Bakkhali

Bakkhali1 - Beach At Bakkhali Bakkhali is a seaside resort in Southeast Bengal|South Twenty-four Parganas neighborhood of West Bengal.

Introduction to Bakkhali

Bakkhali is on one of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal and a popular sea beach. Most of the islands are part of the Sunderbans, 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. There is a 8 km long beach stretching from Bakkhali to Frasergunj with gently rolling waves. These are twin towns now forming one continuous locality. Except on an occasional holiday the beach is not crowded. A small stretch near Bakkhali has been lighted up. It is a hard beach suitable for cycling or even driving. One can take long walks with coconut water. Bakkhali, main beach - Beach view at Bakkhali

Travel to Bakkhali

By road

Bakkhali is 122 km by road from Esplanade, Kolkata. The road runs through Diamond Harbour and Kakdwip to Namkhana. On 7 March, 2019, a bridge over Hatania-Doania river at Namkhana has been made open to small vehicles (cars), making it feasible to travel directly to Bakkhali without having to wait for ferry. The 130 km stretch from Kona expressway (with links to the Mumbai and Delhi sections of the golden quadrangle project linking the four metropolises of India) and Bakkhali has been marked as National Highway (NH) 117. The road journey from the fringe of Kolkata to Bakkhali takes about 3 hours, however crowded market places and occasional stretches of bad road can delay movement. Some sections are very crowded, especially in the early morning because of the bazaar and later at the evening time and there is no bypass for these smaller towns.

Travel by Bus to Bakkhali

West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) has regular bus service from Dharmatala to Bakkhali. One starts at 7AM in the morning from Dharmatala and reaches Bakkhali at around 11:30AM and leaves from Bakkhali after half an hour for Kolkata (Dharmatala). Another starts at 8AM from Dharmatala to reach bakkhali at 12:30PM and starts from Bakkhali after half an hour forty five minutes. So the bottom-line is that there are two round trips from Kolkata to Bakkhali provided by WBSTC. This schedule is subject to change and one must confirm it from Dharmatala Bus Stand before venturing out from Kolkata. The route of the bus is Dharmatala- Alipore-Chiriakhana-Taratala-Diamond Harbour-Kakdwip-Namkahana-Bakkhali and the fare is ₹70. At Namkhana and the bus has to be transported across the Hatania-Doania creek in a special ferry. It is expected that the Namkhana Bridge will be open to big vehicles, once the complete work is done. The ferry service is available from 7 AM Monday - 11 PM except from noon till 1:45 PM (lunch hour). There are plenty of local buses up to Namkhana and then again from Namkhana to Bakkhali.

Travel by train to Bakkhali

The nearest railway station is at Namkhana. There are regular trains from Sealdah via Lakshmikantapur and Kakdwip to Namkhana. Check the time table in erail.in. The first train starts at around 4AM from Sealdah. Then at around 4:40AM then at 5:10 AM, 7:30AM and the next to this one is at a long gap at around 9:30AM. It is always advisable to take the train at 5:10 from Sealdah. Train fare is ₹25 and the journey takes around 2½ hours. From Namkhana station you will get a van rickshaw or TOTO (fare ₹10/head) to reach the bus stand from where one can get buses for Bakkhali which take around 35mins. and the fare is ₹16.50. You can also hire private cars from the Namkhana bus stand/train 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.

Fly to Bakkhali

The closest airport is at Netaji Subhash Chandra (NSC) Bose International Airport or Dum Dum (IATA Flight Code: CCU) in northern Kolkata. It is located roughly kilometers 17 from Kolkata's downtown and is India's 5th-busiest airport. Bakkhali is around 130 km or a 4-hr bus ride from Kolkata.

Get Around in Bakkhali

GPS 21.5632|88.2594 Taxis or hired transport are not generally available at Bakkhali or Namkhana. Those who desire to travel in hired transport should preferably arrange for it from Kolkata or try their luck at Diamond Harbour. Most Bakkhali hotels have chargeable dormitories for drivers to stay. The ride in the crude bhut-bhuti, a motorised country boat, from Frasergunj fishing harbour to Jambu Dwip, a small, uninhabited and forested island out in the sea, can be a thrilling experience. The two-hour ride (both ways) costs ₹35 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 hours to visit all the spots and stay for 1 to 2 hours in Jambu Dwip.

Area monuments

Bakkhali Bus Stand 21.5633,88.2682 main bus stand in Bakkhali

}} Bakkhali Crocodile Project - 21.5626, 88.2697

Bakkhali sea beach 21.5592,88.2657 It is a 8-km long sea beach, stretching from Bakhkhali to Fraserganj. The point shown on the map is towards the Bakkhali end. This part is lighted at night. There's a vehicle park at the entry to the beach and a fee if you want to take your vehicle on to the beach - it's a hard surface. Frazerganj Fishing Harbour -Jetty - 21.5797, 88.2511

Bhoot bhooties (motorised country boats) are available for visiting Jambudwip and other places. Travelling in the open sea in a primitive craft may get unconfortable if the sea suddenly turns rough, but hundreds of tourists go.

