Odisha is noted for being home to around 100-odd endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. You can visit these dolphins at Satpada village near the Chilika Lake. Satpada (meaning a group of seven settlements in Odia language), is located around 50 km from Puri. At the Satpada Jetty, hire a boat that will take you to the blue expanse of the Chilika Lake, which houses the Sea Mouth Island on the point of its convergence with the Bay of Bengal. Spot Irrawaddy dolphins in the lake at Dolphin Point and then take a leisurely stroll at Sea Mouth island or bite into freshly fried fish and crabs at small kiosks. A day's trip is usually enough time to explore Satpada. Boating excursions from Satpada towards the Chilika Lake range from dolphin-spotting adventures to birdwatching to daylong outings where you can explore several islands. At Satpada village, you can visit the Chilika eco-park where visitors can find a 12-m-long whale skeleton on display. Apart from the Sea Mouth, islands like Nalabana, Honeymoon, Breakfast and Rajhans in the vicinity attract a large number of tourists as well.

Satpada is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds within the Indian subcontinent. During winters, finches come from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other parts of Russia, Ladakh and the Himalayas to take refuge. You can also visit the temple of Maa Kalijai, a boat ride away, or arrange canoeing and kayaking trips in Chilika Lake.