<p>Vegetated coastal habitats such as mangrove forests, salt marshes and sea grass make important contributions to carbon biogeochemistry in the coastal zone. Increasing awareness of blue carbon has prompted research in carbon stock assessment of these habitats. Several researchers have estimated the carbon stock in mature mangrove forests, salt marsh vegetation and seagrass meadows in different part of the world. However, little information exists on how carbon stocks vary in young mangrove stands and salt marshes that coexists in dry tropical coastal regions. The present investigation involved the estimation of sub-surface (2–15&#xa0;cm) soil organic carbon from the coastal habitats of Bharuch district, Gujarat State. A total of 33 samples were collected from mangrove, salt marsh (vegetated) and open (barren) mudflat areas. The results showed variation in the carbon content between vegetated and open mudflats. The organic carbon content of mangrove was 0.65 ± 0.29%, salt marsh was 0.67 ± 0.32% and open mudflat was 0.35 ± 0.22%. The young age of mangrove stand could be the reason for the low value of organic carbon in the mangrove area. The results indicated an almost equal average of organic carbon in the mangrove and tropical salt marsh area. The study provides a baseline data for organic carbon stock of tropical salt marshes and highlights need for quantification of organic carbon stock in tropical salt marshes. Such studies would increase the understanding the efficiency of tropical salt marshes as sinks of CO₂.</p>