9 extraordinary mangrove forests to visit for World Mangrove Day 

They may not have the glamour of coral reefs or tropical rainforests, but mangrove forests are among the planet’s most important ecosystems.

Despite covering only 0.1% of the planet, these tangled forests protect coastlines, store vast amounts of carbon and provide sanctuary for extraordinary wildlife, thereby offering some memorable wildlife experiences. Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, hawksbill turtles, proboscis monkeys, mangrove finches and the rare pygmy three-toed sloth all call mangroves home.

Mangroves’ tangled root systems also shelter juvenile fish, crabs and countless marine species, helping sustain coastal fisheries. They protect vulnerable coastlines from storm surges and erosion, and store significantly more carbon per hectare than many terrestrial forests, making them one of nature’s most effective allies in tackling climate change.

To mark World Mangrove Day (26 July), here are nine remarkable mangrove destinations that deserve a place on every nature lover’s travel list.

Covering over 10,000 km sq across India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. This vast network of waterways, mudflats and dense, tangled forests is home to the elusive Bengal tiger, which has adapted over the years to survive and thrive in this aquatic habitat.

Exploring the Sundarbans is an adventure best experienced by boat. Multi-day cruises and guided safaris navigate narrow waterways bordered by tangled mangrove roots, revealing a landscape that feels as wild today as it has for centuries. Wildlife sightings require patience, but the rewards can be spectacular. Saltwater crocodiles bask along muddy banks, spotted deer graze at the forest edge and smooth-coated otters dart through the channels, while kingfishers, brahminy kites and more than 260 bird species delight birdwatchers throughout the year.

For those wishing to travel to this watery wilderness, eco lodges, community-run cruises and experienced guides offer responsible and sustainable ways to explore this fragile ecosystem.

Few protected areas showcase mangroves on the same scale as Everglades National Park. Covering more than 6,000 sq km, the park protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, where vast mangrove forests measuring over 1,000 sq km form an intricate network of waterways stretching towards the Gulf of Mexico.

The best way to explore this vast landscape is under your own steam. Paddling through quiet mangrove tunnels by kayak or canoe offers an intimate perspective, where the only sounds are birdsong and the splash of wildlife disappearing beneath the surface. Travellers may spot American alligators, West Indian manatees and bottlenose dolphins, while the park is also one of the few places in the world where American crocodiles and alligators coexist. More than 350 bird species, including roseate spoonbills, ospreys and bald eagles, make the Everglades a prime location for birdwatchers.

Visitor facilities, marked paddling trails, ranger-led activities and a wide choice of guided tours make the Everglades one of the easiest places in the world to experience a thriving mangrove ecosystem.

If there’s one place where wildlife steals the show, it’s the mangroves lining the lower reaches of Sabah’s Kinabatangan River. Flowing through one of Southeast Asia’s richest ecosystems, these coastal forests mark the boundary where rainforest meets estuary, creating an ideal habitat for a variety of animals.

Early morning and late afternoon river safaris give travellers the chance to see proboscis monkeys leap effortlessly between riverside branches, endangered orangutans forage in the canopy and, with luck, the rare Bornean pygmy elephants emerge to drink along the riverbanks. Estuarine crocodiles patrol the waterways, while hornbills, kingfishers and colourful storks fill the skies overhead.

Travellers can join expert-led wildlife cruises along the river and through the mangroves, as well as visiting nearby conservation institutions such as the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The Kinabatangan River and mangrove forests offer incredible wildlife encounters without requiring a full-on expedition.

Just a short drive from Colombo’s international airport, Negombo Lagoon offers an introduction to Sri Lanka’s coastal wetlands, with mangrove forests fringing its southern reaches.

Gliding quietly through narrow waterways at sunrise, visitors pass traditional fishing boats, dense walls of mangroves and tranquil lagoons alive with birds. Purple herons stalk the shallows, brahminy kites circle overhead, brilliantly coloured kingfishers flash between branches and monitor lizards bask on fallen logs as the tide ebbs and flows.

The lagoon’s accessibility makes it especially appealing. Local guides offer boat and canoe trips, while nearby boutique hotels and seafood restaurants make it easy to include a mangrove excursion before heading deeper into Sri Lanka.

Where the mighty Amazon meets the Atlantic Ocean lies one of the world’s largest continuous stretches of mangrove coastline, covering over 11,000 sq km. Extending across the northern Brazilian states of Pará and Maranhão, these immense forests are the choice for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-track adventure.

