West Bengal is the only state in India where you will get both the Himalayan mountains and a long coastline. While Darjeeling is one of the most visited hill stations in the country, the sea beaches are not visited by many travellers who come to explore West Bengal. Although most of the 210 kilometres coastline consists of the Sunderbans, the remaining part has several seabeaches that attract local tourists every year. Few of the beaches are established tourist destinations while the rest are getting developed as new weekend getaways. Here are the 12 best seabeaches in West Bengal from which you can plan to explore a few on your next visit to the state.
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Digha
About
Digha is one of the most popular beach destinations in the state of West Bengal. Since it is 1st developed more than half a century ago under the leadership of the then Chief Minister of Bengal, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, Digha became the most sought-after weekend destination among tourists. The place was referred to in Warren Hasting’s letters as Brighton of the east. Although due to land erosion, a substantial part of the old beach vanished into the sea, the low gradient of the New Digha seabeach attracts many visitors for beach activities.
Location
Digha is located in the Contai sub-division in East Midnapur district in the southernmost part of West Bengal. The distance from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is nearly 180 kilometres which can be covered in a smooth 4-hour drive.
How to reach
Digha can be reached by road and rail. The road from Kolkata goes along NH6 until you have to take a left turn at Mechada and then drive on NH116 until Nandakumar, from where you have to take a right turn and drive Digha, which is at West Bengal – Odisha state border. You can move your own cab or hop into a bus from Esplanade Bus Stand in Kolkata, which will take nearly 5 hours to reach Digha, including a pit stop in Kolaghat.
The rail connection with Howrah and Santragachi (a suburb near Kolkata) runs via Tamluk. Several expresses and superfast trains connect the beach town with Kolkata everyday. The journey time is 3nad a half hours approximately.
Where to Stay
Digha has many hotels and old holiday homes to stay near the beach. If you are not akin to beach activities and more interested in enjoying nature from a distance, then Old Digha should be your place to stay. Whereas in New Digha you can have fun in the seawater and may engage in different beach activities in the seabeach.
Hotels in Old Digha
Hotels in New Digha
Activities to Do
- Sea-bathing
- Water scooter ride
- Inflatable motor boat riding
- Horse riding on the beach
Nearby places to see
- Udaipur sea beach (Time: in daylight)
- Talseri sea beach (Time: in daylight)
- Marine aquarium (Time: 9:30 am – 6 pm, Mon-Sat; Entry Fee: No)
- Amarabati Park (Time: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, all days; Entry Fee: ₹5/adult, no entry fee for children below 3 years, separate tickets for boating)
- Chandaneswar Temple
- Digha Mohona watchpoint and fish market
- Kajal Dighi Wonderland (Time: 9 am – 7 pm, all days; Entry fee: ₹5/person, separate tickets for boating and toy train ride)
- Digha Science Centre (Time: 9 am – 7 pm, all days; Entry fee: ₹15/person, separate tickets for Jurassic Park, Planetarium and Space and Astronomy show)
Mandarmani
About
Mandarmani is one of the favourite weekend destinations of city dwellers in Bengal. The 13 kilometres beach was once the longest drivable sea beach in India. It still attracts many visitors who want to spend 2 days relaxing under the tropical sun.
Location
Mandarmani sea beach is located near Dadanpatrabar village in East Midnapur district in West Bengal. The distance from Kolkata is nearly 180 kilometres, and from Digha, another popular beach destination is 20 kilometres.
How to reach
Mandarmani can be best reached by road. The beach driving that was fun while reaching the resorts in Mandarmani is prohibited now. And there is a road from the backside of resorts that will lead you to your hotel.
To reach Mandarmani, one has to take a bus towards Digha and get down at Chawalkhola, from where small shared vehicles are available to reach Mandarmani.
The nearest rail station of Mandarmani is Contai which comes in the Howrah-Digha route. Contai is 17 kilometres from Mandarmani, and you have to hire a cab from Contai to reach the seabeach.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
There are not much beach activities in Mandarmani. You can stroll on the beach, bathe in the sea and enjoy sunrise and sunset on the beach. Sun City Resort, one of the initial resorts built in Mandarmani, has a few fun rides and activities that guests staying in that hotel can enjoy.
