Satapada Chilika Lake, Dolphin Point, Puri

Post category:Island / Lake / Puri

Satapada is located on the southeast side of the Chilika lagoon and is 50 km distance from the Puri Jagannath Temple. It is the largest brackish water in Asia. Satapada Chilika covers an area of 1165 sq. km over the districts of Puri, Khorda, and Ganjam. Chilika is home to more than a hundred species of fish and Irrawaddy dolphins. Chilika Satapada has the second-largest congregation of migratory birds in the world after Lake Victoria in Africa. In winter, the migratory birds come from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, the Aral Sea, and other parts of Russia; the Kirghiz Steppes of Mongolia; Central & Southeast Asia; Ladakh; and the Himalayas. The place is very beautiful and attractive to visitors and tourists.

Satapada has a boating point, Dolphin Zone, Chilka Ecopark, and the Satapada Dolphin Centre facility for tourists. There are many small and big hotels, resorts, eco camps, and desi dhabas near Chilika Lake for tourists. Fishing, bird watching, and boating in the lake are major attractions for tourists in winter. Satapada Chilika Lake is one of the best tourist places in Puri, Odisha.

Useful Travel Information

Satapada Lake supports the only known Irrawaddy population in India and is one of only two lagoons globally with these dolphins.
Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, depending on dolphin activity and weather. Engine noise is switched off at viewing zones, boats keep a 100 m distance, and some boats are allowed simultaneously per dolphin spot.
The Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and the Satapada motorboat association operate dolphin‑watching tours using powered boats with safety life jackets.
Entry fee: ₹10 per person, with boating charges varying from ₹800 to ₹2,500 per trip depending on boat size
Regular durations: 1 to 4 hours, with more extensive tours including Sea‑Mouth Island, Rajhans Island, and sometimes the Nalabana bird sanctuary
Dining options include local seafood eateries such as Masala Bites, Chilika Restaurant, and small dhabas offering fresh fish, prawns, and crabs.
Satapada Dolphin Point is an ideal blend of wildlife sightings and serene water landscapes. Whether you’re drawn by the elusive dolphins or the winter birdlife, it’s a memorable destination—just ensure you choose authorised operators and respect the ecosystem.