Located 45km southwest of Puri, this lake is known for the many birds that migrate here in December and January, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, and ospreys. The lake is about 75km long and 15km wide, and is separated from the sea by a thin sand bar. There is a Kali temple on Kalijai Island.

From the boat jetty in Balugaon, visitors can rent a boat to Kalijai Island (2-hr round trip) or Nalabana Island (4-hr round trip), to visit the bird sanctuary.

Where to Stay 

Yatri Niwas, Satapada, 45km from Puri, has good, inexpensive rooms. There are several buses from Puri to here.

Tourist Bungalow at Balugaon, 5km south of Barkul, has poorly maintained rooms for Rs 400 and Rs 600 with A/C. You should bring mosquito repellent, as the mosquitoes can be vicious. To get to this place, take a bus to Barkul and a rickshaw from there.

There is an OTDC bus coming here directly from Puri. You can rent a boat here.

Tourist Bungalow, near the railway station at Rambha, has rooms with bath and a balcony overlooking the lake for Rs 250 and Rs 500 with A/C. You can rent a boat here to go out onto the lake. The hotels in Balugaon are near the railway station.

Satapada Panthanivas (0674 432-177), on the shore of the lake at Satapada, 55km south of Puri. It has good, clean rooms for Rs 200.