Exploring Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Goa - Hidden Gem of Chorão Island

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Chorao Island, Goa

​Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Chorão Island, Goa, is nestled along the Mandovi River. The backwaters and river islands of Goa have always held a special place in my heart. But whenever I visited this beautiful state of India, I was so caught up in exploring the vibrant beaches and parties of Goa that I never really made the time to venture out to hidden gems like these. Last time I was in Goa, I was on a media trip to immerse myself in the state’s heritage and experience the Goa Tribal Festival. My accommodation was at Miramar Beach, the heart of Goa. I was thrilled to discover that Chorão Island on the Mandovi River was just a short distance away. One morning, I reluctantly got out of bed early and headed out to explore the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Walking through the mangroves at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on Chorao Islands

​How to reach Chorão Island for Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

You need to reach Ribandar ferry point by road.
By bus: It’s about a 10-kilometer drive from Panjim bus station. The first bus leaves from the bus station at 6:15 am, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach Ribandar.
By private transport: You can also drive to Ribandar and park your car or scooter at the jetty.
You’ll need to take a ferry from Ribandar to Chorão Island. There are frequent ferries to and from Chorão Island, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. The ferries usually leave at 6:30 am, and they’ll take off once they’re fully loaded.
​The good news is that the ferry ride is free for passengers! It’s a short 20-minute ferry ride to Chorão Island. The entry gate to the sanctuary is right across from the ferry drop-off point. There are a few stalls near the gate that sell breakfast and refreshments early in the morning.
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I had a wild time getting to the ferry point! I waited for the bus at Miramar beach, but I gave up and hitchhiked to Panjim. Then, I took a morning walk across the bridge over the Mandovi river and finally caught a bus to Ribandar. 

Ferry at Ribandar jetty

​How to explore Salim Ali bird Sanctuary

The sanctuary department provides boats for hire, which take you around the islands and through the mangroves. The boat rider usually also acts as a guide, helping you spot the wildlife on the island.

Boat and entry charges for Salim Ali bird Sanctuary

The entire boat can be rented for INR 750. It can accommodate a maximum of 10 passengers, so for a group of 10, they charge INR 75 per person.
There’s an entry fee of INR 10 per person.
Additionally, there are charges for cameras:
INR 25 per camera for regular cameras and
​INR 150 per camera for video cameras.

The boat for bird watching at Chorao Island

​Apart from the wildlife, a morning boat ride on the Mandovi river through the mangroves is a beautiful experience. The still waters reflect the mangroves, making the river quite picturesque.

Mangroves on Mandovi river at Chorao Island

​The boat skillfully navigates through the narrow passages between the mangroves. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, even more than bird-watching!

Mangroves on Mandovi river at Chorao Island

​Birds in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

The guide on the boat assisted us in spotting some beautiful birds. One of them was a Brahminy Kite perched on the top of a tree.

Brahminy Kite at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

​The Osprey, also known as fish eagle, sea hawk, river hawk.

Osprey at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

​The Whimbrels were seen in plenty.

Whimbrels found at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

​My favourite was the kingfisher! The perfect brand ambassador of Goa!

Kingfisher at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Black headed IBIS at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Cattle Egret at Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

​The local fisherman use the canoe boats for fishing on Mandovi river.

local fisherman riding canoe on Mandovi river at Chorao Island

​During our boat ride, we also managed to catch a glimpse of Penha De Franca Church, situated on the banks of the Mandovi river.

Penha De Franca Church on Mandovi river

​In the end, you’re given the option to be dropped off at a location on the island. You can walk to the entry gate of the bird sanctuary along a beautiful path carved through the mangroves. I highly recommend this walk; there’s a chance you’ll spot some more wildlife along the way.

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​Best time to visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Winters, spanning from October to March, offer an excellent opportunity to observe migratory birds. During low tide, the increased water surface attracts a diverse array of birds to the banks, where they come to drink and hunt for fish. Consequently, early morning emerges as the most favorable time for birdwatching.