Nearby places to see
- Dakshin Purushottampur
- Tajpur
- Shankarpur
- Digha
Read more: Best Sea Beaches in India (Part 1)
Tajpur
About
Tajpur is another sea beach in East Midnapur district in West Bengal. It is a relatively new sea beach. A large part of Tajpur is dedicated to pisciculture. There are huge fish ponds on both sides of the road. The beach is clean and home to many red crabs, which is also an attraction of this beach.
Location
Tajpur is also located in the East Midnapur district in West Bengal. It is close to Mandarmani beach and only separated by a creek. Every day, you will find locals who are crossing the river by their boats. A new bridge is being constructed over the river, and within a few years, tourists can easily access Tajpur and Mandarmani together.
How to reach
The road is the same as of Kolkata-Digha route. Tourists have to get down at Balisai, which comes after the Chwalkhola crossing. From Balisai. Tajpur beach is another 5 kilometres. Small cars and vans ply on this village road which is runs between large fish ponds.
The nearest railway station is Ramnagar which is 8 kilometres away from Tajpur.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Nature walk
- Enjoy fried fishes and crabs on the beach shacks
Nearby places to see
- Shankarpur
- Mandarmani
- Digha
Shankarpur
About
Shankarpur is another sea beach west of Tajpur. It is almost a continuation of Tajpur sea beach, and the new Tajpur – Shankarpur beachside road makes it easier for tourists to visit both places in one go. Shankarpur is the older part of the beach and eroded at most places due to high tide and climate change.
Location
Shankarpur is located 14 kilometres east of Digha in West Bengal. The distance from Kolkata is 180 kilometres and takes 4 hours to reach.
How to reach
Shankarpur comes on the way to Digha. You have to ride a bus that goes to Digha and get down at “14 Mile” or Ramnagar. From there, small cars are available for Shankarpur sea beach.
The nearest railway station of Shankarpur is Ramnagar. Ramnagar is 5 kilometres away from the sea beach.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Walk on the beach
- Driving on the new Shankarpur-Tajpur beachside road
Nearby places to see
- Tajpur
- Digha
- Mandarmani
Bakkhali
About
Bakkhali is one of the many deltaic islands in southern West Bengal near Sundarbans. The crescent-shaped beach is continuous with Frasergunj sea beach and a popular weekend destination for Bengalis. The beauty of this beach is during low tide; the water recedes a long way back. You can enjoy both sunrise and sunset on the beach.
Location
Bakkhali is located in the South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. The distance from Kolkata is 122 kilometres. One has to cross the Hatania-Doania river to reach the island.
How to reach
The new bridge over the Hatania-Doania river makes it easier for tourists to reach Bakkhali. When the bridge was not there, people have to cross the river by ferry from Namkhana; even buses and cars also cross the river by ferry. West Bengal State Transport Corporation (WBSTC) runs buses from Esplanade bus depot in Kolkata to Bakkhali. It usually takes five hours to reach Bakhali by bus from Kolkata.
The nearest railway station is Namkhana which is connected to Sealdah by trains via Kakkhikantapur and Kakdwip. From Namkhana, you have to cross the river and get a car or a bus from the other side of the river to reach the beach.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Have fun at the beach (not ideal for swimming)
- Take blessing at Bishalakkhi Temple
- Visit Crocodile Project and Deer Park in Bakkhali
- Go to Fraserganj fishing harbour in the morning
- Ride a boat to Jambu Dwip
Nearby places to see
- Fraserganj
- Henry Island
- Jambu Dwip
Fraserganj
About
Fraserganj is beside Bakhali, and the beach is continuous with Bakkhali sea beach. It is the same 8 kilometres stretch of sea beach that runs from Bakkhali to Frasergunj. The name Fraserganj came from Lt. Governor of Bengal Andrew Frazer, who built a bungalow near the beach nearly 100 years back. The bungalow is now in a dilapidated state and almost swallowed by the encroaching sea. But the beach lined by coconut groves and fishing boats became popular among city dwellers.
Location
Fraserganj is at 5 kilometres distance from Bakkhali and is on the same island as Bakkhali. One has to cross the Hatania-Doania river to reach there from the city.
How to reach
You have to take a bus to Bakkhali and get down in Fraserganj. You can also visit Fraserganj while visiting Bakkhali. A motorised van or an electric rickshaw called Totos locally will take you to Frasergunj from Bakkhali within 15-20 minutes.
