A hotspot of biodiversity, the area teems with hundreds of bird watcher and tourists who come here during the months of October to March to see over 200 species of birds from as far as Caspian Sea, Siberaia, ,Afganistan and the Himalayas. Besides the flamingo, siberan crane barheaded goose, openbilled stork, spoonbill, brahimny duck, wigeon, pintail, shoveller, white bellied sea eagle, brahminy kite, spotbilled pelican, ibis, stilt, heron, egret,avocet, gull, tern, king fisher etc the lagoon is home to many marine and freshwater fishes. The best place to view birds is from the Nalabana Island, now a sanctury and from Mangaljodi, where one can get an amazing view of the scenery from the watchtower. As opposed the Satapada island is the best place to see the dolphins.
Boating is the best way to explore the islands. The OTDC and several private players ply their boats & you can hire licensed boats at Barkul, Satpada, Balugaon, and Rambha. You can also take a ride from a fisherman who very often also doubles up as a guide.
Other attractions within the lagoon:
Kalijai Island : The Island of Kalijai is famous as a center of religious worship due to the temple of Goddess Kalijai. There is an interesting story behind the temple. As per the story, Kalijai was a young girl who died while crossing the lake to go to her husband‘s house. Following her death, a temple was built in her honor and it’s a ritual for every fisherman who passes through the island to their homage to her in the hope that she will protect them from the storms and currents.
Rambha: Located at the southern end of the lagoon, Rambha with its beautiful Islands makes and ideal picnic spot. 3 kms from the Rambha Panthanivas is Becon Island where one finds a conical pillar and a small room constructed on a submerged mass of rock near the Ghantasila hill. This architectural marvel it is said was built for Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector of the East India Company who used to sit there and do his office work while admiring the beauty of nature.
Breakfast Islands: Also known as "Sankuda (shank) island" because of its pear shape, the island has a number of rare plants and a dilapidated bungalow constructed by the then King of Kalikote.
Honeymoon Islands/ Barkuda Island : 5 kms from Rambha and a great site for picnic, the water here is a mixture ofred and green on account of the algae that grows below. The rare lizard Barkudia insularis is a resident of this island.
Somolo and Dumkudi: Inundated remants of the Eastern Ghats and rich in flora and fauna, the Khalikote hill range forms a scenic backdrop.
Bird's island: is 4 Kms away from Rambha , the island has some rare with herbs, shurbs, trees and creepers. The isalnd uniqueness lies in its white granite rocks which are a result of bird droppings.
Parikud and Malud: Ideal spots fro teh bird watchers during the winter.
Satapada: 55 kms from Puri and located on the eastern shore of the lake, Satapada bounded on the three sides by the lagoon provides a safe haven to the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins who can be seen frockling around. Temples dedicted to Varuna (Barunkuda) ,a local deity (Nabagraha) and Chourbar Shiva temple are located nearby. However, of special interest is Manikpatna which has a temple dedicated to Shiva (Bhabakundeswar temple) and a mosque whose entrance is made from the jaws of a whale!