Kolkata is chaotic, however, vibrant, and truly fascinating—but sometimes you just need the continuous crashing of waves instead of the honking of car horns and hectic city life. In this article, we will cover the best weekend beach Trips from Kolkata that will offer a memorable experience, as the Bay of Bengal isn’t far.
Within 2–7 hours, you can reach these beaches for a family trip, catering to every mood. Some are bustling with life, others whispering solitude, some spiritual, and some adventurous. Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, a foodie or someone who is spiritual and loves temples, there are so many options for beach travel near Kolkata—a quick holiday destination for everyone!
In this comprehensive guide to the best Kolkata beaches to visit this year, you will know which tourist spots to explore, how to reach these Kolkata beaches, the best seasons for a weekend getaway, the cuisine to try, and approximate costs. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Best Weekend Beach Trips from Kolkata
We have listed down the weekend beach trips from Kolkata:
1) Digha – A Popular Coastal Weekend Destination
Digha is one of the most family-friendly beaches near Kolkata for decades. The 7 km stretch is divided into Old Digha (rocky shorelines, bustling markets) and New Digha (wide sandy stretches, better for swimming).
Located 181–184 km from Kolkata, Digha takes about 4–5 hours by bus (available from Esplanade) or car. You can also board a train from Howrah to reach the destination in 3 hours. The best time to visit is October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and the vibe is lively, family-friendly, and full of energy.
What to Do:
a) You can try horse rides and water scooters.
b) Walking along the casuarina groves during sunrise or sunset is another must-do in Digha!
c) Don’t miss visiting the Dheusagar amusement park in New Digha.
d) Explore Mohona—the meeting point of the Subarnekha River and the Bay of Bengal.
e) Don’t miss boating at the Amarabati Park!
f) If you’re spiritual and love temple hopping, do check out Chandaneswar Temple (located in Balasore district of Odisha) and the newly-built Jagannath Temple.
g) You can also shop for souvenirs for your near ones and yourself!
Food to Try: In Digha, you can try fish fry, crispy & fried pomfret, prawn cutlets, crab curry, and coconut water from shacks. Digha’s seafood is fresh and extremely cheap.
Estimated Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 3,500–5,000
Tip: You can explore New Digha for swimming. Also, avoid boulders while swimming, especially in Old Digha.
For more information about Digha, read this blog: Digha Holiday Trip: Read My Real Travel Experience Filled With Drama!
2) Best Kolkata Beaches for Couples – Mandarmani
Mandarmani is one of India’s longest drive-in beaches where you can actually ride your car along the waves. Unlike crowded Digha, Mandarmani feels more relaxed but offers ample adventure activities.
Located at 170–175 km from Kolkata, you can reach Mandarmani in 4–5 hours by bus or car. train or private car. Alternatively, you can reach these top tourist places in West Bengal by train and reach Kanthi, which is close to the beach.
The best time to visit is from October to May, and the beach offers a calm, short trip for couples and families.
What to Do:
a) You can indulge in shell collecting and spot red cabs.
b) Try ATV rides, boat rides, and parasailing.
c) Also, try your hand at photography.
d) If you have a car or a two-wheeler, drive on the sand when the tide is low.
Food to Try: You may try tasty lobster curry, crab masala, fried bhetki, and pomfret tandoori at beach shacks.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 4,000–6,000
Tip: Please don’t take safety into your hands. Don’t drive during high tide.
3) Tajpur
Tajpur is a hidden gem near Kolkata, located around 136 km from Kolkata. You can reach this beach by train to Digha and take cab to Tajpur from there. You can also board a bus from Kolkata to Balisai, which is near Tajpur.
The best time to visit is October to February, when the weather is cool and less humid, and the vibe is secluded, romantic, and nature-rich. So, it is one of the best offbeat beaches near Kolkata!
As one of the best weekend beach trips from Kolkata, Tajpur is perfect if you want solitude. This crescent-shaped beach has casuarina groves, red crab colonies, and clear sunrises.
What to Do:
a) Walking on the calm shoreline.
b) You can also enjoy sunrise and birdwatching.
Food to Try: Like other beaches, Fish fry, prawn curry, crab masala
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 3,500–4,500
Tip: Always carry cash, as you won’t find many ATMs.
4) Shankarpur – A Haven for Fish Lovers
Shankarpur is actually a fishing harbour and a twin of Digha, but far quieter. Here, nets spread across the sands, fishing boats, and along palm groves. Shankarpur is 176 km from Kolkata and you can reach there from Digha. The best time to visit is between December and April, and the vibe is rustic, photogenic, and slow-paced.
