Puri Beach
The wide Golden Beach on the Bay of Bengal in Puri town, known for sand art, a Blue Flag certification and the annual Puri Beach Festival.
Overview
Puri Beach, or Golden Beach, is the main seafront among places to visit in Puri. It is free to walk on and best at sunrise.
Puri Beach, also called Golden Beach, runs along the Bay of Bengal at the edge of Puri town, about 2 km from the railway station by Wikipedia's account. It is both a holiday beach and a Hindu sacred place, and pilgrims often bathe here in the morning. The beach received Blue Flag certification on 11 October 2020 from the Foundation for Environment Education.
The site is known for sand sculptures, including work by local artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, and hosts the Puri Beach Festival each year. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation is listed as responsible for its management. Camel and pony rides, souvenir stalls and food vendors operate along the sand, and fishing boats are drawn up near the fishing hamlets.
Tides, currents and surf can be strong in the Bay of Bengal, so swim only in areas where lifeguards or local guides indicate it is safe, and avoid the water when flags or notices warn against it. Sunrise draws the biggest crowds. The beach is a short ride from the Jagannath Temple area, so many visitors combine them in one day.
Entry fees
Entry
All visitors
Public beach; no ticket known. No source stating free entry was found. Rides and stalls are charged by operators.
Free
Needs verification
Camel rides, boat rides and refreshments are charged privately; rates vary.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Opening hours have not been confirmed by a reliable source yet.
Open public beach with no gate; no official hours found.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- November to February
- Best time of day
- Sunrise or late afternoon
- How long to spend
- 1–3 hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Swim only where it is safe; heed warning flags and lifeguard advice
- Keep the beach clean
Location
Photos
The beach at Puri. Photo: Auli Raha (অলি রাহা) / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Visitors on the sand. Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Camel rides on the beach. Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Boats on the shore. Photo: Kritzolina / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Wide stretch of the beach. Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Does Puri Beach have Blue Flag status?
Wikipedia reports the Golden Beach at Puri was awarded Blue Flag certification on 11 October 2020 by the Foundation for Environment Education. Check whether it is currently active.
Is there an entry fee for Puri Beach?
None is known; it is an open public beach, although this was not confirmed by an official source.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not yet confirmed
- free access
- current Blue Flag status
Not available yet
- official hours or lifeguard timings
- Wikipedia – Puri Beach · Encyclopedia
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