Sunrise At Sewri Mumbai – Jetty, Fort, Birds & Flamingos

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One of the stunning Sunrise views in Mumbai is at the Sewri jetty on a high tide early morning. Mumbai being on the west coast of India, it is indeed a pleasant experience to watch the sunrise moments at the jetty, particularly matching with the high tide. Recently we were in Mumbai and visited Sewri Jetty at sunrise hoping to find Flamingos who flock to the area during the winter. It was high tide and we were more than happy to watch a lovely sunrise.

Sunrise at Sewri, Mumbai
Sunrise at Sewri, Mumbai

Explore Sewri Mumbai

You can explore a beautiful Sunrise scene at the jetty. The historical fort is very close by, say 5 minutes walking distance from the jetty. The visual impact of high tide & low tide, of course, you need to plan a visit separately. You can spot several birds if you are a birding enthusiast. Migratory birds, particularly colonies of Lesser Flamingos during the winter months of November to January. They can be spotted in thousands during low tide. Carry a binocular for the best view of the bird’s colonies.

Sewri Jetty Mumbai Sunrise scene
Sunrise scene

Sunrise at Sewri Jetty, Mumbai – Pleasant scenes

Sunrise-scene from the Sewri Jetty, Mumbai
A sunrise scene from the jetty

The Sunrise is best viewed from the jetty unless you live in a highrise building nearby. The Sewri jetty is a mere 10 minutes walk from the Sewri station on the harbor railway line of Mumbai’s local railways. Recommend you be in a small group to avoid any unpleasant situations prior to sunrise in an unfamiliar area. Watching the sunrise scene is surely a very pleasant experience. The golden rays of the Sun, and their reflections in the water particularly during high tide, is a bliss to watch, what a dramatic change in the day & life. Whether you are an early riser Mumbaikar or a late one, visit the sunrise scene sometimes, you will love it.

Sewri Fort – One of the historical forts of Mumbai

Collage of Sewri Fort images, Mumbai
Images of the fort

Sewri Fort is a historical fort in Mumbai. Probably built to defend against any attacks from the sea and to facilitate trade. It is a small fort. The maintenance of the fort is ok. Not many tourists or visitors were there.

Image of a tree from the Sewri Fort
Image of a tree from the fort

Birds

Bird lovers can find a variety of birds at the jetty and around. We saw Brown-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern, Grey Heron, Great Egret, Western Reef Egret, Parakeet, Brahminy Kite, Black Kite, Common Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Golden Oriole, Coppersmith Barbet and more. You may find more if interested in birding.

Images of Birds in the area
Images of Birds in the area

High tide & Low tide

A cargo barge at the Jetty during high tide and the Sunrise
A cargo barge at the Jetty during high tide and the Sunrise

Another interesting feature to observe at the jetty is high tide & low tide. While Sunrise scene is at its best during high tide due to the golden color reflections in the water. The low tide scene helps one to understand how a vast amount of water recedes at a fast pace over 4-5 hours of time. Thus exposing the seabed & underwater marine life as nutritious food to a variety of birds.

Dramatically different scene during low tide
A dramatically different scene during low tide

Flamingos at Sewri Mumbai

Flamingos at the Jetty
Flamingos at the Jetty

Huge colonies comprising thousands of Lesser Flamingos migrate to Sewri and the nearby seashore of Mumbai during the winter. Though seen in large numbers here, these birds are considered near-threatened species. Due to the declining population and the low number of breeding sites, due to human activities.

Flamingos reach as water recedes during low tide
The birds reach as water recedes during low tide

Lesser Flamingos measure about 3 ft in height and have a deep-keeled bill. The larger black tip of the bill distinguishes them from the greater flamingos. Algae are their primary food. The shape of the bill helps them feed the tiny algae in the residual marine waters of the receding sea during low tide. The light pink color of the birds is attributed to their diet.

A large number of Lesser Flamingos in-flight
A large number of the birds-in-flight
Flamingos in-flight
Flamingos in-flight

The colonies of the birds can be seen flying across to choose the better spot to feed as the sea was receding.