What to Do:
a) If you’re a photographer, you’ll love clicking pictures of fish, fishing boats, etc.
b) Enjoy taking walks in the morning along casuarina groves.
c) In case you’re with your family, picnics are fun!
Food to Try: Try fresh seafood, grilled or fried at shacks.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 3,000–4,000
Tip: Avoid venturing out late at night.
5) Weekend Beach Trips from Kolkata: Bakkhali & Henry’s Island
Bakkhali is known for its 7 km-long quiet stretch. From here, you can walk to Frasergunj or take boats to Jambu Dwip. Nearby, Henry’s Island is another gem with mudflats, mangroves, and a watchtower offering picturesque views.
Bakkhali is about 126 km from Kolkata. You can board a bus from Esplanade or a train from Howrah/Sealdah and reach this beach in Bengal for a weekend trip. The best time to visit is October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and the vibe is serene, offbeat, and unspoiled.
What to Do:
a) You should explore Jambu Dwip and the nearby Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project.
b) Explore birdwatching and mangroves.
c) You can also try cycling through quiet lanes along the coast.
Food to Try: Hilsa, crab curry, and fish thali are a must-try!
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 3,500–5,000
Tip: Keep offline maps handy as this place has poor network coverage.
For more information about tourist destinations in Bengal, read this blog: Best Tourist Spots in West Bengal – Let’s Unveil the Best Tourist Attractions in Bengal
6) Take a Dip in the Holy Waters of Gangasagar
Gangasagar is famous for its religious significance, where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. Every January, pilgrims gather for a holy dip during the Gangasagar Mela. This beach in Bengal is located 117 km from Kolkata. First, you need to reach either Kakdwip or Namkhana by train or bus. After which, you need to book a ferry, cross the river and reach the Sagar Island where Gangasagar is located. The best times to visit are in January, during the Gangasagar Mela, and in February, when the vibe is spiritual, cultural, and historic.
What to Do:
a) First and foremost, take a dip in the holy waters
b) Visit the lighthouse and Kapil Muni Ashram and the lighthouse
c) You can take a stroll in any nearby villages
Food to Try: If you’re visiting during the mela, try vegetarian meals. In other months, try seafood.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 3,000–4,500
Tip: Book ferry tickets early during festival time.
7) Mousuni Island – Camping on the Beach Side
Mousuni is still raw and best for eco-tourism lovers. Stay in camps, enjoy bonfires, and sleep under the stars. That’s why we recommend this place as one of the best weekend beach trips from Kolkata. Mousuni Island is about 120 km from Kolkata. To reach there, you can board a bus or train to Namkhana, then cross Hatania Doania river by a ferry ride, and then take a toto from the ferry ghat towards the island. The best time to visit is January to February, and the vibe is adventurous, rustic, and eco-friendly.
What to Do:
a) You can try stargazing and camping.
b) Other than that, birdwatching and mangrove exploration are activities you can try.
Food to Try: Fresh seafood thalis prepared by villagers.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 2,500–3,500
Tip: Please carry repellents, power banks and other basic equipment.
8) Offbeat Beaches Near Kolkata: Junput
Junput is popular for its lighthouse, casuarina trees, and the Brackish Water Research Centre. It’s one of the best Kolkata beaches to visit in 2025 for solitude.
Junput is located about 140 km from Kolkata. To reach there, you can first reach Digha and take a bus from there to reach the destination or board a train from Howrah to Kanthi. From there, you can reach Junput. You can also reach this beach in Bengal by a private car.
The best time to visit is October to March, and the vibe is quiet, academic, and meditative.
What to Do:
a) Visit the lighthouse and the research centre.
b) Picnics by the seaside are also fun!
c) Also, you can explore the quiet beach and take a stroll there.
Food to Try: Fish curry and rice in Bengali homestyle.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 2,500–3,500
Tip: Carry your necessary belongings to Junput and keep them handy.
Looking to escape from the bustling city life, explore other offbeat tourist places near Kolkata.
9) Diamond Harbour
Diamond Harbour is where the Hooghly River meets the Bay of Bengal. This place is just 57 km from Kolkata, and it takes around 2 hours to reach, whether by train, bus, or car. The best time to visit is October to March, and the vibe is historical, relaxing, and ideal for day trips.
It was once a pirate base, now a picnic spot.
