The Digha beach may be the most popular sea beach in West Bengal, but the state offers tourists plenty more. There are several beaches on the Bay of Bengal, edging Purba Medinipur district and the deltaic region of South 24 Pargana district one can visit when visiting the state. Here are the best five sea beaches you can’t miss when visiting West Bengal:
Digha Sea Beach
The most popular sea resort of West Bengal, Digha sea beach can be reached by road (less than 200km) and rail (less than four hours’ journey) from Kolkata, which is also the nearest airport. Do not venture beyond the popular bathing zones of Digha beach as some areas are prone to quick sand. Souvenir stalls and food shacks line the old beach front. In the evening, you can enjoy crisp fried sea food off the wok. Move to New Digha if you want to avoid the crowd. Apart from the sea beach, other popular tourist attractions in Digha are the landscaped Biswa Bangla Park, especially when lit up in the evening; the promenade on the beach; Marine Aquarium (closed on Tuesdays), the Digha Science Centre and the Amaravati Park. Hotels aplenty but advance booking is recommended.
Mandarmani
Mandarmani is the next popular sea resort of West Bengal, right next to Digha beach. Watch the red crabs playing on the hard sand beach washed by the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal. Hotels and
luxury resorts stretch along the town-side of the beach. It is around 30km by road from Digha beach and nearly 170km from Kolkata.
Tajpur
About 170km by road from Kolkata, Tajpur is for those who want to stay away from the crowded Digha sea beach. The luxury resorts are set back from the beach, which gives you an opportunity to take short walks in between long hours of siesta. You may also avail the adventure sports opportunities; but do check if they are licenced operators and have all safety measures in place.
Bankiput
Bankiput is yet to find a place among the popular beaches of West Bengal but you can easily visit it from its better-known neighbour Junput, where you will find a state fisheries museum. Digha sea beach is about 40km away. Kolkata is 145km by road. You may also make an excursion to the Dariapur Lighthouse and the fishing harbour where the Rasulpur River meets the Bay of Bengal.
Bakkhali
Bakkhali, about 132 km south of Kolkata, is a popular beach town very different from Digha beach. Located at the edge of the mangrove forests of the Sundarban, in the deltaic region, the water may appear muddy at times. Lying in the inter-tidal zone, the beach offers an insight into the local marine fauna. Basic accommodation. Frazergunge, located near Bakkhali, sports a seven km long tranquil beach at the edge of the fishing village. From here, you may take boat ride to the Jambu Dweep, an island popular with birders, especially in winter. The watch tower at Henry’s Island offers a panoramic view of the countryside and the sea.