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Chilka lake is an important habitat and breeding ground for both resident and migratory and aquatic birds, most notably flamingoes. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds in the Indian subcontinent. Migratory birds arrive in October from as far away as Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Himalayas and generally stay until March. Part of the lake is protected by the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, which harbors over 150 migratory and resident species of birds. The Nalaban Island within the lagoon is classified as a Bird Sanctuary under the wildlife protection act. The lake is also home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including 225 species of fish and the Irrawaddy dolphin (orcaella brevirostris). The rare limbless lizard barkudia insularis is endemic to one of the lake's small islands.

The larger islands lie between the sandbar and the lake, separated by shallow channels, and include Parikud, Phulbari, Berahpura, Nuapara, Nalbana, and Tampara. Some of the smaller islands are Breakfast Island, Honeymoon Island, Beacon Island, etc.

Boat in Barkul. Water Scooters and Pedal Boats are available here. Also, drivers of speedboats allow passengers to drive if requested. There is a boating club in nearby Tampara. The place is very beautiful and pedal boats are available here for Rs. 75.

The best time to visit Chilka is in the winter months, when migratory birds arrive there.

  • Nalabana – A designated bird sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, Nalabana is a big island in the center of the lake. A treat for bird-watchers in the winter months, this island is completely submerged in the monsoon months.
  • Bird Island – watch birds in their natural habitat.
  • Kalijai Island – abode of Goddess Kalijai. Pilgrims flock here in January during Makar Mela (at the time of Makar Sankranti) to pay obeisance to the Goddess. Is very close from Barkul. Flocks of peacocks roam here, mingling with the devotees.
  • Satapada - Is close to Dolphin point, where the critically endangered Irrawady dolphins and occasionally, bottle-nosed dolphins can be seen. Chilka is one of the only 2 lagoons in the world where Irrawady dolphins can be seen.
  • Brahmaputra - The place is known for its scenic beauty.
  • Breakfast Island - Is a 20 minutes boat ride from Rambha. Tourists pack breakfast from the OTDC panthanivas at Rambha and have it here in pristine surroundings. Beacon Island and Honeymoon Island are close by.

By plane – the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, about 120 km away from where taxis, trains and buses are available to the lake.

By rail – the nearest rail stations is at Balugaon, on the Howrah-Chennai track. From Balugaon buses are available to the lake.

Some of the trains which stop at Balugaon are: 6003/6004 Howrah Chennai Mail, 2703/2704 Faluknama Express, 8645/8646 East Coast Express, 6358/6357 Gurudev Express, 2863/2864 Howrah Yeshvantpur Express, 5228/5227 Muzaffarpur Yeshvantpur Express (weekly), 2508/2507 Guwahati Ernakulam Express (weekly), 2530/2509 Guwahati Bangalore Express (triweekly), 5628/5627 Guwahati Trivandrum Express (weekly).

For timings etc. check with Indian Railways [1].

By road – a part of Chilka Lake is visible from NH5 and the Howrah-Chennai train track. Many buses ply from Bhubaneswar (Baramunda Bus Station) and Cuttack (Badambadi Bus Station) to Balugaon throughout the day, OSRTC buses ( i.e. state run buses) being the best ones. The journey takes 2 hours and costs less than Rs. 100 one way. From there, one has to hire a taxi or an auto-ricksaw to reach Barkul or Rambha (In case of Rambha, passengers can alight at Keshpur, which is further ahead from Balugaon, and from there hire an auto-ricksaw). However, Satapada is not so well connected from Bhubaneswar and taxis have to be hired to get there.

Auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. The services of local boatmen and the motorboats of Orissa Tourism Development Corporation are available for access to the islands though outboard motors are not allowed near the bird sanctuary. OTDC boats can be hired at Barkul and Rambha, and cost between Rs 410 (for a 7-seater boat) to Rs 790 (for a 34-seater boat) per hour. A special tour is operated by the OTDC between Barkul and Kalijai, and costs Rs 40 per head. However you can find private machine operated boats for the tours, but you have to bargain a bit to get a fair deal.

A boat journey from Rambha to Satapada takes about 2 1/2 hours.

More information on Chilka can be obtained from the Government of Orissa Tourism Counter at the Tourist Bungalow in Rambha (District Ganjam) Orissa, Telephone +91 6810 278346.

Fish, prawn and the famous crab (always sold live) from Balugaon market. Numerous trinkets are available in Kalijai.

Chilka is famous for sea food like crab and prawn.

  • OTDC Panthanivas- At Rambha and Barkul, excellent food and very reasonable prices.
  • Rambha Dhaba - Close to chilka. Best and freshest veg and non veg stuff. Its one of the best dhabas in the area.
  • Chilka Dhaba - near Barkul Panthanivas
  • Chilka Hotel - Balugaon Main Road
  • Sagar fastfood and restaurant - Balugaon Main Road.
  • NARAYANI RESTAURANT-near barkul panthanivas road. Mob:9861364135

Drinks are available but if any one is particular about brands and such things, it is safer to carry one's own.