Nomad Saikat
Situated in the Kakdwip Subdivision of the South 24 Parganas district, Bakkhali is a town that comes under the jurisdiction of the Namkhana CD Block. This is a beach town with a breathtaking beach view that attracts a lot of visitors. Are you looking for a beach near Kolkata? Do you have 2 days time in hand for a quick weekend getaway near Kolkata? If you are searching for low budget tourist place near Kolkata then Bakkhali beach can be your ideal destination. Here some details on how to Reach Bakkhali from Kolkata.
How to Reach Bakkhali from Kolkata
Best time to Visit Bakkhali
Summers can be very discomforting with temperatures rising as high as 40 degrees. The monsoon also dampens the tourist activities to a lot of extent. The ideal time to visit Bakkhali can be from October to March when the weather is favorable.
How to reach Bakkhali?
There are multiple options to reach Bakkhali from Kolkata by Road, Train, Bus and Car. However no matter whichever mode of transport you travel by, a considerable part of your journey will be covered by road. Check out the various options below.
By train?
There is no direct train from Kolkata to Bakkhali. The nearest railway station to reach Bakkhali is Namkhana which is 20km away from Bakkhali. There are regular trains that you can take from Sealdah via Lakhshmikantapur and Kakdwip. It takes around 3 hours time in train. From Namkhana you will have to take a van rickshaw to the bus stop nearby. From there you will get buses to Bakkhali that takes near about an hour or so to reach. The ticket price is Rs.30. you can also reserve Toto or Car from Namkhana to reach Bakkhali. Another option is walking upto Narayanpur from Namkhana and avail the ferry service and then take a taxi to Bakkhali.
By car?
The journey to Bakkhali by road will cross Diamond Harbor and Kakdwip to Namkhana. From there the vehicle will need to be transported over the Hatania-Doania creek which is a sheltered waterway via ferry. The ferry is in operation all through the day except for the lunch hours from 12noon to 1pm. The approximate distance is about 125kms and takes around 3-4 hours to reach the destination.
By bus?
Regular WBSTC bus services are available from Esplanade to Bakkhali via NH 12. Private bus services are also available at an interval of 15-20 minutes. Kolkata Bakkhali Ac Volvo Buses are also available. The first bus is at 7am in the morning and the last bus departs at 8:15pm from Kolkata to Bakkhali. It takes around 4-5 hours to reach Bakkhali by bus. Ticket prices start from Rs. 105 onwards. The Volvo Bus fare is Rs.240.
Where to stay in Bakkhali?
There are good options of resorts in Bakkhali. Bakkhali tourist lodges are well equipped with facilities and you can get resorts according to your budget. You will get hotel option starting from price Rs 800 to around Rs. 3000. There are some good hotels in Bakkhali available, like –
Bakkhali Eco Parks & Tents
This is a family friendly resort with all necessary amenities. A decent room for two costs Rs.1500.
Shree Hotel Bakkhali
This hotel is at a 13minutes walking distance from Laxmipur Sea beach. Standard Non AC rooms cost Rs.800. The location is easily accessible.
Hotel Amarabati
This one is at a walking distance from the Bakkhali Sea Beach. Location is also close to Bakkhali bus stand. You will get Cottage AC Rooms as well as Deluxe Rooms. Prices range from Rs.1600.
Lavica Deluxe Cottage & Resort
Lavica Deluxe Cottage and Resort is just 12 minutes away from Jambudwip. The restaurant also has a dinner buffet. Standard room costs Rs. 1800.
Balutot Tourism Resort
This is a decent state run resort that you can also check out. This one is a popular Bakkhali Resort. The resort is 3 minutes away from the Bakkhali Sea Beach. The place looks beautiful with extended ground and a lake view along with palm trees.
Places to Visit in Bakkhali
Bakkhali Beach
Bakkhali Beach is one of the most peaceful beaches away from the crowd. This beach is on a deltaic island and extends into the Bay of Bengal. It appears to be more attractive because it is not very densely populated. The beach stretches 8km from Bakkhali, Fraserganj and is ideal as a picnic spot. One can enjoy leisurely walks by the beach and also enjoy the beauty of sunrise. It is not possible for one to swim here because the water is very shallow. But you will enjoy walking into the clean waters. The beach has white sand which looks beautiful in the glistening sun. You can enjoy the local red crabs and other sea food from the vendors on the beach. The Bakkhali beach also has a lesser known Hindu temple, the Bishalakshmi Temple that you can visit. It is a quiet and peaceful place to offer prayer.
Henry’s Island
Henry’s Island is an island just outside the Bakkhali village which is 4 km away from the city center. The island is named after a European traveler who visited this place in the latter part of 19th century. It gives an all encompassing view of nature that is a fascinating experience. You can take long walks on the beach. Bird watching is also a popular activity here. you will witness variety of birds like Red Knot, Woodpecker, Eurasian Pigeon, Kingfisher, Whistling Duck and many more. Being an extension of Sundarbans, this island has beautiful dense mangrove forests that need a special mention. You can also witness the fishing activities here. Those who are interested can also buy fresh fish from the fishermen.
Travelers can make a one day trip to Henry’s island as well. In that case they would have to carry their own food and water. It would be a pleasant escapade to an isolated island. Try to not visit after sunset as the place becomes quite desolated. Also do not go cashless as digital mode of payment may not be available everywhere. So have enough cash for an easy transaction. There is a watch tower here at Sundari Complex. You will get a panoramic view from the top of the watchtower that is a mesmerizing sight.
Jambudwip
Jambudwip is an isolated island that is 8km southwest of Bakkhali. Other than the fishing months from October to February the island remains uninhabited. Previously the fishermen from Chittagong and Noakhali used to visit this area for fishing. The island’s proximity to the fishing ground is one of the reasons for choosing this place for fishing. Other reasons were the presence of creeks in the area and availability of pure drinking water that was found here.
This is a beautiful sightseeing spot in Bakkhali but visitors are not allowed on this island. Basically if you want you can take a boat ride around this island. Small boats are available from Bakkhali that take tourists for this ride. But the boat doesn’t stop on this island because it is illegal to do so. So if you prefer cozy boat rides and enjoy being in the water for a longer period of time, this spot can be an enjoyable experience for you.
Fraserganj Wind Park
The area of Bakkhali is also popularly known as Fraserganj. The place got its name from British Official Lord Fraser who resided in this area. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal during the beginning of 20th century. He was impressed by the beauty of this place and so he wanted to construct this place but that never got completed because of the area being too close to the sea. You can still see the remains of a house near the beach that the locals believe to be a house where he lived in.
There are a number of wind mines constructed in this area and therefore the area is called the Fraserganj Wind Park. It is about 1 km away from the city center. It will take a small walk of around 3 minutes to reach there. The view here is almost dreamlike. So be ready to get lost in the beauty of this place.Bakkhali is a great place to visit if you are looking for some peace away from the hustle bustle of the city. No other place so close to Kolkata can give you the essence of a sea shore better than Bakkhali. So add this destination in your list of must visit places from Kolkata. Bakkhali sea beach will provide you the much needed break from the mundane. Let me know when you are planning a trip to Bakkhali.
