Chandipur Beach: Where the Sea Disappears Every Day

Also called the ‘hide-and-seek’ beach, Chandipur Beach is a sprawling stretch of golden sand surrounded by Casuarina trees, pristine waters, and lush coastal vegetation. But a strange natural phenomenon occurs here every day. Believe it or not, the sea water recedes up to 5 kilometres (3 miles), twice a day during low-tide, leaving behind only the shells. The water returns during the high tide.

This extreme natural phenomenon has really enriched the biodiversity of sea creatures in the area. When the sea water re-appears, it brings along with it horseshoe crabs and red crabs, which otherwise live further from the beach.

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This phenomenon is thought to be unique to this beach. There’s no fixed time that the tide retreats, as it depends on the moon cycle, but it happens every day. Locals are familiar with the timings of the low and high tides.The sunrises and sunsets are particularly spectacular at this beach, whether the tide is in or out.

Another interesting fact about Chandipur is that it is home to DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization) Integrated Research Range, where ballistic missiles are test-fired.

Chandipur Beach is also a great place to try some lip-smacking fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants lining the beach.

Address: Chandipur Beach Rd, Chandipur, Odisha, India

Best time to visit Chandipur: November-March

How to reach Chandipur: Travel to Balosore via rail, then catch a taxi, auto-rickshaw or bus from the Balasore Railway Station, which is approximately 14 kilometres (8.6 miles) from Chandipur Beach. It will take around 35 minutes to reach the beach.