Henry Island 21.5764,88.2924 - No more a separate island, it's slightly more than 5 kilometers (15 minutes by car) from Bakkhali.
Jambudwip 21.5714,88.1817 Uninhabited forested island with a beautiful beach. There is no jetty. One has to get down on the watery beach.

What to See

The walk over the beach from Bakkhali to Frasergunj is a friendly experience. The rickshaw van is the only transport available locally. On these rickshaw van you can take a trip to Henry's Island and Watch Tower. A rickshaw trip will travel through the local villages and their surrounds. From the watch tower you can view the entire Sunderban area. It is a splendid view. On one side you can see the Bakkhali Beach in the far distance and on all the other side the green expanses of Sundarban. It is affordable and since one has plenty of time and the ride can be enjoyable but do not expect much. A temple called Bishhalakshmi is at the end of the Bakkhali main beach and is worth seeing. The pandit ji is quite different there as he won't allow you in the temple. He has his own rules.

Muslim Travel Tips

Most of the time would be spent in enjoying on the beach but some people look out for opportunities to do other things also. Get a private massage at Bakhhali Beach (full body ₹45, head and shoulder ₹10). Make it a point to visit Henry's island. If you have a car, its around 10mins ride from Bakkhali. Entry fee is ₹5. You can also use the rickshaw vans as well. There are 3 guest houses on Henry Island. If you wish you can stay there too. The lodges are named Mangrove, Sundari and Bani. Bani has a watchtower on the roof is very close to the sea beach. You can enjoy a good view of the surrounds from there. These lodges belong to the Fisheries Department of West Bengal. For reservations, contact: State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bikash Bhavan ☎+91 33 2337 6470. Have a look at the view from the watch tower and do walk to the beach. The walk goes through a stretch of mangrove jungle accessed by crossing a small bamboo bridge. View of henry island, bakkhali, WB - View of Henry's Island from the tower The credit for turning Henry Island into a holiday hotspot goes to the fisheries department of the state government which has set up a pisciculture project here. The fisheries department has dug more than 50 ponds occupying over 25 bigha on 100-hectare of land. Trees such as gora, kankru, palm, naturally growing sundari and hetal have been planted. Henry Island is named after a European who surveyed land in the area in the late 19th century. Dense mangrove forest is parted by numerous canals covering the area. Wildlife such as tiger, deer, wild pig, crocodile and snakes were common. The island was only an extension of the Sunderbans and the surveyor could not have dreamt that it would become a human habitat in little more than a hundred years. Visit the Benfish harbour and Frasergunj Beach on the way to Henry's Island. You can also visit the Crocodile Park and Mangrove forest just beside the Bakkhali Bus Stop. The entry fee is ₹2. You can pay a visit to a small island, Jammu Deep, amidst the sea where you have to travel via boat in high waves and the boat ride is just thrilling.on arrival you will be delighted to see the beach full with Red Crabs its really a nice view.

Shopping in Bakkhali

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. The stationery shops have reasonably good stocks.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bakkhali

Frazargunj Indian Hotel beside Hotel Deepak. You will get many varieties with wonderful taste and reasonable price. If you buy sea fish and crab from outside and ask them to prepare it for you and they will do that happily for a small fee. These young men are very cooperative.
New Hotel Parijat in between the local bus-stand and WBTDC Lodge provides the best food here at moderate prices. You will find all sorts of fishes like pomfret, hilsa, prawn and the standard rui and katla too. A normal rui thali with other recipes costs ₹35. Chicken meal ₹80, prawns ₹100. No breakfast available here. Extremely courteous staff.
You can also try the various road side shacks for lunch and dinner. They come a little cheaper but the food can be sumptuous and tasty, however because Bakkhali doesn't have a steady flow of tourists, most restaurants don't have a steady menu for lunch or dinner. You have to place an order for lunch/dinner a few hours in advance.
Henry Island can be a paradise for non-vegetarians, but you are left with little or no option for Vegetarian, which can become a major problem at times.
Most hotels have their own restaurants and some have restaurants.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bakkhali

Bakkhali - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bakkhali, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bakkhali. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bakkhali and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bakkhali. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bakkhali. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bakkhali: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bakkhali. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bakkhali: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bakkhali, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bakkhali. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bakkhali, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bakkhali, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bakkhali and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bakkhali, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bakkhali, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bakkhali without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bakkhali is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bakkhali. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Bakkhali is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Bakkhali, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Bakkhali Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Bakkhali

eHalal Group Bakkhali is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Bakkhali. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Bakkhali. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Bakkhali ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Bakkhali. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Bakkhali, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Bakkhali are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Bakkhali

Ramadan 2025 in Bakkhali

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

To avoid the unsavory, corrupt and thoroughly untrustworthy fraud booking services based in Kolkata, it is best to arrange a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation. There are many hotels at both Bakkhali and Frasergunj and new ones are steadily coming up. The bus from Namkhana passes over Frasergunj before reaching Bakkhali. Henry Island is located closer to Frasergunj. 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.

