The private beach at Balukhand - Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
The calm enthralling view
We have gone through the Marine Drive many times, but little did we realize there is a beautiful beach that feels like a private beach with very less crowd. We got to know about this beach, when we were at Toshali Sands, they call it a private beach, but it actually belongs to the department of Forest and anyone can go inside by buying a ticket there at just twenty rupees. The hotel gave us a coupon to show it to the official checking at the entry point, so we did not have to pay anything, but one has to pay in cash, so it's advisable to carry such change. The beach is part of Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary spreading over an area of 87 km². There is a Nuanai nature camp inside it as well, the place is worth for a one day visit.
The kids were very excited to visit a sea beach after two years, one has to walk almost half a mile from the parking point, but once you see the sea in front, you literally forget the distance.
The hotel has put some staffs with these chairs and umbrellas to take care of their tourists, but if its not crowded, then they won't mind sharing that with you. We were told there is a changing room but the staffs denied saying it was broken sometimes back. I wish, the government should have made some better facilities and promote such a lovely beach, by charging a little more as well. A rest room and a changing room are must to have , with snacks and beverages as nice to have. So if you are planning to go there, be prepared to carry everything that you need, and come back wet and change somewhere else. Unfortunately we realized only after we got wet.
Kids were initially reluctant to go inside, and get completely wet. There was a big log lying there, and I thought, it would be nice to take some pictures as the water was approaching just near it.
The lady could not stop and came for a picture and then my son followed. Little did he know that this time he will not be spared. It was so much fun to see his reactions.
Once they were wet, they did not hesitate to get wet completely. My son even tried to sit on the log alone and see what happened :)
It's definitely risky to leave small kid sitting alone because the water will take the log inside when the current flows back. But I know he was heavy enough :) , I did not let my daughter sit alone.
The beach is closed before evening because there are some wild animals that may cross your path if you stay late. So those staffs warned everyone to leave soon. I talked to him if they have any other facilities and he said, they can take people inside using a big tyre if one goes in the first half. But that is scary, isn't it ? After speaking to us, he showed interest to do our photo shoot - he told he has learnt to take some great photographs. The first picture and all of the below were taken by him.
We all walked back together and I was advising him to have bottled drinking water at the beach side and the answer surprised me - they have drinking water buried under the sand and they give it if someone asks and the amount of water stored is no less than 100 liters - someone even can bathe.
I thought, it was worth taking a photograph of him and know more about him.
He has three working sons and they ask him to quit the job, but this man does not want to quit his passion. He comes from the city, by cycle covering a distance of 12 km at one side and is a cameraman, a lifeguard, a swimmer.....He requested us to come early another day.
This post will be part of my Google review of this place.
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Me encanta el mar y sus fotos quedaron maravillosas con su familia. Saludos desde Venezuela. 🌿☀️🇻🇪
Wow you guys really had fun at the beach and I love every photos you shared especially the sunset photography is really awesome and nice.
Wow, those are lovely family photos in the beach. I really enjoyed watching them especially the ones you guys stood behind the sunset.
That person took these photographs, I was surprised with his skills.
Yeah, that's because you haven't seen his previous photographs. Well, you said earlier he loves taking photos and I could see that's one of his talents.
I hope you really enjoyed the place.
Cheers!
This is nice. The beach is so clean and refreshing. The photos especially the sunset so beautiful. The main thing is you all enjoy it !
It has lot of potential to be promoted for tourism but seems, the forest department is a bit conservative for crowd.
These photos look really great and I'm kinda jealous. I haven't been to a beach before and but I do have it on my bucket list for my plans this year. You have a beautiful family and the sunset made the pictures look magical.
Now that things are opening up, we are planning to have some trips in nearby areas. Travel relives a lot of stress.
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There was silence on the beech. A sense of being the only people there. Beautiful beach and silence two birds with one stone.
You mean healthy right?
Ya, I meant healthy :)
Looks like a great time 🌊
Seems like Balukhand Konark wildlife sanctuary really cool place for spend fun time. Guys we can see how you all enjoyed very well in this beautiful beach area. Especially very well suited for look sunset since beach.
That could be. According to wildlife officer in Sri Lanka I have heard many of wildlife start walking among after 4 pm. Then I explored wildlife animal's walking path since middle of the national park.
Did you cross the path any time ?
Yes. Before 7 years I stayed wildlife officer's hostle located middle of the Yala national park. Then I could see how leopard's hunted innocent dear as well as walked of wild bear among the natural road.
And it did not scare you ?
Nope. Because experienced wildlife officer stayed with my friends. He knew how our team protect from those dangerous animals.
Always be happy with your family. You have done great photography on the beach. I love going to the beach.I used to go to Hawke's Bay beach in Karachi every day. It was located 200 yards away from my room
That's quite close - should be fun to spend some time every day and relax.
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Wow what a trip my friend.
I never made it to the beach when I was in the region years ago and now I have! I think the funniest part for me is watching the tide slowly approach the log in each of the pics, and wondering who will be the first to get swamped. That big wave was the best.
Awesome adventure to share once again.
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It was so much of fun to see his reactions :)
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BEER.Looks like you and your family had a lovely day at the beach. Very good.
