BAKKHALI
Bakkhali is a popular weekend gateway and also a deltaic island spread across the south-east of West Bengal. Most of the islands of Bakkhali are part of the Sunderbans, baring a few at the fringes. Some of the islands of Bakkhali are joined together with bridges over narrow creeks. The island of Bakkhali extends out into the vast expanse of Bay of Bengal. The south facing crescent shaped beach of Bakkhali is one of the rare ones in the world that offers great views of both sunrise and sunset. Bakkhali rests with Namkhana CD Block in the Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas. Bakkhali was found by Sir Andrew Fraser, Lieutenant Governor of the then West Bengal. Bakkhali is still unadulterated by urbanisation and the local inhabitants mostly depends on fishing as their main source of livelihood, as the salinity of the environment saps the fertility of the land and hence makes it less prone of other agricultural products to grow here. Some of the local inhabitants of Bakkhali are also into other forms of occupation. Here at Bakkhali one can still hear the Cock crow at the dawn, ducks puddle around muddy pools, fishing nets all around and country boats carrying dry sacksful of dried fish. The gentle rolling sea waves along with cool breeze beckons tourists at Bakkhali. During low tide the sea water goes far away while during high tide it comes very close to the shore.
Activities and attractions around Bakkhali:
Bakkhali is mainly considered as a weekend gateway from Kolkata. But still Bakkhali offers handful of activities and attractions for tourists.
- Bakkhali Sea Beach: The most prime attraction of Bakkhali is its sea beach that stretches about 08 km long from Bakkhali upto Fresergunj (a fishing harbour located 3.4 km away from Bakkhali). Bakkhali sea beach also offers stunning view of both sunrise and sunset at its back drop.
- Crocodile Breeding Centre: The Crocodile Park is the only crocodile breeding centre and a reservation park located at Bakkhali and is the only in West Bengal. Bakkhali Crocodile Park is named as Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project and is a part of Sundanbans Biosphere Reserve. This crocodile park at Bakkhali is located adjacent to Lothian Island on the banks of Saptamukhi Estuary. The surrounding dense mangrove forest and the confluence of Saptamukhi river system had immense natural wonders to attract tourists.
- Bakkhali Deer Park and Eco Tourism Park: The Deer Park at Bakkhali is another point of tourist’s interest. This deer park at Bakkhali is guarded by lush greenery all around with deer in varying sizes and ages. From this deer park within a little distance there is an Eco Tourism Mangrove Park which is also a spot worth visiting. There is a 45 feet high wooden watch tower was set up inside the park for tourists.
- Bishhalakshmi Temple: The Bishhalakshmi Temple at Bakkhali is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu goddess Bishhalakshmi, an incarnation of Hindu goddess Laxmi. The temple area is peaceful with stunning beauty all around.
- Banbibi Temple: Banbibi or the ‘lady of the forest’ also known as Bandevi, Byaghradevi is known as the guardian deity of the forest around Bakkhali or Southern Bengal. Banbibi is mostly worshipped by honey collectors and woodcutters of the forest area in order to protect them from the attacks of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Henry’ Island: Henry’s Island is a pristine beach located at a distance of 07 km away from Bakkhali. Henry’s Island was named after a British surveyor and is one of the numerous islands that forms the Ganga Brahmaputra delta and is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and rivulets. Henry’s Island near Bakkhali is an interesting mix of Sea beach with mangrove forest. Henry’s Island can be accessed by crossing a small bamboo bridge built through a stretch of mangrove forest. About 25 bigha of 100 hectares were dug to build water bodies where different types of fishes are cultivated by the fisheries department. There is a watch tower at Henry’s Island that offers panoramic view of the entire region. Tourists can also opt for a night halt at the Sundari Tourist Complex run by West Bengal State Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd.
- Fraserganj: Fraserganj or Frazerganj is another town mainly known as a fishing harbour located at a distance of 02 km north of Bakkhali. Fraserganj was named after Sir Andrew Fraser (Lieutenant Governor of Bengal – during the early twentieth century). Fraserganj and Bakkhali are regarded as twin towns. The fishing harbour at Fraserganj was established in 1995 and a wing of Benfish (of West Bengal Government) is operating in the area. All around Fraserganj there are numerous wind mills those generate power for the locality. The dilapidated house of Sir Andrew Fraser near the beach is a sight worth visiting.
- Jambu Dwip: Jambu Dwip is an isolated island located at a distance of 08 km southwest of Bakkhali. Jambu Dwip Island is a part of Sunderban National Park in the Bay of Bengal. Jambu Dwip Island can easily be accessed by small motor boats from both Bakkhali and Fraserganj. Tourists visiting Jambu Dwip are advised not to get in the interior part of Island as the thick mangrove forests are home to many species of wild animals.
