Gopalpur pristine beaches and relaxed atmosphere in Odisha

Gopalpur-on-Sea is a charming beach town located on the eastern coast of India in the state of Odisha. It’s known for its pristine beaches, tranquil surroundings, and rich history. Here are some key highlights

Beaches: The main attraction of Gopalpur-on-Sea is its beautiful beach with golden sand and gentle waves. It’s an ideal destination for relaxation and enjoying the seaside ambiance.
Historical Significance: Gopalpur was a bustling port during the British era, and remnants of its colonial past can still be seen in the architecture and layout of the town.
Lighthouse: The historic lighthouse at Gopalpur is a prominent landmark and offers panoramic views of the coastline and the town.
Cuisine: Seafood is a specialty here, with various local dishes prepared from freshly caught fish and other seafood items.
Activities: Apart from relaxing on the beach, visitors can indulge in water sports such as swimming, surfing (during the right seasons), and boat rides.
Local Culture: The town has a unique blend of local Odia culture and influences from its colonial past, making it a fascinating place for cultural exploration.

If someone looking forward to enjoy a few tranquil moments away from the noise and worries of this world, then Gopalpur-on-Sea is your perfect destination. Located 16 km away from Berhampur and about 190 km from the capital city Bhubaneswar, Gopalpur-on-Sea is one of the most pristine beaches of Orissa. The auburn sand beneath the clear sky, the limitless blue sea glistening with bright sunlight, clusters of coconut and palm trees, the dense stretches of casuarina plantations account for a picturesque setting of the place.

Gopalpur is a standing witness to Orissa’s ancient maritime glory. The crumbling walls and remains of an ancient jetty speak volumes about the vibrant sea-trade carried out from the Gopalpur Port in the past. The old lighthouse, which used to guide the ships to the shore at one point of time, still stands there blinking over the changes that have taken place all these years.

Sunrise and sunset at the Gopalpur beach are simply spectacular. The evening sun descends down the sky spreading a crimson colour all over and slowly disappears behind the horizon only to rise with a renewed vigour next morning. The blue waves of the sea rising and falling in rhythm, the roars of the waves cutting through the deep silence of the place, the fishermen busy in their day- to-day activities infuse life into this unique beach.

The flawless natural beauty, scenic surroundings, well-maintained

accommodation units and the hospitable people living around the area make Gopalpur-on-Sea a sought after destination on every tourist itinerary. A holiday at Gopalpur-on-Bea promises a calm and enduring experience with its enchanting beauty and admirable hospitality.

Day trips can be made to a few places of interest around Gopalpur.

Berhampur (16 km) Famous for silk sarees and horn toys, Berhampur is an important commercial town of South Orissa. With a vast array of Orissan handloom and handicraft products, Berhampur provides an ideal market for shopping.

Taptapani (65 km) The hot sulphur spring with medicinal properties is the prime attraction of this place. Besides, being situated in the midst of nature surrounded by lush green forests, Taptapani is a favourite tourist destination. The OTDC run Panthanivas provides a perfect accommodation facility.

Mahuri Kalua (30 km) Enroute to Taptapani, Mahuri Kalua is another scenic spot. The shrine of Goddess Kalua adorns the place.

Patisonapur (30 km) A virgin beach far from the noise and crowd of the city, down south of Gopalpur, across the river Bahuda offers peace and tranquility to all the visitors going there seeking some relaxation.

Taratarini (30 km) The shrine of the Twin Goddess Taratarini atop a hill on the bank of

Other Destinations

River Rushikulya near the village Purushottampur, amidst natural beauty draws a number of tourists to this place. The shrine is considered to be a Shakti Pitha of Tantra Cult. A flight of about one thousand steps as well as a pucca motorable road connects the hilltop with the foothills.

Jaugarh (35 km) The Ashokan rock edict found here proves beyond doubt that it was an important centre of Buddhist activities during the Ashokan period.

Rambha (45 km) Located along the vast Chilika Lake, Rambha is famous for its scenic beauty. Some of the captivating islands of Chilika like Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island are within close proximity to Rambha and a boat ride from Rambha to these islands could be a thrilling experience. OTDC runs a Panthanivas adjacent to the lake.

Aryapalli (16 km) A quiet and charming beach by the blue sea, Aryapalli is a haven for the nature lovers.

Ghodahada (60 km) An exciting picnic spot with the Ghodahada dam & reservoir. The shrine of Ujjaleswar is just 4 km away from this place. The place is frequented by picnickers round the year.

Rushikulya Muhana (20 km) An ecological site, where river Rushikulya meets the Bay of Bengal. Known as the Rushikulya Muhana, it acts as the mass nesting ground for the Olive Ridley Turtles who come here in large numbers every year during winter. The Olive Ridleys mate in the offshore waters and come ashore for laying eggs. After 7-10 weeks, the eggs hatch and the young Ridleys march towards the vast ocean to begin their life cycle.

Tampara (15 km) Nearer to National Highway No.6, is the beautiful Tampara Lake. With gentle waves breaking on the shore, Tampara offers great avenues for water sports. One can also take a leisurely stroll through the vast stretches of cashew plantations along the shore. An exciting trek of about 2 km through these plantations leads to a virgin beach on the Bay of Bengal. A trip to Tampara is sure to be adventurous as well as pleasurable.

How to Reach

Air: Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar-180 km and Visakhapatnam-260 km. Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai. Other Airlines Indigo, have flights from different metropolis of the country to Bhubaneswar.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Berhampur (16 km) on the East Coast Railway served by a number of fast and superfast trains on Kolkata- Chennai route.

Road: Gopalpur is well connected by an excellent all-weather road which branches off from the NH-5 on the outskirts of Berhampur (16 km). Regular Bus services are available. Taxis and Auto-rickshaws are also available.