Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary

Located within the close vicinity of the Bhitarkanika National Park is Odisha’s only Turtle Sanctuary. A part of the Gahirmatha Beach, the Turtle Sanctuary is the place where one can spot Olive Ridley Turtles. Taking a boat ride across the river and gradually venturing into the wide sea is an experience ridden with sheer thrill and excitement. These turtles travel all the way from South Pacific Ocean to breed on the coast of Gahirmatha. About half a million of these species visit the beach every year for mating.
Extending from the mouth of the Mahanadi river in the south to the mouth of the Dhamra River in the north, Gahirmatha roughly covers an area of 1435 square kilometres. In an effort to conserve the smallest species of sea turtles, the Odisha government declared Gahirmatha to be a turtle sanctuary in 1979. Admire the pristine beauty of the Ekakula Beach as you spare some moments of solitude in this lonely island bereft of human intervention. Do remember to marvel at the Olive Ridley turtles and if you are lucky enough you can even watch them hatch eggs on the beach (for that you might have to venture into the beach at night). The vast expanse of the Gahirmatha beach is the best place to witness mass nesting, a phenomenon often termed as arribadas. A one of its kind sanctuary in Odisha and eastern India, Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary is has a lot of fascinating experiences on offer.