Lesser Flamingos choosing the better spot to feed at low tide
The birds choose the better spot to feed at low tide

You can see the barges, oil storage facilities, evening lights, etc in the background.

Lesser Flamingos in-flight
Lesser Flamingos in-flight

Several smaller groups of birds too can be seen flying around here. The light was not right for photography. The birds were too far. For Flamingo photography be there an hour before the low tides of the day timings. These images were captured in the evening near sunset time.

Lesser Flamingos in flight with barges in the background
The birds in flight with barges in the background
Few Lesser Flamingos in flight and a large colony in the background
Few birds-in-flight and a large colony in the background
Small group of Lesser Flamingos in-flight
A small group of in-flight
Lesser flamingos in flight, follow the leader
In flight, the birds follow the leader
A colony of Lesser Flamingos take-off
A colony of the birds take-off

Megapolis Mumbai

Colorful Fishing boats parked at the jetty
Colorful Fishing boats parked at the jetty

The Megapolis Mumbai has over the past century transformed itself from a fishermen’s colony & people dependent on the sea to the financial capital of India. The highrise buildings can be seen from the jetty. One should be able to see the beautiful sunrise from these high-rise buildings as well.

View of the Sewri Jetty with high rise buildings in the background
View of the jetty with high-rise buildings in the background

Overall it was a nice visit. Recommend you explore the place sometimes.

Recommend you read the following places to visit in Mumbai and attractions for visitors.

Iconic CST – the nuances you do not know

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum – celebrating the city

Exploring the Street Art in Bandra

Banganga Tank – the Ancient heritage

Global Vipassana Pagoda or the Golden Pagoda

21 COMMENTS

  1. An opportunity of getting to observe both sunset and sunrise near beach or coastal areas would be wonderful esp for a person like me who have never been near to one forget about seeing them. However, my hope to visit one this year and observe both…:)

    And by the way, looking at the flight patterns of those amazing flamingos in your picture, I think theirs would be similar to that of yet another migratory birds black-necked cranes seen in my country Bhutan during winter. I am curious!

    • Sherab, The Sunrise & Sunset scenes over seascape are incredible to watch for fast changing colors and reflections. Watch them sometimes. I have not yet seen the black-necked Cranes although I visited Bhutan long time ago, they too would be interesting to watch.

  2. nature`s beauty in urban mumbai ! ?
    wow,
    a new twist of thinking at its best description.
    brings 2 my mind the sunset point in nakki lake in mount abu, rajasthan.
    such points on the chandipur sea coast and beaches, odisha launch pads r also a beauty 2 watch.
    goa beaches al2gether a diffferent wonder.
    xplore more, ……..

  3. Love this was in mumbai for sometime never knew about this place. Thanks for sharing this Mam will visit this in the near future 🙂

    • Yogi, I am surprised that so many people do not know about this. I thought Sewri and Flamingos are quite popular in Mumbai. Happy that some people are finding this new information about Mumbai.

  4. I have been to Mumbai many times, but I have heard of and got a chance to visit this place. The nature photography is marvelous. Its even more wonderful to see that you encountered so many variety of birds. I am going to demand for a plan to visit this place from my aunt living there, next time I go to Mumbai. 🙂

  5. I am born and brought up in Mumbai. But sorry to say never got a chance to see Flemingos in Mumbai. I am proud of my birthplace . I am happy to see the beautiful pictures you have posted . Thank you , Anuratha.

  6. Very good article(s) madam!
    These days, even at the end of April (2017) as I write this comment, we can see thousands of our Siberian beautiful guests at Navi Mumbai … and that too just off the Palm Beach Road.

  7. The pictures speak a million words! I think I need to visit Mumbai with Sewri Jetty in mind! The flamingoes are beautiful!

  8. Planning a trip to Mumbai next month and making a list of “must to do things” and “places to visit” in Mumbai. This article adds a few more amazing places to visit in my list and the pictures are extremely beautiful
    Thanks for sharing this information Anu.

  9. Nice article. Loved reading it.

    Even I also liked the flamingo sightseeing in late December. Sewri fort was another delightful sightseeing.

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