The best time to visit Chilika is in the winter months, when migratory birds arrive there.
- 1 Bird Island. Watch birds in their natural habitat.
- 2 Breakfast Island. A 20-minute 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.
- 3 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. Legends say that 200-300 years ago a girl named Kali drowned, near the present Kalijai Temple, while returning to her maternal house from her husband's. A few years later her sister, Jai, came looking for Kali and came to the island. She died on the island(reasons unknown). Fishermen and other local folks used to hear cries of two girls at nights. But soon after the temple was built the cries stopped for good. Earlier fishermen used to visit the temple before venturing into the deep sea, but nowadays, it's just another tourist spot.
- 4 Mangalajodi. A former poachers village which has become a community owned wildlife venture. The community is supported by Mangalajodi Ecotourism.
- 5 Nalabana Bird Sanctuary. 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.
- 6 Rambha. It is a good place from which to discover Chilika Lake and this guide offers boat trips to visit the islands and watch birds.
- 7 Satapada. Close to Dolphin point, where the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins and occasionally, bottle-nosed dolphins can be seen. Chilika is one of the only 2 lagoons in the world where Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen. Boat rides are available to the 8 Chilika Sea Mouth.. The sea mouth is located on a strip of sand lined with casuarina trees. The boats don't take visitors to the actual sea mouth but stop little south west of the sea mouth. This area is known as* 9 Chilika Sea Mouth Beach.. The stretch of sand houses small sacks selling fresh seafood along with soft drinks and beer. Vendors also sell pearls straight out of oyster shells.