How to reach:
By Air: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at Kolkata is the nearest airport to Bakkhali located at a distance of 148.9 km away. Tourists visiting Bakkhali by private vehicles can opt for a pick up from the airport itself. Or one can come at Esplanade area from the airport located at a distance of 17 km away. From Esplanade area tourists will get buses to reach upto Bakkhali.
By Rail: Namkhana Railway Station is the nearest rail head to Bakkhali. Several trains ply from Sealdah railway station of Kolkata upto Namkhana via Lakshmikantapur and Kakdwip. The journey from Sealdah to Namkhana is about 03 hrs. From Namkhana railway station local transports are available to reach upto Hatania – Doania River. From there one can either opt for the ferry service to cross the river or by direct local transport cross the Hatania – Doania Bridge and reach upto the bus stand where Bakkhali bound buses are available which takes around 45 minutes to 01 hour to reach Bakkhali. Tourists visiting in groups can also opt to avail local transport vehicles to reach Bakkhali from the bus stand.
By Road: Bakkhali is well accessed by road from Kolkata located at a distance of 125 km away. There are two different roadway networks to reach Bakkhali from Kolkata. One is the road from Joka Tram terminus at the south-western edge of Kolkata runs through Kona Expressway via Diamond Harbour and Kakdwip upto Namkhana which has been marked as National Highway 12 (NH12). While the other is by bus services from Kolkata Esplanade area by WBTC buses those reach upto Namkhana. From Esplanade the bus departs and travels via Alipore – Taratala – Diamond Harbour – Kakdwip – Namkhana. Again from Namkhana local transports are available to reach upto Hatania – Doania River. From there one can either opt for the ferry service to cross the river or by direct local transport cross the Hatania – Doania Bridge and reach upto the bus stand where Bakkhali bound buses are available which takes around 45 minutes to 01 hour to reach Bakkhali. Tourists visiting in groups can also opt to avail local transport vehicles to reach Bakkhali from the bus stand.
Best time of visit:
Bakkhali is mainly considered as a weekend gateway from Kolkata and the best time to visit is from October to March when the climate remains worthy to go for local sightseeing. Summers are quiet warm and the temperature reaches around 40 degree Celsius. Monsoon is equally generous but can make a halt to some of the tourist activities and attractions around Bakkhali. Moreover winter is the time to spot numerous migratory birds those travel long distances and come here at near the beaches, creeks, canals around Bakkhali and Fraserganj.
BALUTOT TOURISM PROPERTY EARLIER BAKKHALI TOURIST LODGE
Balutot Tourism Property earlier Bakkhali Tourist Lodge at Bakkhali is run and maintained by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (WBTDCL) is so far the best accommodation available at Bakkhali located nearby the beach. Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge is located within 03 minutes walking distance from the beach with necely maintained rooms and confortable interiors. There are open spaces within the premises of Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge with lawn and children playground area and fountain. Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge is divided into two blocks Old and New. Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge has its own restaurant and bar facility open for tourists. The staffs of Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge are nice and courteous with good hospitality. All rooms at Balutot Tourism Property or Bakkhali Tourist Lodge are well equipped with modern amenities.
Amenities available:
24 hours generator facility.
All rooms are fully air conditioned.
Attached bathrooms with all rooms.
Car parking area available.
LED Television in all rooms.
Geyser facility available.
Room Service available.
Wi-Fi Service available.
Quiet spacious rooms with balconies.
Room types and tariffs:
A.C Standard Double Bedded Room: 3200/-
AC STD DBL BEDDED ROOM- 1st Floor (NEW BLOCK): 3500/-
AC STD DBL BEDDED ROOM- 2nd Floor (NEW BLOCK): 3500/-
GST and taxes as applicable, payable at spot.
Complimentary breakfast.
Extra person charge @ 20% on room tariff, payable at spot.
10 % Discount (Senior Citizen, Cancer Patient, Single Occupancy) will be applicable on Weekdays (Mon-Thurs) only, No discounts on Weekends (Fri-Sun) and Govt Holidays.
Extra Cot/ Mattress Charges 30% of the room rent payable on spot.
HOW TO BOOK: Call us at 9831311606 , 9830381306, to get the current availability status or use the query form furnished below with all you travel queries and submit, we will call/ contact you directly. Or, you may also directly book from our Kolkata office at: 8C Shanti Ghosh Street, Kolkata – 700003. Nearest Landmark: Manindra Chandra College and Shyambazar Metro Railway Station (Gate No: 3).