Ya, it was our first beach visit after two years, some food and beverages would have made it better, but then you won't get the calmness.
Next time, remember to bring a picnic basket. 😊
True, I have already added to my to do list :)
The photos see clearly show that you had fun with your family. They have a really small crowd. so you can stay as your please. It's worth it. Because mental freedom is valuable.
Next time we plan to go there, taking some snacks with us :)
That´s one of the drawbacks of big countries, even if you have a coast, it can take hours of driving to the beach from the inland :D But you guys look very happy in the photos, I am sure you had a blast over there :) Btw very good timing with the pictures of your son getting hit by the waves :D So you didn´t go for a swim? It´s not common in your country that people swim in lakes, rivers, in the sea etc? I know that in some countries, most people cannot actually swim. How is it in India?
I don't know swimming :) And even if I had, I would not dare to swim in the sea :) In India, most people in rural areas know swimming, because they take bathe in lakes, rivers - but our kids are not exposed. The only way to learn swimming is in their school or any pool, Covid closed everything, so they have not practiced it since last 2 years, and it is definitely risky to leave them to swim, given that I cannot help them any way.
I see. That´s interesting. I think the ability to swim is something you cannot really forget or lose so your kids should be fine as long as they could swim before the pandemic. But I uderstand your point of view of course ;) So would you say that most people in India cannot swim? I know that some traditional Hindu rituals take place in rivers so I thought that most people over there can swim...
Most of the people can swim but those who live in such areas where they take bath in lakes or rivers. Unfortunately, our kids have not been exposed to those natural pools :) Blame us.
Do they offer lessons for adults there (once the pools re-open)? I ask because, on the one hand, it might feel a bit embarrassing to learn to swim as an adult, but on the other hand, it is fun and good exercise. I am not a person who really enjoys exercise, but I love to swim. I don't think I am particularly good at it -- I am slow and my shoulder is bad, so I havd to modify the movements -- but, to me, it is a great joy!
Here, they offer "terrified beginner" lessons for adults, which I think is great. We are lucky because they already opened the pools here last summer although we initially had to prove vaccination to get in.
Well, we do have a swimming pool in my apartment, but its worse than a lake :) There are places where they offer courses for adult, but the commuting time is a overkill. Now that schools are open, I have very little time to spare for anything extra.
Well, that's certainly understandable. It is such a joy to me to swim that I imagine others would like it also.
Great moments beside coast with your family, it's an indescribable happiness when you touch waves.
About Covid, is the swimming atmosphere normal or has some restrictions?
Now there is no restriction, everything is now open.
I love going to the beach and capturing beautiful golden sunset scene with blue waves and sand. It's really amazing family moments
True, it energizes us for at least few weeks.
I love this post! You look so happy. It looks like such a nice day. We have no beaches here. A few lakes, but they are far and, even in the summer, the water is quite cold! I miss the beach and the ocean. This looks like a nice hidden gem.
Yes, I wish, they make this a better place, we do have a nice coastline, that has lot of potential for tourism. The govt is doing some improvements, but not to the fullest potential.
Maybe they will eventually do it. On the one hand, it is inconvenient to have to bring everything, but it seems nice to have the area to yourself and so unspoiled. Then again, I always prefer fewer people.
Next time, we will be better prepared for sure.
Hi @sanjeevm, it is such a blessing to be able to enjoy a day at the beach as a family.
Looks like you guys had a great time at the beach, what a lovely way to spend a day with the family
Ya, it was a lovely time spent, now that things are open, we are planning to go back soon.
Looks like a lovely spot!
With very less crowd, to spend some nice time.
All the scenes are looking good you have a nice family. For a father nothing is more delightful than to see his children growing up in front of him, Stay blessed.
Thank you so much.
Great family pictures Sanjeev. Looks like you enjoyed a lot. Personally I am a huge beach fan and this one looks quite clean. The sound made by the wind and these waves make the whole experience mesmerizing. The view is to die for. 🔥
Yes, we do have some beautiful beaches - secrets of Odisha - not promoted the way it should have been.
I know Orissa has some hidden beaches. Never been there but hopefully one day.... In India, I have seen the beaches of Goa and Mangalore and fell in love with them.
I had a friend named Sai who was a Telugu guy born and brought up in Puri, Orissa. We both were working in Hyderabad in an IT firm. He used to get us some yummy local sweets from his hometown and also told us about the beautiful beaches & hot tourist spots there.
It's always fun to visit a new place. It sure looked like you guys had a great day. Some of the pictures of you and the kids sitting on the log are funny.
Great camera work catching the sun setting and having it look like you are holding it.
Spending quality time with the family always makes for a great day!
Even sitting all of us could not stop the log moving back, when the wave was going back, it was so much of fun.
Lovely family time in these holidays, at least in Venezuela these days are holy for the resurrection of Jesus and stuff, so we see this week as a path to renovation and resurrection of our spirits, and a beach is a good place as any to do that, is so fulfilling to go to a beach in family, im glad you had a blast, bad is that there are no changing places but i guess that is the way things work :S
Next time, we will go in full preparation :)
I hope you guys enjoy it deeply as it seems like a great time to escape from the city and its lifestyle and connect a bit with mother nature.