National park · India
Bhitarkanika National Park
Enter Bhitarkanika for a day of mangrove boat rides and wildlife spotting: pay the entry fee (≈ INR 200) and take a guided boat from Khola; best in Oct–Mar, avoid May‑Jul closure.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
approximate
Established
1998
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
- Includes mangrove forest, wetlands and marine zone (approximate).
- Established
- 1998
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Bhubaneswar
Bhitarkanika National Park protects a vast mangrove ecosystem in Odisha, offering boat tours to see salt‑water crocodiles, diverse birdlife and turtle nesting beaches; the park is closed 14 May–31 July, so plan visits for October‑March and bring a guide for boat routes and treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDesignated as a National Park by the Odisha Forest Department.
Size and age
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²) · national park since 1998
Includes mangrove forest, wetlands and marine zone (approximate).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Bhubaneswar.
Why go
- Mangrove boat tours reveal salt‑water crocodiles and abundant birdlife.
- Visit the crocodile breeding centre and the Bagagahan Bird Sanctuary.
- Explore remote islands and beaches such as Garhimatha (olive‑ridley turtle nesting).
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; turtle nesting.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife spotting.
- MarEnd of turtle season, pleasant.
- AprWarm, still dry.
- MayRoads close 14 May–31 Jul; limited access.
- JunPark closed; monsoon.
- JulPark closed; monsoon.
- AugPark closed; monsoon.
- SepRe‑opening; some trails wet.
- OctPost‑monsoon, dry and cool.
- NovDry, comfortable.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian salt‑water crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Olive‑ridley turtles (nesting)Jan–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Kingfishers (8 species)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| River dolphinsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bhubaneswar
Drive 150 km (93 mi) north to Khola; road good year‑round.Drive 93 mi (150 km) north to Khola; road good year‑round.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Cuttack
Drive 120 km (75 mi) north to Khola; about 3 h.Drive 75 mi (120 km) north to Khola; about 3 h.
3 h
From Kolkata
Train to Bhadrak (297 km (185 mi)), then road to Khola or boat from Chandbali.Train to Bhadrak (185 mi (297 km)), then road to Khola or boat from Chandbali.
6–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Khola entrance | Gate, visitor office, boat launch, crocodile breeding centre. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Bagagahan Bird Sanctuary | Wetland birdwatching area within the park. | Open; guided walks recommended. |
| Garhimatha beach | Olive‑ridley turtle nesting beach. | Seasonal access; no night stays. |
| Ekakula & Habalighati islands | Remote islands for day‑trips, beach and mangrove walks. | Boat only; guided tours. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate centre of the mangrove complex.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Khola gate) | INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4) | person | Covers boat launch; exact rate check. |
| Boat ride (Khola to islands) | INR 500–800 (≈ US$6–10) | person | Guided boat; price varies by operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Boat tour permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹200–300≈ US$3–4
- ₹500–800≈ US$6–10
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Boating only on designated routes
- Stay with guide; no independent kayaking.
- No littering or feeding wildlife
- Carry out all rubbish; do not disturb animals.
- No non‑vegetarian food consumption in core zones
- Only designated eateries allowed; check signage.
- Camping prohibited
- Stay in nearby resorts or forest rest houses.
Where to stay
Near the park
Estuarine Village Resort (Dangmal)
Basic rooms, meals, boat launch nearby.
Near the park
Forest rest houses at Dangamal, Ekakula, Habalighati
Budget dormitory‑style accommodation.
Safety
Crocodile encounters high
Monsoon flooding medium
Leeches on wet trails low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Khola gate reachable by car; short walks to boat launch.
- Boat tours have limited wheelchair access; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides who follow permitted boat routes.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from mangrove wood.
- Stay in eco‑friendly resorts that manage waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bhitarkanika National Park?
Entry is about INR 200–300 per person; boat rides cost an additional INR 500–800. Exact rates should be confirmed at the Khola gate.
What are the best hikes in Bhitarkanika National Park?
Guided mangrove trail from Khola to Ekakula (3–4 h) and the island‑hopping trek to Habalighati are the main hikes; both require a local guide.
When is the best time to visit Bhitarkanika National Park?
October to March offers dry weather and turtle nesting; the park is closed 14 May–31 July, so avoid those months.
Can I see salt‑water crocodiles?
Yes, the breeding centre at Khola and river stretches host many crocodiles; keep a safe distance on boats.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby resorts or forest rest houses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go