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Odisha
Puri District
Puri
Things to do in Puri
Chilika Lake
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Chilika Lake

See all things to do
See all things to do
Chilika Lake
4
#6 of 43 things to do in Puri
Bodies of Water
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 AM
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Address
Satapada, Puri 752001 India
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  • Amit_Kansal
    Ghaziabad, India35 contributions
    overrated destination
    Go there for the sake of going. Don't feel bad if you don't spot a dolphin or just happen to see head of one dolphin. don't expect them to dive in the ocean as the pictures make you believe so. Sea mouth beach is very pristine and can be enjoyed but going so far just to enjoy sea mouth beach might be too much. think again before going to Chilka. Better plan for Bhitarkanika. that is much rewarding.
    Visited December 2022
    Written December 27, 2022
  • NARESH B
    Gurugram (Gurgaon), India6 contributions
    Best kept secret
    Driver has taken us to private office near Lake to book a boat , we were two , they asked us to pay Rs 5550/- , we asked them to adjust in a boat as were two persons , but refused , they were noting car number on slip , may be they are paying to driver also some commission. We were fooled by person on island for pearl , monga , they demanded Rs 850 for pearl , but we paid Rs 200/- , still very expensive. It should not be more than Rs 80 /- On the way , our car driver asked us to book lunch , but we denied. Saved us some money and time Orissa Govt must look into it and take Chilka Lake operations into their control, otherwise , it is loot
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written December 29, 2022
  • Subhro Gupta
    4 contributions
    Non existent facilities for tourists at Chilika Lake.
    Chilika Lake should be developed to provide proper facilities to tourists. Current situation is such that the place where most tourists are taken is a dirty lakeside area surrounded by litter and dung. No arrangements for a place for one to sit. Boating arrangements managed by some group apparently under government supervision but the boats did not evoke confidence. No control over rates, and some shacks the only place for lunch. This in short is what Chilika is today. A huge disappointment for us and a real shame that our tourism department is not doing anything to develop such a natural tourist destination.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with friends
    Written January 15, 2023
  • Sarvesh
    2 contributions
    Beware of the fraudsters
    Do not get fooled by the local boat association they try to charge more money for boat rides across the lake. Their boats are fishing boats, so it will not be comfortable ride. You can instead opt for OTDC boat ride, they provide a better stable boat and have fixed rates for 3 hr boat ride which can be seen on their website. Also, few people will try to fool you into buying gemstone, saying that they have obtained them from the sea but those are fake stones which they add in the clamps and corals which are not even the real source of these gemstones. For seeing dolphins, you have to go early in the morning still there is no guarantee that you will get to see them.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written February 5, 2023
  • tushar k
    New Delhi, India89 contributions
    Best beach around Puri
    Expensive boat tour but the beach is just amazing. Very difficult to spot the Dolphins as the bots are too noisy. They sell some stones, but very polished stones hence seems fake or drafted. The best attraction is only the beach. Very serene and clean, kids loved it. be prepare for the heat and sun, but if the weather is supportive then nothing comparable
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 23, 2023
  • Shiva Shinde
    Nagpur District, India10 contributions
    True experience of Chilika
    It take ₹4500 to book a boat with capacity of 6-8 people. The first thing you'll see is crab island, there are not many crabs there and you're not allowed to get out of boat. They will show you pearls and gemstones to buy, it is your wish spend time in bargaining. But let me tell you, you will get same pearls at a fraction of cost on last island/beach. The driver of boats are bound to show you dolphins, so it may take much time. Place is good to visit if you love nature, beach, pearls or alike. It takes 30-45 min to just go from one point to other, hence you may be bored. Take something for entertainment.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 30, 2023
  • Coastal51591120217
    1 contribution
    Chilika lake experience
    They will offer 2 kinds of rides. We paid for Rs 4750rs ride. It is 4 hr trip. In 4 hrs , 3/4th time you will be spending looking for dolphins in the lake. Even if u do u will see only the head and little bit of the body of dolphins. The boat ride is noisy and boring. The beach island and crab is ok. Overall it is not worth the money or our time.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written November 26, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,357 reviews
Excellent
460
Very good
427
Average
265
Poor
109
Terrible
96
Nomad27610359620
2 contributions
Very Average.
Nov. 2023 • Family
Fake pearl sellers. No penguins seen. No red crabs. Ticket is so expensive. No good service. Nothing special.
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal51591120217
1 contribution
Chilika lake experience
Nov. 2023 • Family
They will offer 2 kinds of rides. We paid for Rs 4750rs ride. It is 4 hr trip. In 4 hrs , 3/4th time you will be spending looking for dolphins in the lake. Even if u do u will see only the head and little bit of the body of dolphins. The boat ride is noisy and boring. The beach island and crab is ok. Overall it is not worth the money or our time.
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
naveen
Kota, India5 contributions
3 hours boat ride is boring and din not take fake pearls …overcharged sea food at iceland
Nov. 2023 • Family
Boat ride experience is awesome but don’t take for 3 hours …it is boring ….one hour is enough ….there you will find people selling fresh pearl but that is face …they demand 1500 rs for a pearl but same thing available in just 60 rs in other places …pearl and gems are totally fake …
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nupur R
Mumbai, India34 contributions
Inexperienced boatman makes a mess, fails to help as tourists fall into water
Oct. 2023 • Family
Went for a boat ride from Barkul with Maa Kalijai Motor Danga Malika Sangha. Very irresponsible company, allowing inexperienced people to handle boats. Our boat got stuck at one point, the lone boatman broke the bamboo staff while trying to pole it, and we had to wait for a long time before a relief boat came. Just another man in a boat arrived; no other persons to help though at least a dozen people had to change boats in the water far away from any landing. They made a hash of it, leading to several tourists, including women, falling into the water. Then none would get into the water to help pull them out. This was a terrible experience
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_deeppal2012
Mumbai, India6 contributions
Overhyped overpriced boating experience
Oct. 2023 • Family
Chilika lake was one of the places I had not visited even though had gone to Puri several times. So made up my mind to visit it this time.