What to Do:
a) Enjoy joyful ferry rides.
b) Give a visit to the Sharisha Ramkrishna Mission Ashram.
c) You can also explore Raichak.
Food to Try: Try out a variety of fish, crabs, prawns, and other seafood.
Approx. Cost (2D/1N per person): INR 2,500–4,500
Tip: Keep in mind, Diamond Harbour is best for day trips.
10) Offbeat Shores – For the Explorer in You
a) Baguran Jalpai (East Medinipur)
Baguran Jalpai offers you a seaside escape from the bustling city life. The place is about 160 km from Kolkata and takes roughly 5 hours to reach. You can reach there by train to Kanthi (It is near Baguran Jalpai) or by car. The best time to visit is between October and February, and the vibe is untouched, quiet, and beautiful, enhanced by casuarina trees, red crabs, and nearby temples like Nachinda and the Dariapur lighthouse.
Cost: INR 3,000–4,500 per person
b) Falta (South 24 Parganas)
Falta is a place where the river Damodar meets the Hooghly. It is not a beach per se and is located just 51 km from Kolkata, taking around 2 hours to reach. You can visit this place anytime; however, from October to February is the ideal time. The place will give you a peaceful vibe, and is also home to the old ruins and the farmhouse of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Cost: INR 2,500–3,500 per person
c) Gobardhanpur
Gobardhanpur is a virgin sea beach located in South 24 Paraganas, around 170 km from Kolkata and takes 6–7 hours to reach (bus, train, car), including ferry rides. You must visit this place from October to February. If you’re an adventure seeker, the vibe of this place will be an exact match! The place is remote and teeming with migratory birds, mangroves, and villages shaped by tides.
Cost: INR 3,500–5,000 per person
11) Odisha’s Hidden Beaches Near Kolkata
a) Talasari Beach (Balasore, Odisha)
Talasari is located nearly 191 km from Kolkata, just 10 km from Digha. The best time to visit this beach near Kolkata is between October and December and February. When you land there, you’ll experience a serene, rustic, and poetic vibe. With the picturesque view of the Subarnarekha River meeting the Bay of Bengal, cashew plantations, fishermen, and coconut groves around, the place is a heaven for beach lovers.
Cost: ₹3,500–₹5,000 per person
b) Chandipur Beach (Balasore, Odisha)
Known as the “vanishing sea”, Chandipur is located nearly 258 km away from Kolkata, taking 6–7 hours by road or train. The best time to visit is from October to March, and the vibe is surreal and unique. During low tide, the water recedes approximately 4 km every day, leaving vast swathes of sandy flats studded with horseshoe crabs and shells.
Cost: INR 4,000–6,000 per person
Things You Should Know While Planning Your Weekend Trip
Budget: These are low-budget weekend getaways. A trip will cost you INR 3,000–6,000 per person for 2 days (cheaper if camping, higher if luxury).
Best Season: October to March. Avoid monsoon tides.
Transport: Road trips, trains, buses all work for these weekend beach trips from Kolkata. Buses, trains, and road trips all work. You will need ferries to reach Gobardhanpur, Gangasagar, and Mousuni.
Must-Carry: You must carry with you cotton clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, a power bank, and cash (ATMs are scarce in remote beaches).
Food: Enjoy mouth-watering local cuisine, particularly seafood. In general, the dishes are affordable.
Final Word
West Bengal is a state that boasts of both mountains and the sea. If you’re a beach lover, there are numerous options available for a memorable trip. Whether you’re spotting red crabs at Talsari, driving along Mandarmani, camping at Mousuni, these are the best weekend beach trips from Kolkata, and they’re not just tourist spots—they’re experiences you’re worth it!
FAQ on Weekend Beach Trips from Kolkata
Diamond Harbour, located about 57 km away from Kolkata, is the nearest, but for sea beaches, Bakkhali (126 km) is the closest.
Digha is around 181–184 km away, taking 5–6 hours by road or train.
Henry’s Island and Tajpur are among the cleanest, less crowded beaches near Kolkata.
Mandarmani, Digha, and Tajpur are the best weekend beach for weekend getaways.
Yes, you can explore Baguran Jalpai, Mousuni Island, and Gobardhanpur as they are still largely untouched and offbeat.
Yes, Mousuni Island is popular for eco-camping and bonfire nights by the sea. It offers a calm and peaceful seaside escape from the hectic city life.
Talasari and Chandipur, both in Balasore district of Odisha, are popular and easily accessible from Kolkata.
