Odisha: Chandipur Sea Beach, a Wonder of Nature Along Bay of Bengal.

It is something that has to be seen to be believed. The “receding sea” phenomenon is a wonder of nature in Odisha’s Chandipur sea beach along the Bay of Bengal.

The phenomenon at Chandipur Beach, where the sea only recedes by up to 5 kilometers during low tide, is unique. This beach is known for its mysterious disappearance for some time and reappearance, allowing visitors to walk on the revealed seabed. 

Chandipur Beach, in Balasore district of Odisha, is known for the ‘disappearing and reappearing act”, as recedes during low tide, exposing the seabed, and then returns during high tide. This continues for 4-5 hours every day.

A walk of around 5 km on the sea bed that wears a different colour and wears a surreal look is a delight.  Visitors from home and abroad enjoy the spectacle and carry back the remembrance of unbelievable tranquility and serenity emanating from the invisible deep sea.     

For new visitors, so far, there is no fear of being caught in the engulfing ocean because it recedes during low tide and comes back during high tide in a gap of a few hours. There is signage for all to read. 

Hundreds of visitors, nature lovers and photographers throng the beach every day. During the winters, the footfalls almost double.

The revealed sea bed turns totally slatey in colour when sunlight falls, the reflections creating a magical effect. 

There are many coastal areas in Odisha and India but this phenomenon at Chandipur is unique.

“For the curious ones, this phenomenon is mostly attributed to very strong tidal variations, although not tidal drifts. It draws a pronounced difference between both the tides”, Biswajit Mohanty, an environmental activist, told NewsClick. 

 This unique phenomenon is popularly known as the "Vanishing Sea". That the water can recede by so many kilometers manifests certain aspects that may be beyond human intellect, added Mohanty.

Why Does Sea Water Recede?

This daily receding and returning of sea water is a natural process. There is no fixed time for it as it depends on the moon cycle. It is caused by the cyclical change of tides, primarily influenced by the moon's gravity. 

Although, so far, there is no empirical study on this pattern. However, experts feel that “the pull of the moon's gravity and the sun's gravity on the Earth's oceans cause water to bulge out on both sides of the planet, creating high tides. The Earth's rotation also contributes to the cyclical nature of tides, resulting in two high and two low tides each day” Mohanty said.        

Some studies also reveal that the unique phenomenon of the sea receding significantly at Chandipur Beach in Odisha is primarily due to tidal fluctuations, specifically the ebb, which is the period between high tide and low tide.

During this time, the sea water retreats, sometimes by as much as a few kilometers, which is a common occurrence in many coastal areas, but Chandipur is known for its particularly dramatic recession, and a large area of exposed seabed for hours. 

The writer is a freelancer based in Odisha, with 40 years’ experience in the profession.