Just like Bakkhali, the nearest rail station of Fraserganj is also Namkhana.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Watch sunrise behind the windmills on the beach
- Visit the local fish market and the fishing harbour
- Experience an adventurous boat ride to Jambu Dwip
Nearby places to see
- Bakkhali
- Henry Island
- Jambu Dwip
Udaypur
About
Udaypur Duttapur sea beach is another relatively new beach near Digha. Lined by casuarina plantations on the shore, this seabeach is perfect for tourists who want to avoid the crowd of Digha.
Location
Udaypur seabeach is 3 km west of Digha seabeach at West Bengal – Odisha border. Talsari, another adjacent beach to Udaypur, comes in the state of Odisha. The distance of Udaypur beach from Kolkata is 185 kilometres.
How to reach
You have to reach Digha by road or by train. And then hire a van from there to reach the beach.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Spend leisure time in Udaypur beach. Enjoy the sunrise.
- Walk on the small dunes in between casuarina plantations.
- Visit other nearby beaches like Digha, Talsari.
- Can visit Bichitrapur Mangrove Forest.
Nearby places to see
- Digha
- Talsari
- Bichitrapur
Sagardwip / Sagar Island
About
Sagar Island or Gangasagar is the southernmost part of West Bengal and a religious spot for Hindus. This island is situated where the river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. Every year during Makar Sankranti, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit this place on Gangasagar Mela’s occasion and take a holy bath in the sea. The difficulty of accessibility makes this place more attractive.
Location
The island is located at a distance of 135 kilometres from Kolkata. Although during Gangasagar Fair every year, the island gets flooded with pilgrims, during the rest of the year, it is a perfect place to visit and spend a day or two while enjoying the pristine beach and visiting the Kapil Muni Ashram to awaken your spiritual self.
How to reach
Reaching Gangasagr is a bit difficult. First, you have to reach Kakdwip or Namkhana by road or by train, and then from there, you have to go to Harwood Point or Lot number 8 jetty to catch a boat. The distance of Harwood Point from Kakdwip is 3 kilometres, and from Namkhana, it is 18 kilometres. You will get a shared cab from both places to reach the boat jetty. The boat will take you across the Muriganga river and drop you at Kachuberia. From Kachuberia, you have to take another bus to Sagar Island.
Where to Stay
- Kapil Muni Ashram
- Bharat Sevasram Sangha Ashram (Phone – 03210-240205)
- Youth Hostel
- Gangasagar Tourist Lodge (Phone – 03210-240010)
Activities to Do
- Take a holy bath in the sea.
- Visit Kapil Muni Ashram and Bharat Sevasram Sangha temple.
- Enjoy a panoramic view of the island from the lighthouse.
- Visit Onkarnath temple
Nearby places to see
- Bakkhali
- Henry’s Island
Henry Island
About
Henry’s Island is located inside Sundarbans delta, and tourists can see both sea beach and mangrove forest here. The island is named after a British surveyor who surveyed the land a century back. The place got popularity when State Fisheries’ Department opened a tourist lodge here. The road that connects the lodge to the Kolkata-Bakkhali Highway (NH117) is called Bernard Road that meanders through agricultural fields. The seabeach is another 10-minute walk from the tourist lodge.
Location
Henry’s Island is near Bakkhali and Frasergunj. The white sand beach is like a virgin beach that many tourists do not visit. It is nearly 120 kilometres and takes 3 hours to reach.
How to reach
If you have your own car, you can drive straight to the tourist lodge from the city. You have to cross Namkhana Bridge over Hatania-Doania creek and take diversion before reaching Bakkhali. If you go by a public bus, then reach Bakkhali and hire a Toto (electric rickshaw) from there to reach Henry’s Island in twenty minutes.
The nearest rail station is Namkhana. You have to cross the river and take a bus to Bakkhali from the other side. Then go to Henry’s Island by hiring a motorised van or a Toto.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Stroll on the white sand beach
- Climb the watchtower and see the mangrove forest from above.
- Visit the nearby town of Bakkhali and Fraserganj.
Nearby places to see
- Bakkhali
- Fraserganj
Mousuni Island
About
Mousuni Island is a new beach destination that gets popular among travellers for the last few years. Lonely sea beach, mangrove forests and a glimpse of rural Bengal make this destination the new sensation among young tourists.
