Bakkhali
Discover Bakkhali
Bakkhali (বকখালি Bakkhāli) is a seaside resort in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Bakkhali (BAWK-khali) is on one of the many deltaic islands spread across Southeast Bengal and has a popular sea beach. Most of the islands are part of the Sundarbans, barring a few at the fringes. Some of these are joined together with bridges over narrow creeks. This small island juts out into the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal.
What to Experience in Bakkhali
Taste of Bakkhali...
There are many hotels at both Bakkhali and Fraserganj and new ones are steadily coming up. The bus from Namkhana passes over Fraserganj before reaching Bakkhali. Henry Island is located closer to Fraserganj. None of the hotels have a direct view of the sea (the casuarina forest or jhau bon can be visible at maximum). The WBTDC Tourist Complex is nearest to the sea. Mobile phone coverage at Bakkhali is good, covers full range up to Jambudwip. However, 4G connectivity can be patchy on most networks. It is best to check with the hotel you intend to stay at to determine which of the mobile phone service providers have good Internet connectivity in the town and whether STD/ISD calls can be made from the hotel.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe nearest airport is at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata. Bakkhali is around 147 km or a 4½-hour car ride from the airport. From Namkhana station, you will get a rickshaw to reach the bus stand from where one can get buses for Bakkhali which take around 35 min. and the fare is ₹16.50. You can also hire private cars from the Namkhana bus stand/railway station, the fare will be ₹350 to ₹500 depending on your bargaining skills. The Bakkhali bus stand is very close to most of the hotels and a 5- to 7-min walk from the beach. West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has regular bus service from Esplanade to Bakkhali. One starts at 7AM in the morning from Esplanade and reaches Bakkhali at around 11:30AM and leaves from Bakkhali after half an hour for Kolkata (Esplanade). Another starts at 8AM from Esplanade to reach bakkhali at 12:30PM and starts from Bakkhali after half an hour forty five minutes....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are many electric rickshaws, locally known as Totos and indigenous mechanised cycle vans, available in Bakkhali which serves the purpose of sightseeing perfectly. In case, you prefer a hired car, it is suggested that you contact and inform your hotel in advance, as availability might be less in peak season. Most Bakkhali hotels have chargeable dormitories for drivers to stay. The ride in the crude bhut-bhuti, a motorised country boat, from Fraserganj fishing harbour to Jambudwip, a small, uninhabited and forested island out in the sea, can be a thrilling experience. The two-hour ride (both ways) costs ₹250-300 per head. The country boats can also be hired for other rides. The weak-hearted are advised not to take the rides. For all the spots a rickshaw van will charge you at max ₹60 per head and it will take around 5 hr to visit all the spots and stay for 1 to 2 hr in Jambudwip. The walk over the beach from Bakkhali to Fraserganj is a pleasant experience.
Where to Stay
There are many hotels at both Bakkhali and Fraserganj and new ones are steadily coming up. The bus from Namkhana passes over Fraserganj before reaching Bakkhali. Henry Island is located closer to Fraserganj. None of the hotels have a direct view of the sea (the casuarina forest or jhau bon can be visible at maximum). The WBTDC Tourist Complex is nearest to the sea. Mobile phone coverage at Bakkhali is good, covers full range up to Jambudwip. However, 4G connectivity can be patchy on most networks. It is best to check with the hotel you intend to stay at to determine which of the mobile phone service providers have good Internet connectivity in the town and whether STD/ISD calls can be made from the hotel.
Money & Budget
Credit cards are not accepted anywhere. There are a couple of ATMs, including one at Axis Bank at Bakkhali Bus Stand, but it is recommended to carry cash as the ATM tends to dry up quickly. There are many hotels at both Bakkhali and Fraserganj and new ones are steadily coming up. The bus from Namkhana passes over Fraserganj before reaching Bakkhali. Henry Island is located closer to Fraserganj. None of the hotels have a direct view of the sea (the casuarina forest or jhau bon can be visible at maximum). The WBTDC Tourist Complex is nearest to the sea. Mobile phone coverage at Bakkhali is good, covers full range up to Jambudwip. However, 4G connectivity can be patchy on most networks.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Bakkhali
Immortalism within mortality
A large boat floating on top of a large body of water
A man sitting on a rock next to a body of water
A boat with people on it in a body of water
A boat with people on it in a body of water
There is a large pile of rocks on the side of the road
Immortalism within mortality
A large boat floating on top of a large body of water
A man sitting on a rock next to a body of water
A boat with people on it in a body of water
A boat with people on it in a body of water
There is a large pile of rocks on the side of the road
Immortalism within mortality