Pirotan Island

Pirotan is a small island in the Gulf of Kutch, part of the protected marine area off the Jamnagar coast. Its shoreline is a mix of mangroves, sandy stretches and tidal pools, and at low tide the surrounding reef flats show corals and other small sea creatures. Sea turtles and shoals of fish use the nearby waters, and young fish and crabs shelter among the mangrove roots.

Birds are a large part of the draw: flamingos, pelicans, gulls and terns are all seen here, and numbers rise in winter when migrants arrive. Boat trips run from the Jamnagar coast only when sea conditions permit, and the monsoon usually stops access altogether. Guided visits are advised.