The price for a 3.5 hours ride is 4750,which considering the state of the boat is way too much. For context, an overnight stay in a AC boathouse offering lunch, dinner and breakfast in Kerala is 5400.

The trip includes 3 points- sea mouth , dolphin spotting,red crab island.

First red crab island - someone will come with a bucket containing a few red crabs, then try to sell pearls.

Dolphin point -Dolphins are rarely spotted because these idiots use motor boats which make terrible noise, so the dolphins stay away from them mostly.

Sea mouth - the boat doesnt go up to the sea mouth, it stops way ahead of it and you have to walk a bit to see the sea from an island where they will drop you, and get some seafood and chilled beer there.

The entire experience is way too long, overpriced, monotonous, severely overhyped, this can be easily avoided to save your time,effort and money.

One of the worst experience ever. Difficult to describe the level of frustration this trip brought. There's literally not one single good thing about it.
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abhik Roy
Bhubaneswar, India3 contributions
One day in chilka
Oct. 2023 • Friends
If you find to see the chilka lake's review then you see many of bad and good reviews

First of all the perfect time to visit this place is winter
At that time You get to see the migratory birds, Dolphins and a few Islands and the sunset is really breathtaking.. This isn't all about Chilika...

Do visit the Kalijai Temple...

If you love Sea food this is the place for you. There's this "Chilika Dhaba". But that also some good and bad reviews,that's why I try my food to OTDC PANTHANIVAS Restaurant.They serve really nice food and The Crab curry is definitely a must try.
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious64583925822
1 contribution
Amazing
Sep. 2023 • Family
Views are amazing and original pearls, stones at very genuine price... they actually break the shell and coral reefs infront of you to show original pearls and stones...worth investing ur time and money:)
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler44185262909
1 contribution
Beware biggest scam
Sep. 2023 • Friends
Chilka lake no doubt is beautiful! But one need to be aware of couple of things....

The boat is a normal wooden boat and quote unsafe.No safety measures

Biggest issue we faced was the boat wala taking u aside to show real oyster pearl which is nothing but fraud .We got cheated with fake pearls etc ...logde a complaint with the cops with no help...

So pls be careful and dnt get cheated
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lakshmi T
3 contributions
Cheating in crab visiting tourist spot during boating
Sep. 2023 • Family
Lot of cheating during boating visit spots. Near crab visits. Showing opening nature shells and shows duplicate pearls and stones.
Don’t buy anything. Tell they are government workers and cheating. These guys are to be arrested for tourists cheating.
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veena G
1 contribution
My experience is very nice
Aug. 2023 • Couples
Super place....go with family and friends.... good....my experience is very good
Go with family and friends
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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CHILIKA LAKE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Chilika Lake
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