India’s east coast is less explored. When it comes for a beach vacation in eastern India, tourists flock to the islands of Andama & Nicobar and overlook the golden sandy beaches of Odisha and West Bengal. One such hidden gem is Digha West Bengal, which is a small coastal resort town. The swaying palm trees, ancient temples, and long stretch of beaches along the Bay of Bengal, make it as scenic as any other beaches in Goa or South India.
While there is more to explore in Digha other than the beaches, here is our complete guide to this beautiful small town by the sea.
Climatic Condition
Digha has a tropical climate, and mainly experiences hot and humid summers, cold winters, and rainy monsoon. Although summer is the best season for beachcombing, it is best to visit Digha during winters, when the weather is comfortable for sightseeing and beach hopping. Moreover, it experiences a longer monsoon that lasts from June to September. Since during monsoon it sees heavy downpour, the outdoor activities here remain restricted.
People often book a Guwahati to Kolkata flight in winters, between October and February. The weather during these months is comfortable for sightseeing.
How To Reach Get There
Digha is a sleepy seaside resort town, which has just recently been frequented by tourists. Over the years, its popularity has led to the rise of its commercialization. Digha is connected with major cities of West Bengal. It is just 183 km from Kolkata and takes approximately 4 hours by road. Here are the three modes of connectivity to reach Digha.
By Air
Digha doesn’t have its own airport. The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. Several domestic as well as international flights are available and you can easily book a flight to Kolkata. From the airport, you can hire a cab or taxi or hop on a bus to reach Digha by road.
By Train
The Indian Railway regularly operates train service between Kolkata and Digha. The fastest train that takes you to Digha from Kolkata within two and a half hours, is Duronto Express. Other trains may take up to three hours to cover the distance.
By Road
Buses ply regularly between Kolkata and Digha and takes up to 4 hours to cover the distance of 183 km. However, tourists also hire a cab or take their own car to reach Digha from nearby places. The condition of the road to Digha is considered quite good.
Places to Visit in Digha
Digha serves as an excellent getaway for people looking for a secluded vacation in the east coast. Its shallow sand beach, resorts along the sea, and numerous attractions around make it a popular destination in West Bengal. From white-marbled Chandaneshwar temple to Digha-Mohana Watchpoint, this coastal town has numerous tourist places to have a fun-filled weekend.
If you are planning to visit Digha beach and all it has around, here is our complete guide to this little sleepy town along the Bay of Bengal.
New Digha Beach
This man-made attraction is popular among the tourists owing to its easier accessibility, larger expanse, and lesser crowd density. The beach is dotted with casuarina trees that is indeed a sight to behold. Its magical sunrise and sundown views are a feast to your eyes. One can simply unwind here by walking on the sandy beaches and sipping on coconut water.
Old Digha Beach
Although it is less popular among the tourists, Old Digha sea beach West Bengal deserves the mention. You may not find any shacks or food joints here, but you can bring your own picnic basket or relax in the stone seats. There are a few stone crumbles and boulders that were formed due to erosion over the years. Despite being less visited, Old Digha Beach is frequented by backpackers for its remoteness.
Amaravati Park
Amaravati Park in Digha is a popular spot among the locals. With paved walkways, multitude of seating areas, a ropeway ride, boating facilities, and lush surroundings, the park is an ideal spot to spend some time in nature. The family-friendly park in Digha West Bengal is known for its numerous recreational activities. While you can enjoy a boat ride on the mini lake or walk on the paveways, admiring the seasonal flowers, taking a ropeway ride is a must. It lets you have a 360° view of the park’s verdant landscape.
Marine Aquarium & Regional Center
One of the key tourist attractions in Digha is the Marine Aquarium & Regional Center. It is the biggest inbuilt aquarium in Asia that houses three types of creatures, like local and curious species, species of conservative significance, and freshwater species. To make these species’ homes similar to their natural habitat, the center has 24 huge marine tanks and 8 freshwater tanks. Additionally, it has high-end filtration and seawater circulation systems. Apart from marine and freshwater fish, it has lobsters, sea anemones, butterfly fish, horseshoe crabs, sharks, rays and sea snakes.
Digha Science Center and National Science Camp
To promote West Bengal tourism Digha and to inspire people to learn about the fascinating world of science, the state has developed this science center. It has a 3D theater, fun and life science, gallery in reflection, Jurassic Park with light and sound, a science park, and a national science camp. The Taramanadal or the planetarium here is a must-visit. It is a perfect place for the kids as well as the adults, as its interactive sessions lets you learn science with fun.
Digha Mohana Watchpoint
Nestled on the confluence of River Champa and the Bay of Bengal, the Digha Mohana Watchpoint is popular among the locals and tourists. It offers some stunning views of the sunrise and sundown over the sea. The black and brown sands and the blocs along the sea make it a unique beach. People visit the watchpoint early in the morning to buy fresh fish from the fish market. The sight of fishermen collecting fish and selling them to their customers directly can be a unique experience for some.
Biswa Bangla Park
It is a recent addition to Digha’s top tourist attractions. The Biswa Bangla themed park is an MSME enterprise that was established by the West Bengal government to promote the region’s textile and handicrafts. The park is equipped with a paved path, well-maintained garden and the Biswa Bangla icon installed along with a globe. It is also the best place to sit in a verdant environment and take in the beauty of the nearby beach. Come here in the evening to enjoy the fountain illuminating with several colors.
Mandarmani Beach
A 23 km ride from the city and you will reach one of the secluded and yet the costliest beaches. It is considered to be the longest drivable beach in India. Whether you are here to sunbathe and get tanned or to enjoy some fun water sports, Mandarmani has it all. It has the potential to become a world-class beach destination with so many impressive landscapes and luxurious facilities. One of the interesting and must-do things here is to go for a crazy high-speed ride on the beach that is sure to give you the ultimate thrill.
Bottom Line
Digha is a quaint little resort town in India’s east coast. It has the potential to become the country’s famous beach destination. However, there’s a lot to be done to make it a world-class tourist spot. In recent years, it has gained the much-deserved attention from the tourists from nearby places. But to bring it to the international tourism map, Digha needs to prepare itself with world-class resorts and other attractions.
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