Coral reef spotting in the Gulf of Kutch

Tired of being on the wrong side of the television while watching breathtaking underwater visuals of the Great Barrier Reef?

Corals, also known as the rainforests of the sea, are the lungs that keep our water worlds in good health. So what's stopping you from taking that trip to witness a coral spectacle?

The good news it's right here, in neighbouring Gujarat. The state is home to the country's first marine national park created around 1982.

The sanctuary covers 458 sq km, while the park takes up 163 sq km, in the Gulf of Kutch. Located about 7 kms from Jamnagar, the Gulf is home to some of the most complex coral reef ecosystems, now a protected site.



Sitting around the coast are 42 islands, all surrounded by fringing reefs. These reefs are an amazing sight not just for the adventurous, but also for photographers, students and scientists.

Here, you'll find fauna of every kind from Coral Lichen, Coral Sponge, Green Sponge, Puffer Fish, Turtles, Dolphins, Sea Anemone, Jelly Fish and Starfish to Octopus.

In total, there are 52 coral species; 42 of them hard and 10 of them soft, sponges, molluscs, endangered species of sea turtles, sea snakes, water birds and brown, green, and red algae.

Amid the coral reef discoveries, you might just get lucky and spot a dolphin or bump into a sea turtle.

Believed to support at least half a million species, these coral reefs, which are the most diverse marine habitats, deserve at least one day of exploration.

The best time to visit is from October to March. Get a local guide to help you negotiate better.

Word of caution: It's important to keep the waters clean; avoid any littering and disrupting plant and animal life.
Visit www.gujarattourism.com/showpage for details to reach these islands as well as for permissions.

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