OVERVIEW

The main attraction for the tourists who haunt Odisha is its finest golden sand beaches. The beaches of Odisha with their soft golden sands fringed by surging seawater that constantly changes colors, and a sky with breath-taking sunsets continue to lay claim to being among the best in the world. It is not very difficult to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sun and the sea and its numerous admiring visitors start flocking to the beaches in the winter months too since the seawater is still warm enough for taking a dip.

PURI BEACH:

The beach at Puri is the longest and the liveliest not only in Odisha but in the country as a whole. From morning to evening, the seashore at Puri hums with a charming multiplicity of activities. When the dawn with its soft paste hues caresses and soothes the restless sea waves, pilgrims in search of peace or salvation also enter the water with folded hands and a prayer on their lips, seeking the blessings of the sun, water, and earth. As the sun climbs higher into the sky and sea birds with their strange cries begin to whirl overhead, holidaymakers intent on fun and frolic also make a beeline for the seashore. With the sacred mission to Puri, one of the holiest places for all believers, pilgrims tend to hurry back after taking their sacred dips. But tourists and travelers who have journeyed to Puri to taste the joys of its beach linger and stroll on the vast expanse of the sands at peace with themselves. The golden sands warmed by the sun quickly become cold to the touch when dusk falls. If the moon is fully waxing, the sea and the beach present yet another series of fascinating spectacles to visitors. Strolling hand in hand or alone on moonlit, golden sands, with the moonlight creating changing patterns on the water as the waves roll in is an extraordinary experience.

KONARK BEACH:

Barely 35 km eastwards from Puri, and just 3 km from the famous Sun Temple (protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at Konark lies a stretch of beach as enchanting as the shoreline of Puri. With a long stretch of clean sands and cool blue sea making rapids in rolling waves, the beach claims to be one of the best on the eastern coast for having a lovely serenity of its own. Besides, the long stretch of casuarinas provides an excellent sightseeing or picnic spot where one can have lots of fun and frolic.

GOPALPUR BEACH:

Southwards from Puri lies the off-beat beach resort of Gopalpur Beach. Located about 16 km from Berhampur the beach at Gopalpur is ‘the best in Odisha’. In some ways, the beach is more exotic than the other beaches on the coastline of Odisha. Palm and coconut trees and coconut groves add a touch of their own to the exclusive beach, free from the distractions and the multitudes that throng the beach at Puri. One can still see the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty, witness to its past glory of commercial activity as a major part.

PATI-SONAPUR BEACH:

Approximately 20km from Berhampur, 35km from Gopalpur beach, and 4 km off the NH-16 that connects Kolkata with Chennai the virgin beach at Pati-Sonapur is one of the most exquisite places on the east coast. Right on the confluence of the river Bahuda and the Bay of Bengal, the scenic beauty of the area is simply enchanting.

CHANDIPUR BEACH:

Though a small place, Chandipur is a peaceful seaside resort where the sea recedes and proceeds 5 km every day. It is 16 km away from Balasore, the district headquarters. At low tide, it can be a paradise for swimmers. Legend has it that Chandipur (township of silver moonlight) derived its name from the silvery, shimmering, moonlit sands of the beach.