What Changed in the Sundarbans Tourist Boat Cap (2025)
Daily boat limits near 120, advance passenger lists, and online OTP booking for STR tourism boats from September 2025.
Last updated
Forest staff tightened how many tourist boats may enter the Sundarban Tiger Reserve on a given day. Press reporting from September 2025 described a cap of about 120 boats, with operators required to submit visitor names and details in advance and complete online booking steps (including OTP verification on registered operator phones).
Why it matters if you are booking now
Winter weekends — especially December and January — already sold out lodges and boats in past years. A hard daily quota means a cheap “join tomorrow” deal may simply have no legal slot left. Pay deposits only after your agent shows how your date fits STR registration, not just a WhatsApp invoice.
What to ask your operator
- Is our boat registered with STR for the exact travel date?
- What is the licensed passenger capacity, and is our group within it?
- Are permits and guide fees included, with an itemised breakdown?
- How do you handle name list changes if someone cancels?
Officials have also stressed that boats with unauthorised structural modifications may be refused entry, and that passenger numbers should match approved capacity (with limited correction rules reported in the press).
Where the full picture lives
Permits, IDs, camp time limits, and forbidden activities are covered in our main Sundarban tour guidelines & STR permits. For seasonal timing, see best time to visit. Confirm live rules on sundarbantigerreserve.org before you travel.