A huge brackish lagoon on the Odisha coast, known for winter birds, Irrawaddy dolphins and island shrines.
FamousLakeWildlifeIslandPilgrimage
Chilika is a Ramsar wetland where thousands of migratory birds gather in winter and Irrawaddy dolphins live near Satapada. Boat trips link small islands, a goddess shrine and quiet fishing villages. It suits birdwatchers, families and anyone who likes slow days on the water.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
A boat ride on Chilika Lake near BalugaonThe Mangalajodi wetlands on the northern edge of Chilika
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to February
Main season. Mild winter weather, around 17 C at its coolest, and migratory birds are present.
March to June
Hot, with summer averages around 31 C. Birds leave by about April and the lake shrinks.
July to September
Monsoon. Sources advise avoiding July and August; Nalabana is mostly under water.
Sights and activities
1
Nalabana Bird Sanctuary
An island in the middle of the lake declared a sanctuary in 1987. Flamingos, herons, ducks and waders gather here in winter; landing is not allowed, so you watch from the boat.
A rocky island with a shrine to Goddess Kalijai, seen as the guardian of the lagoon. It is the most visited spot on the lake and very busy at Makar Sankranti in January.
Small islands in the south of the lake, including Breakfast Island, Honeymoon (Barkuda) Island, Bird's Island and Beacon Island. Breakfast Island is about 20 minutes by boat.
OSRTC and private buses run from Baramunda (Bhubaneswar) and Cuttack to Balugaon on the national highway in about 2 hours. Local buses run from Puri to Satapada.
By train
Balugaon station on the Howrah-Chennai line is the nearest railhead, about 5-8 km from Barkul. Rambha also has a station near the southern shore.
By air
Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, about 90-105 km from Barkul and about 110 km from Satapada. A taxi takes about 3 hours.
Where to base yourself
Stay at Barkul or Balugaon for the central lake and Nalabana, and add a night at Satapada or Rambha for dolphins or the southern islands.
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and taxis link Balugaon station with Barkul and Rambha; an auto has been quoted at about 150 rupees and a taxi about 400 rupees.
OTDC boats run from Barkul and Rambha, and private country boats can be hired at Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon and Satapada; bargain for private boats.
Older listed OTDC rates at Rambha were about 550 rupees per hour for a 10-seat motorboat and 1,650 rupees per hour for a 5-seat speedboat.
OTDC boats at Satapada for dolphin trips have been quoted at about 1,170-1,240 rupees per hour for a 20-seat boat.
Inland Water Transport ferries connect the mainland with inhabited islands.
Local buses run between Puri and Satapada, and OTDC has run a day coach tour from Puri to Satapada.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
OTDC Panthanivas non-AC rooms or simple lodges in Balugaon
₹550 to ₹1,000
Mid-range
OTDC Panthanivas AC rooms at Barkul, Rambha or Satapada
₹1,300 to ₹2,400
Luxury
Lakeside cottages at Panthanivas Rambha or Barkul
₹2,400 to ₹2,900
Food
Seafood from the lake is the main draw, cooked Odia style with rich gravies. Dhabas and small restaurants line the highway at Balugaon and Barkul, and every Panthanivas has a restaurant. Yatrinivas at Satapada is known for crab and prawns. The islands have no food, so carry water and snacks on boat trips.
Try these
Chilika prawns (curried or fried, often tiger prawns)
Crab curry (lake crab in a spicy Odia gravy)
Pomfret fry (whole fish fried with spices)
Lobster in Odia-style masala gravy
Vegetarian meals are available at Panthanivas restaurants and at dhabas such as Rambha Dhaba, which serves both veg and non-veg.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹800
₹400
₹300 per person
Mid-range
₹2,000
₹800
₹1,500 per vehicle
Luxury
₹2,900
₹1,500
₹3,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit is needed for boat trips or the main islands. Landing on Nalabana is not allowed. Night visits to the Rushikulya turtle nesting beach need permission from the forest division (DFO).
Safety
By day
Generally safe. Use registered OTDC or licensed boats, wear the life jacket offered, and agree boat rates before setting off.
At night
Boating stops by late afternoon. Barkul, Rambha and Satapada are quiet after dark; stay near your lodging.
Solo women
No specific concerns found. The usual care applies: use official boats and stay at OTDC or well-reviewed lodges.
Roads
The national highway along the western shore through Balugaon, Barkul and Rambha is the main road. The Puri to Satapada road is a smaller road via Brahmagiri.
Famous
Famous
Famous
Famous