This vast landscape, shaped by timeless tides, is best accessed by canoe or river boat, down winding channels lined by dense mangroves and past traditional fishing communities. The Amazon is renowned for its wildlife, and its mangroves are no different. Scarlet ibises provide flashes of brilliant red against emerald foliage, caimans swim beneath the surface, and monkeys swing from tree to tree through the surrounding forests. Lucky visitors may even glimpse giant river otters or the elusive jaguar.

The best way to explore this wild landscape is with an experienced local operator, whose guides combine wildlife expertise with insights into the region’s culture and conservation.

A deep emerald green starkly contrasts with the yellow sand along the north-eastern coast of Qatar. Stretching for over 14 sq km, seven of which lie within the protected Al Thakira Reserve, the Al Thakira Mangrove Forest is a tangled mix of creeks, mudflats, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. Just an hour’s drive north of Doha, the mangroves are  home to 130 species of birds, including herons and sandpipers. The mangrove trees also provide nesting grounds for migratory birds, such as flamingos and osprey, and provide important nursery habitat for fish.

The mangroves extend south to embrace the nearby Purple Island (Bin Ghannam Island) in the south. Almost 4,000 years ago, the island was a centre for purple dye production under the Kassites, yet the area is now ideal for travellers to explore the mangroves, either by kayak or on foot, as a wooden bridge links the island to the mainland. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for little heron and laughing dove who call the island home. Due to the high summer temperatures, November to February is the ideal time to visit the mangroves. Given the lack of facilities at the island, it is recommended to come with supplies and shade. Several local operators lead kayak tours through the mangroves, taking travellers into the heart of these two watery landscapes.

Tucked between Abu Dhabi’s futuristic skyline and the Arabian Gulf, Jubail Island Mangrove Park offers a glimpse of Abu Dhabi’s wilder side. This protected sanctuary showcases one of the UAE’s most important coastal ecosystems, where winding boardwalks and kayaking routes weave through tranquil mangrove forests that support an impressive diversity of wildlife.

Visitors can explore the park on foot along a 2 km raised boardwalk or paddle quietly through the tidal channels by kayak, searching for flamingos, western reef herons and other migratory birds that use the mangroves as feeding and nesting grounds. Beneath the water’s surface, fish, crabs and molluscs thrive among the tangled roots, while the surrounding landscape is also home to Arabian gazelles. Information panels along the trail explain the vital role mangroves play in protecting Abu Dhabi’s coastline, storing carbon and supporting marine life.

Just 20 minutes from the city centre, Jubail Island Mangrove Park offers easy mangrove exploration, as well as guided nature walks, kayaking excursions and seasonal wildlife experiences.

Jutting out of the Pacific Ocean around 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands are best known for the wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Less celebrated, but equally remarkable, are the archipelago’s mangrove forests, which cling to volcanic shorelines and lava fields where few other plants can survive.

The islands’ protected status has left many of these mangrove ecosystems remarkably intact compared with many mangrove forests worldwide, providing vital shelter and feeding grounds for some of the Galápagos’ endemic species. Travellers exploring the Galápagos by boat or kayak may encounter Galápagos sea lions, marine iguanas and the Galápagos penguin,  the only penguin species found north of the Equator. The mangroves are also home to the critically endangered mangrove finch, one of the rarest birds in the archipelago, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining. With strict visitor controls, the best way to see the Galápagos mangroves is with the help of expert naturalist guides, offering a rare chance to encounter some of the world’s most extraordinary endemic wildlife.

Just 40 km south-east of the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s largest urban centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio Mangrove Forest offers an oasis of calm. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this vast, tangled coastal ecosystem of mangroves, wetlands, mudflats and seagrass beds is described as the city’s “green lungs”, absorbing carbon and helping protect the surrounding coastline.

The best way to explore the mangroves is by boat, weaving through dense mangrove channels where spot-billed pelicans flap overhead and saltwater crocodiles lurk in the waterways. The reserve supports one of the richest concentrations of mangrove species in the region, as well as a remarkable diversity of birds, fish and shellfish. With easy access from Ho Chi Minh City, guided wildlife tours and a fascinating history as a strategic Viet Cong stronghold during the Vietnam War, Can Gio combines biodiversity, history and exploration into a single adventure.

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