Dagara Sea Beach

Odisha, India

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Dagara Sea Beach is a tranquil, offbeat beach on the Bay of Bengal in Baliapal, Balasore district, Odisha, known for its unexplored charm, soft silvery sand, vast casuarina forest lining the shoreline and being one of the few beaches in Odisha where both sunrise and sunset can be witnessed over the sea.

It’s nicknamed the “Red Carpeted Beach of Odisha” because millions of red shy ghost crabs cover the sandy beach during early morning hours, creating a striking natural carpet, and it’s also home to abundant sea birds such as plovers and gulls, often outnumbering visitors. The beach remains relatively uncrowded compared to popular Odisha beaches like Puri or Konark, making it ideal for quiet walks, picnics, beach volleyball, photography and observing local fishing with small boats alongside the local fishing flock.

Located about 60–64 km from Balasore city and 260 km from Bhubaneswar, with the nearest town being Baliapal (20 km away), Dagara is a great weekend destination for travelers from Kolkata (roughly 230 km) and is promoted through the annual Dagara Beach Festival that attracts thousands and showcases classical dance and performing arts.

The best time to visit is during winter, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and while lodging at the beach itself is very limited with only a few basic hotels and nature camps, visitors often stay in Balasore, Chandipur or Digha and take a day trip.