A mere 15 minutes over water by the Ribandar ferry crossing takes you to Chorao Island, possibly the country's greatest bird sanctuary. Kingfishers, eagles, cormorants, kites, and woodpeckers are not the only creatures you'll see here, but also otters and foxes and crocs. The island itself is a mangrove swamp, a thriving ecosystem. Crisscrossing these are small water-channels, which, if bird watching isn't your thing, you can journey through in a boat. Altogether the island is a tiny place, only 1.8 kilometres in area. Visit either early in the morning or 2 hours before sunset.

• The ferry ride over, by the Goa Forestry Department, costs Rs. 900 in total, or Rs. 75 per person.
• Foreigners : Rs 100

• Drive to here, take a bus, or take a taxi.

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