Sundarbans in May
West Bengal, India
Water temperatures spike to dangerous levels; heatstroke risk is real for boat-based tiger safaris
May brings cyclone risk to the delta. The heat is extreme, the water is choppy, and most responsible operators reduce or stop tours. The tigers know what you don't — stay away.
The May story
Season closed for good reason
Why May scores 2.0/10
Weather
Extreme heat
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓Families with children
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗everyone
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.0/10 | Peak season — best tiger sighting odds |
| February | 10.0/10 | February keeps conditions ideal. The water is calm, visibility through mangrove channels is maximum, and the birding is extraordinary — kingfishers, white-bellied sea eagles, and if you're… |
| March | 8.0/10 | Good season, warming |
| April | 4.0/10 | Hot |
| Mayviewing | 2.0/10 | Extreme heat |
| June | 2.0/10 | Monsoon — effectively closed |
| July | 2.0/10 | Peak monsoon — closed |
| August | 2.0/10 | Peak monsoon — closed |
| September | 2.0/10 | Late monsoon — still closed |
| October | 6.0/10 | October cautiously reopens the Sundarbans. |
| November | 8.0/10 | Good season building |
| December | 10.0/10 | December Sundarbans is magic. Cool mornings on the boat, mist rising from mangrove channels, and tigers on mudflats catching the low winter sun. |
Nearby in West Bengal scoring high in May
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