lake supports a diverse ecosystem comprising several species of animals.
This national park in Tamil Nadu constitutes 21 islets and is located near the vibrant coral reefs—in the Gulf of Mannar. So, it is a no-brainer that this national park is home to booming marine flora and fauna. Tourists visiting this marine national park can see Spinner dolphins. Glass-bottomed guided boat services are available for tourists to get a clear and unobstructed view of the underwater life.
This marine national park in Gujarat is home to numerous species of marine mammals—a variety of dolphins and whales. Since it is a fragile ecosystem, researchers and environmentalists are constantly working to enhance its health. Here, tourists can witness common dolphins, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and bottlenose dolphins.
Apart from these places, you can also visit the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab to witness Dolphins in their natural habitat.