Location
The island is situated between Sagar Island and the Bakkhali-Frasergunj zone. It is another island like Sagar Island that is situated at the mouth of the Ganges river. However, Baliara beach, the attraction of Mousuni Island, is on the other side of the island. The distance between Kolkata and Mousuni Island is 120 kilometres.
How to reach
The road is the same as the Kolkata-Bakkhali route till you reached the other side of the Hatania-Doania river after crossing it. You have to reach Durgapur Ghat, from where you need to take another ferry to reach Bagdanga Ghat in Mousuni Island. From there, you can hire a motorised van to reach your tent in Baliara Beach.
Where to Stay
Activities to Do
- Watch the sunset at the beach.
- Relax on a hammock in your camp.
- Walk through the village to get a glimpse of rural life.
- Bird watching near Kakramarir Chor.
Nearby places to see
- Bakkhali
- Fraserganj
Baguran Jalpai
About
Baguran Jalpai is another pristine sea beach in the East Midnapur district. The secluded seabeach with the sea’s vast expanse in front and the small waves touching your feet is perfect for your next weekend destination. Casuarina plantations line the shore, and you can see many fishing boats lying on the beach. A part of the beach appears almost red due to red crabs.
Location
Baguran jalpai comes under the Contai sub-division and is a distance of 160 kilometres from Kolkata. It is closer to Junput, which was once a popular weekend destination for city dwellers.
How to reach
You have to reach Contai first and then follow the road to Junput. Baguran Jalpai comes before Junput.
If you are going by train to Digha from Howrah or Santragachi, then get down at Contai station and hire a cab from there to reach your destination.
Where to Stay
- Hotel Sagar Niralay (Phone – 9434012200 / 8670547411)
Activities to Do
- Stroll at the beach.
- Take a few pictures of Red Crabs.
- Visit Junput seabeach and Dariapur lighthouse.
Nearby places to see
- Junput
- Bankiput
- Bargabhima Temple and Nachinda Temple on the way
Gobardhanpur or G-plot
About
Gobardhanpur, or the G-Plot sea beach, is the newest of all the all seabeaches in West Bengal. It is situated within the Sunderbans delta, and you had to cross many creeks to reach the place. This beach is claimed to be the most beautiful among all seabeaches in Bengal by travellers who visited the island.
Location
Gobardhanpur comes under Patharpratima block in the South 24 Parganas district. The beach in Gobardhanpur is 5 kilometres long. The distance between Kolkata and Gobardhanpur is little above 100 kilometres.
How to reach
You have to rach Patharpratima or Ramganga to catch a ferry to G-plot. Patharpratima and Ramganga are on opposite sides of a river. But reaching them, you have to take two separate roads from Kolkata.
For Patharpratima, you have to reach Kakdwip by bus from Esplanade or a train from Sealdah. From Kakdwip, you can ride another bus to Patharpratima or hire an auto-rickshaw to reach there in one hour.
For Ramganga, you have to reach Lakkhikantapur by bus or a train from Sealdah and then take another bus to Ramganga.
The ferry from Ramganga actually comes from Patharpratima and will leave you at Chandmari Ghat, which will be the last stop. Chandmari Ghat is on Gobardhanpur island. You have to take a van rickshaw from the Chandmari Ghat and reach your accommodation near the beach.
Where to Stay
G-plot does not have any conventional resort or hotel. There are basic accommodations run by locals that will be your only stay option on the island.
- Jhaumon Homestay (Phone – 9836830342 / 9831309512 / 6291377154)
Activities to Do
- Enjoy sunrise and sunset from the beach.
- Go for a walk in the village.
- Visit the nearest island in Sunderbans.
- Book a boat and visit Kalash Island and Bonnie Camp.
- Bird watching
Nearby places to see
- Kalash Island
- Bonnie camp
Book your trip: Resources
- Flight
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to book your flight.
- Accommodation
Booking.com and Agoda are perfect to book your hotel. If you want to stay in a hostel, then Hostelworld would be of great help in finding one at your convenience.
- Travel Insurance
World Nomads is perfect for travel insurance. You can get comprehensive protection with them. Let them take care of unexpected situations while you concentrate on your trip.
- Package Tour and Activities
You can book a package tour from G-Adventures and Viator. They are a reputed company in arranging small group tours and customise them as per your requirements. You can also use Get Your Guide or Klook to book your private transport, city tours, heritage walks, food walks and other experiences like a cooking lesson or a Yoga session.
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