7 places in India where dolphins are found

Dolphins are among the most adorable creatures on the planet. They are playful and intelligent and are often found in ocean habitats. India is unique in that it also harbors freshwater species like the endangered Gangetic river dolphin, one of the country's national aquatic animals. However, dolphins in India face a host of challenges, including water pollution, habitat degradation, and fishing net entanglements. India has actively taken up conservation projects to protect their habitats, particularly through the "Project Dolphin" initiative. For wildlife enthusiasts and eco-tourists, there are specific locations where these creatures can be observed in their natural habitat. We have created a list of places one can visit if they want to catch sight of dolphins.

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is located in Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India. In 1991, it was declared a protected area for the endangered Gangetic dolphins in Asia. While the area had an abundance of dolphins, only a few hundred survive today. It is the first dolphin observatory in India.

The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and the finless porpoises are two species of dolphins that can be seen in Goa. As Goa is a popular tourist destination, dolphin-watching tours are a popular activity in various parts of the Mandovi River and are especially popular at Sinquerim Beach, alongside Fort Aguada.

The Andaman Island is surrounded by a rich marine ecosystem, and among them are common dolphins, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, and Risso's dolphins. Some of the best places to spot dolphins in the Andaman Islands include Havelock Island, Neil Island, Lalaji Bay Beach on Long Island, and Jolly Buoy Island.

Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, is situated off the Murudeshwara coast. It is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in Karnataka. Bottlenose dolphins are found in abundance in Netrani waters.

Malvan, the southernmost district of Maharashtra State, is a good spot to see dolphins. Dolphins have been observed playing around near the waters of Malvan. Especially during the months of January and February, one can even spot a big family of dolphins basking in the warm sun, enjoying the clear ocean.

Palk Bay is a shallow, semi-enclosed bay located between the southeast coast of India and Sri Lanka. People have had several sightings of striped dolphins and dugongs in the area, which is protected by the Indian government.

The Ganges river dolphin, a species of freshwater dolphin, is found in the Ganga River in Varanasi. Dhakwa, locally known as Dhaka, is the nearest village to the confluence of the Ganga and Gomti rivers. For any dolphin enthusiast, this is the best place to observe dolphins in their habitat. However, the Ganges river dolphins are classified as endangered, and several efforts are being made to revive their numbers.