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August is a rewarding time to explore Odisha for anyone seeking a blend of heritage, nature, and seasonal charm. With rivers at their fullest and forests refreshed by monsoon rains, many places to visit in Odisha in August offer striking views and quieter surroundings. Unlike peak tourist months, August allows access to lesser-known spots while still being favourable for travel across most regions. From wildlife reserves and coastal towns to ancient temples and hill retreats, Odisha presents a balanced mix of experiences.
Places To Visit In Odisha In August
These places to visit in Odisha in August offer quieter trails, greener views, and fewer tourists. These destinations remain accessible and are especially suited for travel during this season.
1. Bhitarkanika National Park
Photo: Rupeshsarkar / Wikimedia Commons
Bhitarkanika becomes one of the most fascinating places to visit in Odisha in August due to the rise in tidal waters and the dense growth of its mangrove forests. The narrow creeks navigable by boat offer close encounters with saltwater crocodiles basking on muddy banks. The park also supports an impressive bird population during this time, including kingfishers, brahminy kites, and various migratory species. Wildlife photographers and researchers often visit in August to document reptile activity, which spikes with the onset of the rains.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (158.3 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Bhadrak (80 km)
Major Attractions: Saltwater crocodiles, mangrove forests, boat safaris, birdwatching, and trekking along tidal creeks
2. Puri
Puri stands out among the most visited religious places in Odisha in August, especially for those interested in experiencing its cultural rhythm just after the famous Rath Yatra. The crowds begin to thin by mid-August, but the spiritual atmosphere around the Jagannath Temple remains active with daily rituals and monsoon temple processions. The beach sees high tides, but it’s accessible and vibrant, with local fishermen returning to work and open-air stalls selling freshly caught prawns and crabs. Visitors often explore Swargadwar for its historic cremation ground and small shops offering temple souvenirs and sweets like khaja.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (60 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Puri
Major Attractions: Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach, Gundicha Temple, Chilika Lake (Satapada), Rath Yatra remnants
3. Chilika Lake
Photo: Abishek K / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Among the most rewarding places to visit in Odisha in August, Chilika’s Satapada region offers a mix of calm water journeys, rare wildlife sightings, and close interaction with coastal life. The lake expands with the monsoon, and early morning boat rides become smoother and more immersive as water levels rise. Irrawaddy dolphins are often spotted in this part of the lake, especially when accompanied by local guides who know the right channels. While migratory birds don’t arrive until winter, native species like moorhens, herons, and kingfishers are easy to spot around the marsh edges.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik Airport (90 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Balugaon (49 km)
Major Attractions: Irrawaddy dolphins, boating tours, Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Kalijai Island, and island hopping
4. Similipal National Park
Photo: Sreejeetmaity1998 / Wikimedia Commons
Similipal in August is a living rainforest, drenched, quiet, and rich with scent. This is the season when the park’s sal trees thicken into a canopy, and waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda pour with full force from the cliffs. Not every area is open during peak monsoon, but key routes around the buffer zones are still accessible for safaris and short forest walks. Travellers often base themselves near Chahala, where guided treks offer the chance to spot elephants or peacocks moving along the trails.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (180 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Baripada (10 km)
Major Attractions: Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls, Royal Bengal tigers, dense forest treks, tribal culture exposure
5. Gopalpur-On-Sea
Photo: Nakkeeran Raveendran / Unsplash
Gopalpur-on-Sea is among the most atmospheric places to visit in Odisha in August, especially for travellers who prefer coastal towns with fewer tourists and uninterrupted sea views. Local fishermen continue their routines, bringing in catches that often end up in the small eateries just behind the promenade. The old lighthouse, once part of a busy port, remains open for visitors and gives a sweeping view of the sea and town, particularly striking under clouded skies. Short auto rides from here take you to the Taratarini Temple, perched on a hill and popular with pilgrims even during the rains.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (160 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Berhampur (16 km)
Major Attractions: Gopalpur Beach, lighthouse views, seafood trails, and nearby Taratarini Temple.
6. Daringbadi
Photo: Jovyn Chamb / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Daringbadi is one of the places to visit in Odisha in August if you’re looking for cooler weather and fewer tourists. The hill station stays under cloud cover for much of the month, with steady rain keeping the temperature mild. Pine forests line the main roads, and the surrounding plantations produce coffee, turmeric, and black pepper, all of which benefit from the monsoon. Rain can be heavy at times, but most of the area remains accessible, including the main market, homestays, and forest paths.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (200 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Berhampur (125 km)
Major Attractions: Pine forests, coffee gardens, Putudi waterfall, hill views with misty weather in monsoon.
7. Konark
Photo: Aliva Sahoo / Wikimedia Commons
Konark remains one of the most significant places to visit in Odisha in August, especially for those interested in architecture and heritage. The Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands at the centre of the town and remains open through the monsoon. Rainfall intensifies the temple’s colour contrast, with the laterite stone appearing richer under overcast skies. Carvings on the structure, including wheels, dancers, and deities, are best viewed in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer. Guided tours run as usual, and ticket counters, restrooms, and other facilities are maintained during the rainy season.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (65 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Puri (35 km)
Major Attractions: Konark Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga Beach, ASI Museum, Sound and Light Show.
8. Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Photo: Hrishikesh Gangoli / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Satkosia is among the varied places to visit in Odisha in August for those interested in wildlife, forest landscapes, and river ecosystems. The monsoon transforms the Mahanadi gorge into a wide, flowing channel surrounded by thick, rain-fed forests. Boat rides through the gorge are still allowed in most parts, depending on river conditions, and they offer chances to see gharials, turtles, and river birds. The forest is dense during this time, but guided nature walks near the eco-tourism zones are possible and often more rewarding than jeep safaris.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (120 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Angul (45 km)
Major Attractions: Mahanadi Gorge, boat safaris, tiger and elephant sightings, camping on sandbars.
9. Hirakud Dam
Photo: Sidhant Suvagiya / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Hirakud Dam is one of the impressive places to visit in Odisha in August, built across the Mahanadi River. The dam stretches for more than 25 kilometres and creates a massive reservoir that dominates the region’s landscape. In August, the floodgates are sometimes opened to release water, and this draws steady local interest. Visitors often climb the Gandhi Minar for a clear view across the reservoir, which appears endless under thick, moving clouds. Most people come here to watch the dam in action or spend time near the water.
Nearest Airport: Jharsuguda Airport (65 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Sambalpur Junction
Major Attractions: Asia’s longest earthen dam, boating, wildlife at Debrigarh Sanctuary, Gandhi Minar viewpoint.
10. Chandipur Beach
Photo: Nikhil V / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Chandipur Beach is one of the more unusual places to visit in Odisha in August. The shoreline is known for its disappearing sea. During low tide, the water pulls back several kilometres, exposing wide stretches of seabed. This continues through the monsoon, and in August, the retreat and return of the tide remain visible each day. The beach looks different during this season. People walk far out into the open seabed to watch small crabs and fish left behind before the tide returns.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik (200 km)
Nearest Railway Station: Balasore (16 km)
Major Attractions: Vanishing sea phenomenon, quiet beach walks, integrated test range observation point, Panchalingeswar Temple.
Odisha in August brings more than summer relief—it unveils lush landscapes revived by monsoon rains, vibrant rivers, and deep green forests. Many destinations remain accessible, offering unique experiences like disappearing coastlines, full rivers, and rain-washed heritage sites. Whether you seek a peaceful hill escape, a wildlife adventure, or a temple trail, August is ideal. Plan your Odisha journey with TripXL for the most authentic monsoon travel experience this season.
Cover Photo: Dilip Poddar / Unsplash
