Colourful corals and amazing marine life tucked away at Pirotan Island in Gujarat travel 30stades
If you are looking to get away from the biting winter and are keen on a tranquil rendezvous with nature, head to Pirotan Island on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. This enchanting island is free of human habitation and has a vast marine treasure to offer that will make it an unforgettable experience.
Pirotan Island is part of the chain of Islands in the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park – India’s first such park established in Jamnagar district in 1982. There are 42 islands in the park but only Pirotan and Narara are open to visitors.
Pirotan is about 20 km from the closest port, Bedi Harbour and 12 km from Rozi Harbour. Jamnagar, the nearest major city, is 10 km from the island.
The island, spread over 3 sq km, is teeming with marine life, various species of birds, colourful coral reefs, sponges, and mangrove vegetation. The natural beauty and biodiversity of flora and fauna are just breathtaking.
Pirotan is home to amazing marine biodiversity. Pic: Gujarat Tourism
The amazing marine life includes fish, octopus, starfish, puffer fish, sea snakes, sea horses, sea slugs, giant sea anemones, tube anemones, jellyfish, oyster, pearl oyster, sabela, Portuguese man of war, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster and a variety of crabs and prawns.
You can also spot green sea turtles, dolphins, dugongs, porpoises and sharks. The waters of the Arabian Sea draw in a large variety of birds such as pelicans, waders, herring gulls, seagulls, black-headed gulls, crab plovers and more.
The waters of the Arabian Sea draw in a large variety of birds. Pink Flamingos at Pirotan. Pic: Gujarat Tourism
There are park officers to guide you and give you a hands-on experience with marine life. October through March is the best period to visit the island.
History
Historians believe the place was earlier called Pirotan Patan, an ancient city.
As per the local lore, the island was earlier known as ‘Pir jo Thaan’, referring to the dwelling of Khwaja Khizer Rahmatullahialaih. His dargah is situated on the island.
There is a 100-year-old lighthouse on the northern tip of the island, overlooking the blue-green waters of the Arabian Sea.
There is also an old lighthouse near the dargah. Before the lighthouse, there was a flagpole on the tip of the island to help ships navigate the area. In 1898, a lighthouse was built here and in 1955, it was replaced with a 79-foot high structure.
The island is practically uninhabited with only a handful of people which includes the staff from the state forest department, the caretaker at the dargah and people who man the lighthouse.
A visit to the island requires clearances from the local Forest Department and Customs and Ports Department. Foreigners need to get permission from the Police Department.
The lighthouse at Pirotan. Pic: Wikipedia
Since the beach is shallow, boats can travel to the island only during high tide. Visitors need to reach in the morning with the tide and leave in the evening at high tide. The tides have a 12-hour cycle and the tide timings can be checked with locals.
You can hire boats from Bedi port or Rozi Port and the journey takes about two hours. There are no hotels, cafes or shops on the island and visitors have to carry their eatables.
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