Best Beaches in and Near Kolkata: A Local Guide
Need a beach day from Kolkata? Start here
September in Kolkata brings heat, humidity, and monsoon remnants—which is precisely why the beaches empty. The Bay of Bengal carries warnings from June through September, and you should heed them: don't swim, don't linger past sunset, and check tide times before driving on motorable beaches. But the sand stays open, the seafood trucks still run, and if you're driving early enough, you'll find stretches where you're alone.
This list ranks beaches by travel time from Kolkata, starting with the closest at 125 km and ending at the Odisha border. Five fall within three and a half hours by car; the farthest requires nearly six. All are reachable as same-day escapes if you leave by seven in the morning. September water is warm enough to wade in the shallows where it's safe; what you really come for is the drive, the open sky, and rice-flour-coated hilsa fish from a shack.
Water quality in the Bay of Bengal stays murky year-round—don't expect the Caribbean. Crowds spike on Saturday mornings and vanish by Monday. Facilities cluster around Digha and Mandarmani; the smaller beaches have one or two resorts and beachfront stalls selling fish and palm toddy. Book ahead on long weekends, carry cash, and respect the tides.
Bakkhali
Near Frasergunj, South 24 Parganas · Beach with ferry crossing and mangrove forest · 125 km from Kolkata, 3.5–4 hours by car including ferry
Bakkhali is the closest sea beach to Kolkata at around 125 km, but the journey is the most interesting because it includes a vehicle ferry crossing at Namkhana over the Hatania-Doania river. The southern edge of West Bengal, Bakkhali offers solitude amidst beauty, with soft sand and breathtaking views of Bay of Bengal. The near 7 km coastline is not just the most stunning view of the sea merging into the land but is also very sparsely populated. The sand of this pristine beach is white in colour and feather soft, with the sea forming beautiful designs on the sand during low tides.
Henry's Island
Via Bakkhali, South 24 Parganas · Beach with mangrove sanctuary and watchtower · 140 km from Kolkata, 3.5 hours drive plus local transport
Henry's Island is tucked 140 kilometers away from Kolkata's chaos, a tranquil escape. The main attraction of Henry Island is the beach adjacent to the Sunderbans, with a watchtower where you can climb and get the complete view of the island. White sand, clean, clear, long beach makes Henry Island a memorable visit. Staying options at Henry's Island are limited to a resort run by the West Bengal Fisheries Department.
Junput
Purba Medinipur district, near Contai · Serene beach with casuarina forest · 145–177 km from Kolkata, 3.5–4 hours by road
Junput Beach is renowned for its serene ambiance, solitary beaches, and tranquil waters, distinguished by the presence of Casuarina trees along the coastline. Junput is a less frequented beach perfect for a quiet retreat, known for its wide and clean sandy shores, with local fishing activities providing an authentic coastal experience. Brackish water fish cultivation and research are done here by the State Government Fisheries Department. The beach suits photographers and solitude-seekers over swimmers.
Baguran Jalpai
Contai subdivision, East Medinipur · Secluded beach with casuarina forest · 160 km from Kolkata, 4 hours by road
The place is located in Contai subdivision of East Mednipur, nearer to Bankiput, about 160 km from Kolkata. A relatively new entrant in the tourism map of West Bengal, Baguran Jalpai's virgin beauty offers perfect seclusion where you will feel like a castaway. The entire length of the golden beach is bordered with dense casuarina forest, with soft sand and rolling waves that will make you forget about all your worries. The only resort at Baguran Jalpai is Sagar Niralay, spread across a large area and a pleasant place to stay for one or couple of nights.
