Bhitarkanika is a national park in India's Odisha state (formerly Orissa).
It is off the beaten track, and offers sea, sand and adventure. The Bhitarkanika group of islands in northeastern Odisha offers great beaches, trekking trails through forests teeming with wildlife, and some thrilling boat rides.
Fauna species found in Bhitarkanika include: saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, kingfishers, several varieties of birds, pythons, monitor lizards, wild boar, hyenas, spotted deer, wildcats and jungle fowl.
Flora is in the form of mangrove species. There are over 60 varieties of mangrove species in Bhitarkanika, more than what you can find even in Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forests.
Best season: October–March Monsoons are just amazing here. Once access roads (under construction) are built, Bhitarkanika (on Dangmal side) can be a real good place to explore and enjoy monsoon. Boating in rivers in rain has its own joy.
The forest is closed from 14 May to 31 July. But the wide rivers are enough to keep you glued to place. Add some trekking by the side of mangrove forests spread in so many villages.
Bhitarkanika is beautiful even in summer. It should be explored not just as a place where you find crocodiles. It is almost like nature's paradise. It is quite, peaceful and so green. Above all, it is relatively less hot than other areas in Odisha. Evenings are soothing and pleasant.
Entrance fee for Indians ₹20/person and for foreigners ₹1000/person. If the number of foreigners is 10 or more in numbers, entrance fee per person for them will reduce to ₹200/person. Fee for still camera is ₹50. For video cameras the fee is ₹1000.
Bhitarkanika is home of India's largest remaining population of the endangered Indian salt water crocodile. Bagagahan Bird Sanctuary is a part of Bhitarkanika National Park. It is a home to so many bird varieties, some being rare. It is the only place where you can find eight varieties of kingfisher. Also keep an eye over large monitor lizards, pythons, hyenas, spotted deer and a lot of snake varieties. In winters you can spot river dolphins as well.
The beach, also known as Garhimatha, is famous as the nesting ground of Olive Ridley turtles. They are an endangered species, and wildlife conservationists have of late mounted special efforts to save from poachers the hundreds of thousands of turtles that land here every winter to lay eggs. The turtles, ancient creatures of the deep seas, have been homing in on remote Garhimata every nesting season (January–March) for perhaps thousands of years; it was only a few decades ago that the nesting ground was discovered by conservationists.
Go to Ekakula and Habalighati. Try some unexplored beaches in and around Bhitarkanika. Pentha village has one such beach. Hukitola is another unexplored area.
Go for nature treks.
Angling can be a real fun in this area for rivers in Bhitarkanika is full of fish varieties.
Bird watching can be real learning curve here for some rare varieties have made Bhitarkanika their home.
Do look for cycling in the countryside - an activity with lots of potentials here but something hardly anyone does here.
You can buy a pair of binoculars beforehand. Carrying binoculars with you can be a good idea if you want to catch a glimpse up close of the fauna, especially the wetland birds.
There is no need to carry your own provisions from Chandbali any more. Restaurant is available at Dangmal where you can eat. You cannot eat non-vegetarian foods here, nor can you drink here. Best bet is to eat at Riverine Resort. They can give you all sorts of foods - prawns, crabs, fish, chicken, eggs or lamb. They can serve you drinks too, but, of course, at a higher price!
Lots of coconut water. They are available here in plenty. You can drink lots of beer too!!
Make sure not to enter rivers. The only way you should enjoy rivers in Bhitarkanika is on boats. Do not cause any problems to wildlife - just enjoy them. Do not walk in those parts of forest where you are not allowed to walk. This can be dangerous. Follow the advise of your guide.
You can reach Bhubaneswar or Cuttack by road. For Kolkata you can take a night train from Cuttack. You can also catch train from Bhadrak.
In Odisha, you could visit the state’s famous ancient temples at the great heritage centres of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konarak.