Kalipur Beach and Craggy Island

About Kalipur Beach and Craggy Island

Kalipur beach lies behind the tranquil village of Kalipur, and can easily reached by taking a local bus from the main Diglipur bazaar. Primarily known for turtle nesting, it is one of the few beaches in the world, where four species of sea turtles (Olive Ridley, Leather Back, Hawksbill and Green Turtles) come to nest their eggs.
For this purpose, the government has built a hatchery there and if lucky you can witness both turtles laying their eggs (late at night) or baby turtles being set free into the sea (early morning).
The beach has volcanic grey coloured sand and crystal clear water. This makes it perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Unfortunately there are sand flies so sunbathing is not advisable. During low tide the beach looks sullen with dead corals breaking the surface and some mangrove trees embracing the shore. There have been rumours of saltwater crocodiles wandering around the area but none have been spotted for a while. Jellyfish are also found in abundance.
Another popular spot for tourists staying at the nearby resorts is visiting the tiny Craggy Island located just a 20 minute swim away from Kalipur beach. One can have a great time simply sun bathing or snorkelling in its crystal clear waters. The reefs adjacent to the beach (about 200m north of Kalipur Beach) and particularly the reefs at Craggy Island are still lively, with plenty colourful fish and sea creatures. It is a wonderful sight of the rich underwater world for nature lovers. Please note that snorkelling here without an expert of proper equipment can be dangerous. One must also thoroughly know the tide timings before they plan a visit.