Narara Marine National Park, Gujarat

It looks asleep to me, slimy skin shining in the ankle-deep water. But just as I begin to walk away, the brown octopus squirms slowly to life, squirts a jet of thick, blackish ink over my feet and darts away.

I am 10 minutes into my evening walk around Narara Marine National Park and Sanctuary, an inter-tidal zone that lies off the coast of the Gulf of Kutch.

Our guide sidesteps sea anemones waving their tentacles, as he tells us about the reserve’s estuaries, mangroves, and mudflats, all rich in avian life. There are numerous ways to explore Narara.

Canoes can be hired to examine the mangroves and its inhabitants. On land, there are cycling routes along embankments that give vehicles gorgeous views of the ocean.

Situated: Narara Marine National Park is 60 km/1 hr west of Jamnagar and 7 km/15 min from Jamnagar airport. Tickets can be purchased at the Forest Department office.