Pirotan Island

               Pirotan Island (also known as Pirothan) is an Arabian Sea island in the Marine National Park, Jamnagar District of Gujarat state, India.It is located 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the coast (Bedi Port), consists of mangroves and low-tide beaches, and has an area of 3 square kilometres. The center of the island is at 22°35′59.7″N 69°57′20.8″E. Rozi island is located about 10 kilometres to the southeast.

          

       The island was originally known "Pir jo thaan" meaning the place of the holy Saint Khwaja Khizer Rahmatullahialaih. The sacred shrine of Khwaja Khijer Rahmatullahialaih is located on the island.

     

      Of the 42 islands in the park, Pirotan Island is the most popular and is one of the two islands where visitors are normally permitted.[citation needed] Visitation is strictly limited, permission is required from the Forest Department, Customs Department and the Ports.The mangroves consist mainly of species of Rhizophora, Avicennia and Ceriops.

        There are no routine ferry service to island. One has to hire boats from the port. These boats take about 1.5 hours to reach the island. Since the beach is very shallow, the boats can only reach the island during high tide and leave the island during high tide.

Marine: 

 Various types of Crabs    Wiper- Isosceles     Sea Worms

 Neptune                              Sea snakes               Sabella

 Wolf                                  Sea slugs                   Mud Skipper

 King crab                           Sea Horse                  Sea Bonellia

 Hermit crabs                      Squid                        Coaster Cather

 Ghost crabs                       Sea Anemone             Sea Urchin

Sea Scorpions                         Octopus    

Plus there are Saw-scaled Vipers & Scorpions too  

                                                                                                                               

   

Visiting Pirotan:

           Most visitors come in the morning with the high tide and leave by evening. Weekends in winters may bring more than 200-300 visitors.                                                                                              

        The island being protected marine park, several permissions are required for visiting. For Indian Nationals, permission from local Forest Department, Customs Department & Ports Department. Foreign nationals additionally require permission for Police Office.

       There are no routine ferry service to island. One has to hire boats from the port. These boats take about 1.5 hours to reach the island. Since the beach is very shallow, the boats can only reach the island during high tide and leave the island during high tide.