Ananya Hotel - In between Bakkhali and Frazergunj ☎ +91 98 3150 7528 Double room ₹300-500 with AC, 10-bed top floor dormitory for ₹120 Check-in : noon / Check-out: 11:30AM Three floors, plenty of water, hotel roof access, very good ambience and airy. Enclosed vehicle parking available. Only problem with this hotel is the lack of any availability of food or Snacks.
Bakkhali Tourist Lodge 21.5611,88.2681 take bus from Kolkata and the ferry across the Hatania-Doania river ☎ +91 32 1022 5260 (Lodge) +91 33 2248 5168 Check-in : noon / Check-out: noon ₹2500 The only lodge near the beach is run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) at Bakkhali. Credit cards accepted.
Benfish Tourist Lodge Near Frazerganj Fishing Harbour 21.5774,88.2497 ☎ +91 3210-225225
Henry Island | Henry Island WBFD - 10 min from Bakkhali ☎ +91 33 2337 6470₹300-600 Two complexes. One is just at the entrance of the Henry Island Mangrove area just adjoing the Matla river and the other is 2 kilometers inside it. The cottages inside Henry Island are named after various mangrove trees. The watchtower has a nice view. To book contact the State Fisheries Development Corporation (Bikash Bhavan).
Hotel Amarabati - 21.5641,88.2646 ☎ +91 97 3261 9340, +91 33 2210 1822 (Kolkata office) Check-in : noon / Check-out: noon Cottage ₹750, deluxe room ₹1000, A.C. room ₹1,800, deluxe four-bed ₹2000, bathtub room ₹2800 or check website. Modern facilities are available.
Hotel Babylon | South 24 Parganas beside Punjab National Bank - ☎ +91 973278 1970 Double rooms ₹200-400 Checkout: 11AM Clean hotel.
Hotel Bayview | hcp_2009@ ☎ +91 32 1022 5214, +91 98 3613 5942 (mobile) Facilities are okay for budget conscious travellers. Food is Bengali only and seems to be clean and hygienic compared to other road-side eateries.
Hotel Deepak Frasergunj 21.5684,88.2528 ☎ +91 33 2464 0081, +91 33 2463 3203dorm bed ₹100/day, rooms ₹450-850 A/C and non-A/C rooms, lift, swimming pool, bar, Bengali/Chinese/Continental.
Hotel Dolphin bookingho2012@ Chowrasta, 24 Parganas (South) 21.5661,88.2589 ☎ +91 32 1022 5296, +91 98 36543585 Check-in : 12 noon / Check-out: 11AM ₹1,200-2,000 + 5% tax on A/C rooms A/C, non-A/C rooms, cottages, parking, garden, restaurant. On call doctor.
Hotel Indrakanan - Artland group of hotels | 21.5694,88.2509 ☎ +91 96096 29073₹125-500
Joyguru Abasan | Main road to beach. - 2 minutes from Bakkhali bus stand. ☎ +91 97 3437 0212₹500-1500 Check-in : 10AM / Check-out: 11AM Residential type hotel. Generator provided and running water available 24 hrs/day. All rooms have good ventilation, some rooms are facing the road with balconies.
Sagar Belaya Guest House | , at Frezergunj ☎ +91 33 2453 5817, +91 92 3154 9732 +91 90 5182 6220 8 double rooms ₹500-600, 2 triple rooms ₹600-₹750 Check-in : 11:30AM / Check-out: 11AM Up to 50% off-season discount available. Bengali foods & Snacks are available. Group cooking facility available, dining @₹500/day, onsite generator 6PM Monday - 10PM daily.
Sahana Tourist Lodge | ☎ +91 33 22486850, +91 98 7459 6275 (mobile), +91 98 3026 8698 (Kolkata mobile) ₹425-850 Check-in : noon / Check-out: 11AM 10 rooms with double beds and one 4-bed room available on the 1st floor for ₹850. Off-season discount may be available. Car parking, onsite power generator, cable TV , children's playground.

Telecommunications in Bakkhali

Mobile phone coverage at Bakkhali is good, covers full range up to Jammu Deep. BSNL, Jio, Vodafone and Airtel has good coverage. Ideally, one should check with the hotel one intends to stay at to determine which of the mobile phone service providers have facilities in the town.

News & References Bakkhali

Go Next

Bhagabatpur – crocodile project
Sagar Island - Gangasagar
Sundarbans National Park – gateway for the West Bengal part of Sundarbans is through Canning and Basanti, but Sunderbans accessible from Bakkhali. But best accessed though Basanti. If one reaches Netadhopan tigers can be spotted too.