At drive of a little over than 1 hour from Puri (110 KM from Bhubaneswar) guides you to the ‘scarlet paradise’ of Odisha. Satapada, a small island is just a boat ride away from Satpada jetty, is the home of endangered endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins.
This part of Chilika boasts the magnificent presence of these creatures and it is a matter of sheer fortune to get hold of their sight. Apart from the dolphins, the sea mouth where one can witness the merging of Chilika lake and the Bay of Bengal is a treat to the eyes.
Irrawady Dolphins and Migratory Birds
There is no doubt in the rich mammalian heritage that Satpada stores in its lap. But when it comes to avian creatures, Satpada in winters get busy welcoming numerous migratory birds.
Bountiful numbers of avian species flock the lagoon in the winter seasons. Bird watchers from in and around the state come in huge numbers to get glance of these wonderful creatures. In the winters, the bird sanctuary at the Nalabana Island attracts tourists from worldwide.
The island offers a perfect setting to spend serene moments in the midst of breath-taking natural abundance. The perfect place for a get- away from busy hectic schedules and spend in the lap of nature.
How to Get to the Main Island
Different types of boats are available at Satapada, all of which are power driven. these boats are managed by the motor boat association of Satapada. The association has chalked out rate charts for the boats based on capacity and duration. They also maintain rest room, toilets and drinking water for the tourists.
The main attraction of Satapada boat ride are the Irrawady dolphins. The highest number of Irrawaddy dolphins are seen in Chilika. Specific points have been designated where dolphins can be seen in plenty. The motor boats switch off the engine at the dolphin points to maintain silence. It is mandatory for boats to switch off the engine and maintain 50 M distance from the dolphins. At best only, 5 boats are allowed near the dolphin at the same time.
From the Dolphin Point, the Sea Mouth Island is one-hour ride. Tourists take a stroll on the mouth of the sea and munch into freshly fried fish and crabs at small food stalls on the spot.
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How to Reach and Where to Stay
Bhubaneswar-Puri-Satapada tours are organised by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) every month. For nature and avian lovers who want to stay back and witness the sunrise and sunset in Chilika Lake, there is just one accommodation option in the area.
There is the OTDC-managed Yatri Nivas close to the Satpada Jetty where rooms can be booked online through www.otdc.in. Rooms can also be booked through tourist offices in Puri and Bhubaneswar.
Other attractions near Satapada:
On the way to Satapada from Puri at a distance of 22kms, there is a place known as Brahmagiri where Alarnath temple is located. Many devotees visit this temple during Anasara period when Darshan of Lord Jagannatha is closed. This period falls just before the Ratha Yatra (Car festival) time.
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