Tajpur
East Midnapore district, near Contai · Virgin beach with bird sanctuary · 170–180 km from Kolkata, 4 hours by road
Located about 180 km from Kolkata, Tajpur is a hidden gem with its pristine and less commercialized beach, an excellent spot for nature lovers and those looking to escape the crowds. Lush green Tamarisk and Casuarina trees cover the beachside, and the green forest beside a calm sea increases the beauty of the place and offers great visual pleasure. About 34 species of birds can be seen near Tajpur Beach. Tajpur has grown a cluster of mid-range resorts but still feels far calmer than Digha, suited for couples and photographers, with an early-morning red-crab walk and fish auction at the nearby fishing jetty.
Shankarpur
East Midnapore district, 14 km from Digha · Fishing harbor with casuarina grove · 175–177 km from Kolkata, 4 hours by road
Shankarpur is just a few kilometres from Digha (about 177 km from Kolkata) and is one of Bengal's largest fishing harbours, with a broad, clean and peaceful beach with rows of colourful fishing trawlers anchored offshore. Shankarpur is mainly credited for decreasing the crowd of Digha, boasting a wide and unspoilt beach, casuarina groves by the side of a gentle sea. It pairs well with Digha, you can stay in quieter Shankarpur and drive 15–20 minutes into Digha for the buzz; the seafood here is as fresh as it gets, straight off the boats.
Digha
East Midnapore district, New and Old Digha · Resort town with aquarium and water sports · 171–185 km from Kolkata, 3–4 hours by bus or car
Digha Beach, known as "Brighton of the East", is one of those closest beach destinations to Kolkata that one cannot afford to miss. It takes about 3 hours to reach Digha from Kolkata. The sea here is gentle near the shore, which makes Digha good for families with children; don't expect crystal-clear water, the Bay of Bengal off Bengal is muddy-grey, but the wide open beach, fresh fried fish and the sunrise are the real draws, with prawn and pomfret at the beachfront stalls. It can get crowded on weekends and holidays, but early mornings and off-season visits offer peace.
Mandarmani
East Midnapore district, Chaulkhola turnoff · Drive-in beach with red crabs · 180 km from Kolkata, 5–6 hours by road
Mandarmani is a seaside resort village at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal and is one of the longest drivable beach in India. Mandarmani boasts of a 13 km long motorable beach, perhaps the longest motorable beach road in India, with the drive-in beach as the primary attraction where a crazy high-speed ride on the beach can give you the ultimate thrill. The beach is usually much less crowded compared to Digha, with generally not very strong sea current, which makes it more comfortable for visitors. The coast has developed facilities and amenities available and is one of the most popular weekend getaways for families from South Bengal.
Chandipur
Balasore district, Odisha · Beach with tidal phenomenon · 240–255 km from Kolkata, 5–6 hours by road
Chandipur beach is unique in a way that the water recedes up to 5 kilometers during the low tide. October to March is the best season to visit Chandipur Beach, with peaceful ambiance, calm waves, and sandy shore making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and photography. You will find rare species of fishes like Horseshoe crab, shells, shell fish and star fishes on the beach; the sea at Chandipur has no undercurrent or quick sands and you can splash water as much as you like. September brings monsoon risks; this is a winter destination best avoided right now.
Sagar Island (Gangasagar)
South 24 Parganas, Sundarbans delta, via ferry · Pilgrimage beach and island ecology · 100–110 km to Kakdwip, then 30 km ferry crossing and bus
Sagar Island or Ganga Sagar is an island in the Ganges delta, lying on the Continental Shelf of Bay of Bengal around 110 kms south of Kolkata, located on an island in the Sunderbans, offering the charms of an unspoilt beach on the estuary of the river Ganges. Board a bus or taxi to Kakdwip from Esplanade (100 km) to Harwood Point (3–4 hours); from here, cross the river Muriganga by ferry and reach Kachuberia, then a bus service takes you to Gangasagar (30km) within an hour. Every year on the day of Makar Sankranti (14 January), hundreds of thousands of Hindus gather to take a holy dip at the confluence of river Ganges and Bay of Bengal. The beach is best visited in winter for the Mela; September seas are unsafe.
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