5 Beaches in Odisha You Must Visit

The Odisha coastline stretches for about 482 km and is dotted with beautiful beaches. The long coastline and the many rivers that flow into the sea make Odisha an ideal place for a beach holiday. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing beach holiday, Odisha is the perfect destination. The beaches of Odisha are an integral part of Odisha Tourism industry. in this article, Let’s explore the best Beaches in Odisha.

The most popular beaches in Odisha are:

• Puri
• Chandrabhaga
• Gopalpur
• Paradip
• Chandipur

Puri Beach

Puri is the best-known of the three and is also the most developed. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Odisha and is known for its beautiful golden sand and blue waters. The beach is also home to the Puri Jagannath Temple, which is one of the most important religious sites in the country. Puri beach is the most famous Beach in Odisha.

Things to do at Puri Beach

For those seeking some adrenalin rush, visit the camps located along the marine drive along Puri Konark route and indulge in kayaking, surfing , jet skiing and boating. There is a water park for wholesome entertainment too.

For the connoisseurs of art, a visit to the heritage art village of Raghurajpur is highly recommended, check out how the artist with deft touches of the brush brings to life the paintings on cloth, known worldwide as Pattachitra.

Chandrabhaga Beach

Chandrabhaga beach is one of the most popular beaches in Odisha. It is located on the eastern coast of the state and is a part of the Puri district. The beach is known for its beautiful golden sand and clear blue waters. It is also a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. Chandrabhaga beach is also a popular destination for fishing.

Walking down the empty beach, with the setting sun on the horizon is just magical. That’s what Chandrabhaga offers to its visitors. Located at the Konark, the abode of the magnificent Sun Temple, the beach is known for its stunning sunrise and sunset.As per legend Sambha son of Lord Krishna prayed here to the Sun God and through the latter’s blessings he got rid of leprosy. Thus the beach has an important spiritual significance in Odisha.

It’s also the venue of the famous “International sand Art Festival” where renowned sand artists from all over the globe converge to showcase their craft. The five day long festival attracts large number of tourists and locals alike.

Things to do at Chandrabhaga Beach

• Often the best thing to do when you are in a setting as beautiful as this, is to do nothing at all.
• Boating in the calm waters of the sea is an enthralling experience. Enlist the services of the local boats stationed at the beach. But take necessary precautions.
• For those who seek adventure, there are camps along the marine drive from Puri to Konark which offers options in water sports.

Gopalpur Beach

Gopalpur Beach is a beach in the Gopalpur municipality on the Bay of Bengal coast in Odisha, India. It is a popular tourist destination. Sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the beach. Gopalpur Beach is located on the Bay of Bengal in the Gopalpur municipality, Odisha, India. It is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from the city of Berhampur and about 193 kilometres (120 mi) from the state capital Bhubaneswar.

The beach is a popular tourist destination. It is also a nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles. The beach has been developed by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). It has a wide range of tourist facilities including a beach resort, convention centre, swimming pool, water sports complex and auditorium.

The OTDC also organises a week-long ‘Gopalpur Beach Festival’ every December, which includes cultural programmes, food stalls, sand sculpting and other events. Gopalpur Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with a wide range of tourist facilities. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the stunning views of the Bay of Bengal.

Gopalpur was the place where the first ever modern hotel was built in Odisha and probably the first ever beach resort of the country. The Palm Beach Resort was built in 1914 by an Italian gentleman by the name of Signor Maglioni to cater to the merchants and businessmen. The hotel was bought by the Oberoi group of hotels in 1948 in what was the group’s first venture into the hospitality business. Currently the hotel is owned by the Mayfair Group of Hotels.

The casuarina groves that line up the sun kissed beach makes for enchanting sight. The beach is mostly secluded and one of the cleanest beaches in the country.

Things to do at Gopalpur Beach

• The sea is too rough for swimming, hence we advise you not to indulge.
• As the beach is east facing, the sunrise and sunsets are spectacular.
• It is the best place to steal a quiet moment to yourself and a stroll along the shore is quite rejuvenating
• A walk through the town one comes across many old dilapidated buildings from a bygone era which lends character to this quaint beach town.
• For the seafood lovers a stroll to the early morning fish market is recommended.

Paradip Beach

The paradip beach is a beautiful sandy beach located in the city of paradip, Orissa, India. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Orissa and is often referred to as the “Pearl Beach of India”. The paradip beach is situated on the east coast of India and is about 18 km long. The beach is flanked by two rivers, the Mahanadi and the Narmada, which flow into the Bay of Bengal.

The paradip beach is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Bay of Bengal. The beach is also popular for its unique rock formations, which are a result of the erosion of the rocks by the sea. The paradip beach is a perfect place to enjoy a variety of water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing.

Located 125 Km from the capital city Bhubaneswar, Paradip is one of the most important commercial ports in the country. The beach with green forest cover, natural creeks and an island is one of the most popular beaches in the state. Clear blue waters surrounded by green forest cover and its location at the confluence of the river Mahanadi with the Bay of Bengal, make Paradip one of the most sought-after beaches of the state. A leisurely drive along the marine drive with the setting sun on the horizon is one of the highlights of this beautiful beach destination of Odisha.

The sight of huge cargo ships anchored in the port always entices the photographers for that one perfect shot for posterity.

Things to do at Paradip Beach

• One can indulge in the usual beach activities but always enlist the help of the lifeguard before venturing into the sea.
• Steal a moment for yourself, bask in the serene settings and savour the beauty of solitude.
• Paradip Marine Aquarium – the small boat-shaped building houses a variety of marine and fresh water animals and offers a good entertainment especially for the children
• One can visit the port with necessary permissions.

Chandipur Beach

Chandipur Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Odisha. It is located in the district of Puri and is about 16 km from the town of Puri. The beach is a perfect getaway for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the sea and the sand. The beach is also a great spot for swimming, sunbathing and fishing. The beach is not only popular with the tourists but also with the locals. It is a common sight to see the locals fishing in the sea. The beach is also a great place to enjoy the sunset.

Chandipur beach is the cleanest Beaches in Odisha. The beach is also home to a number of hotels and resorts. The most popular among them is the Chandipur Beach Resort. The resort is located on the beach and offers a number of facilities to the guests. The resort also has a restaurant where one can enjoy the delicious sea food. The beach is also a great place to shop for souvenirs. There are a number of shops selling souvenirs made of shells, coral and other sea products.

Chandipur is a beach like no other. During low tides the beach recedes upto 5 KM offering visitors the opportunity to walk on the sea bed. This unique phenomenon helps the beach to support its equally unique biodiversity.It is home to the endangered horse shoe crabs, star fish, sea urchins to name a few. The water of the beach is muddy making it unsuited for bathing.

Things to do at Chandipur Beach

• While walking on the sea bed during low tides always ensure that you heed the advice of the locals for the water comes rushing in during high tides
• The confluence of the Buddhbalanga River is a scenic spot and popular amongst locals a picnic spot.
• The Panchalingeswara temple located 41KM from Chandipur is a revered temple of the region.

Planning your visit to beaches in Odisha

Most of the beaches in Odisha are well connected with major cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri , Berhampur etc. You can fly into Bhubaneswar if you are visiting a near by beach. From Bhubaneswar you can travel by road or train to other Beaches in Odisha.

Where to stay while visiting beaches in Odisha?

There are a number of option available while visiting beaches of Odisha. The most convenient way is to book OTDC hotels. They are maintained by the Odisha Tourism department. There are several private hotel chains like Swosti hotels who are known for good quality hotels in Odisha.

FAQs on Beaches in Odisha