Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Coastal wildlife sanctuary in Nagapattinam, India
Point Calimere covers more than 385 square kilometers along the Coromandel Coast, encompassing tidal flats, sandbars, and dense mangrove forests. The sanctuary consists of shallow lagoons that open into wide bays, while narrow paths wind through low vegetation and salt marshes.
The area became an official sanctuary in 1967 to protect the local blackbuck population from disappearing. It gained international recognition in 2002 as a wetland of global importance because of its role for migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia.
The name comes from French Cap Comorin, used by early cartographers to mark this prominent coastal point. Fishers from nearby villages traditionally work the shallow waters for small catches and respect nesting seasons when migratory birds arrive.
The best months for birdwatching are November to January, when large flocks arrive from the north and gather on the water surfaces. Visitors should bring binoculars and wear flat shoes, as the trails are often wet and sometimes cross shallow streams.
A flat stone slab with unusual impressions sits at the highest point of the peninsula and is linked in local tradition to a mythical observation across the sea. Visitors can follow the curve of the coastline southward from the same spot, where the land tapers into the Palk Strait.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
