West Bengal is an eastern Indian state stretching from the Himalayan foothills at Darjeeling to the mangrove delta of the Sundarbans. It combines the colonial heritage and literary culture of Kolkata with tea estates, terracotta temples, wildlife reserves and Bay of Bengal beaches.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in West Bengal.
-
- Busy family resort
- hotels at all price points
- seafood stalls
- pony and camel rides
- Marine Aquarium and Research Centre
- ATMs
Digha Beach
West Bengal's best-known sea resort, with a wide sandy beach, a long seafront promenade and many hotels; Old Digha's sand has eroded behind stone and concrete protections.
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekdays between October and March to avoid the heaviest crowds
-
- Quieter than Old Digha
- hotels
- Science Centre
- seafood stalls
- parking
- beach shacks
New Digha Beach
A newer and broader beach about 2 km from Old Digha, with a wider sand strip and fewer stone barriers.
Editor’s tip. Choose a weekday visit for the calmest atmosphere
-
- Calm and uncrowded
- limited beach stalls
- parking
- few lodges
Udaipur Beach
A quieter casuarina-lined beach east of Digha, popular with visitors seeking fewer crowds.
Editor’s tip. Hire a taxi or auto from Digha and agree a return time with the driver
-
- Fishing-village calm
- fishing harbour
- fresh seafood stalls
- homestays
- hotels
Shankarpur Beach
A working fishing harbour with a long beach where trawlers return at dawn, known for fresh fish and a slower pace than Digha.
Editor’s tip. Arrive at sunrise to see boats unload their catch
-
- Quiet and scenic
- resorts
- local seafood stalls
- parking
Tajpur Beach
A relatively quiet and undeveloped beach with casuarina groves, dunes and red crabs; popular with weekenders from Kolkata.
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekdays for the quietest experience
-
- Drive-on beach popular with weekenders
- resorts
- beachfront hotels
- restaurants
- vehicle access on the sand at low tide
- water sports (seasonal)
Mandarmani Beach
A long, firm sandy beach about 13 km in length where cars and motorbikes can drive on the sand at low tide; red crabs scurry across the sand.
Editor’s tip. Check tide times before driving on the sand and avoid it as the tide rises
-
- Peaceful weekend retreat
- hotels
- tourist lodges
- seafood stalls
- cycle rickshaws
- watchtower near Fraserganj
Bakkhali Beach
A long, clean beach with casuarina and coconut trees, with sunrise and sunset views and red crabs on the sand.
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekdays for the quietest beach
-
- Quiet and rustic
- watchtower
- mangrove patch
- limited lodging
- stalls
Henry's Island
A small island near Bakkhali with mangroves, a watchtower and a calm beach with a fishing-village feel.
Editor’s tip. Combine the visit with Bakkhali, which has the main lodging and food
-
- Pilgrimage destination
- Kapil Muni Temple
- dharamshala lodges
- tourist lodge
- seasonal pilgrim facilities
Gangasagar Beach
The pilgrim beach at the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal, where large crowds bathe on Makar Sankranti.
Editor’s tip. Allow a full day, as the bus, ferry and road journey is long
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Tajpur, Udaipur and Henry's Island offer calm shores with light crowds
Family
Family-friendly
Digha and Bakkhali have wider hotel choices and seafood stalls
Sport
Active & sporty
Mandarmani allows drive-on beach cruising and seasonal water sports
Social
Lively scene
Digha and Mandarmani fill up on weekends and during Durga Puja and winter holidays
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in West Bengal memorable.
Beach Drives and Walks
At low tide the packed sand at Mandarmani allows vehicles and long walks
Mandarmani, Tajpur
Seafood and Fish Markets
Fresh hilsa, prawns and pomfret at fishing harbours and stalls
Shankarpur, Digha
Red Crab Watching
Large numbers of small red crabs appear across the sand in the mornings
Bakkhali, Mandarmani, Tajpur
Marine Science Visit
A marine aquarium and research centre and a science centre near New Digha
Digha, New Digha
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
October to March for sea visits; monsoon (June-September) brings rough seas and cyclone risk
Getting there
Public beaches are free; swimming is dangerous at many beaches with strong undertow and tidal changes, so heed local warnings
On-beach facilities
Digha and Mandarmani have the most hotels and restaurants; Bakkhali and Tajpur offer fewer facilities
Costs to budget
Hotel rooms range from about ₹1,200 ($12.5) to ₹7,000 ($73) per night; beach pony rides and activities typically cost ₹100-500 ($1-5)
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about West Bengal’s coast.
How far is Digha Beach from Kolkata?
Digha is about 185 km from Kolkata, roughly 4 to 5 hours by road or direct train from Howrah.
From the Digha Beach editorial.
Is Digha Beach good for swimming?
The water is shallow and murky, and currents can be strong in places. Visitors should swim only in zones allowed by beach guards.
From the Digha Beach editorial.
How is New Digha different from Old Digha?
New Digha has a wider sand strip, fewer stone barriers and a quieter feel, about 2 km from the older, busier resort.
From the New Digha Beach editorial.
How do visitors get to New Digha?
Take a train from Howrah or a bus from Esplanade to Digha, then a local rickshaw or auto for the short ride to New Digha.
From the New Digha Beach editorial.
Where is Udaipur Beach?
It is in Purba Medinipur district, about 5 to 8 km from Digha, and is unrelated to Udaipur city in Rajasthan.
From the Udaipur Beach editorial.
How do visitors reach Udaipur Beach from Digha?
A taxi or auto takes about 15 to 20 minutes from Digha.
From the Udaipur Beach editorial.
How far is Shankarpur from Digha?
Shankarpur is about 14 km east of Digha, roughly 30 minutes by taxi or auto.
From the Shankarpur Beach editorial.
Is Shankarpur a typical resort beach?
No. It is a working fishing harbour with a long beach, known for fresh fish and a slower pace than Digha.
From the Shankarpur Beach editorial.