Weekend getaway from Kolkata · #4 of 10
Mandarmani
Perhaps India's longest motorable beach: kilometres of firm sand dotted with red crabs, beachfront resorts, jet ski and ATV rides, and the fishing-village mohana at the river mouth. Quieter Tajpur beach is next door.
Imagine endless stretches of packed, driveable sand meeting the warm Bay of Bengal, dotted with resorts instead of noisy town blocks. Mandarmani is all about kicking back: lazy beach strolls, spotting red crabs at the delta, ripping on ATVs, and enjoying quiet vibes at Tajpur beach next door.
Getting there
It's roughly 172 km. Heads up: the last village stretch is narrow and pitch-black at night, so make sure you pass Chawalkhola before sunset! If you need a snack or restroom break, pull over at Kolaghat.
Perfect if you want to sneak in a quick visit to Digha before settling in Mandarmani, though it takes a bit longer than heading straight through Contai.
Day 1 - Arrival and the long beach
Unpack at your beach resort, dive into afternoon sand and surf adventures, and wrap up the day watching the sunset at the river delta.- 17:00 AMDrive
Drive from Kolkata via Kona Expressway
Hit the road early to beat the traffic through Kolaghat and Contai. The highway eventually gives way to cozy village lanes for the final stretch to the coast.
📍 Kona Expressway, Kolkata
Tip · Stop for a quick bite and restroom break at Kolaghat - food options get pretty sparse once you pass Contai.
- 211:00 AMFood
Check in and resort lunch
Feast on a mix of local Bengali and Chinese dishes. Pro-tip: the fresh crab and jumbo prawns are the absolute stars of the kitchen here!
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
Tip · Call in your lunch and dinner orders a few hours early! Kitchens here cook everything fresh to order rather than keeping pre-made dishes.
- 31:00 PMSight
Walk the long beach
Kick off your shoes for a stroll along one of India's longest driveable beaches. The sand is incredibly firm and flat, making it perfect for walking.
📍 Mandarmani Beach, Mandarmani
Tip · Don't go deeper than your hips unless you're a strong swimmer - there are no lifeguards on duty here.
- 43:00 PMActivity
ATV or jet ski ride
Ready for some speed? Rent an ATV to zoom along the shore, or hop on a jet ski or banana boat with a local pilot for some serious splash time.
📍 Mandarmani Beach, Mandarmani
Tip · Bungee trampolines have been banned since 2022, so focus your energy on the ATVs, jet skis, or banana boats.
- 55:00 PMSight
Sunset at the Mohana river delta
Drive down to where the river meets the ocean. It's a gorgeous spot to watch fishermen catching crabs and prawns against a line of casuarina trees.
📍 Mohana river mouth, Mandarmani
Tip · Make sure to leave before it gets dark. This spot becomes extremely isolated once the sun sets.
- 67:30 PMFood
Beachside crab and prawn dinner
Tuck into the freshest crabs and prawns of the day at your resort, or head to a beach shack if you called ahead to set it up.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
- 79:00 PMStay
Overnight at a beachfront resort
Let the sound of the ocean lull you to sleep. Don't worry if you hear a generator humming - grid power on the beach strip can be spotty at night.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
Day 2 - Tajpur and the ride home
Catch an epic sunrise, explore the peaceful sands of neighbouring Tajpur, and make the easy drive back to the city.- 86:00 AMSight
Sunrise beach walk
Rise and shine! The beach is beautifully quiet and cool at dawn, making it the ultimate golden hour for snapshots and a peaceful walk.
📍 Mandarmani Beach, Mandarmani
- 98:00 AMFood
Breakfast at the resort
Fuel up with a tasty breakfast at the resort before packing your bags, checking out, and pointing the car toward nearby Tajpur.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
- 109:30 AMSight
Cross to Tajpur Beach
Zip across the Mandarmani-Tajpur bridge to check out Tajpur. It's a much quieter, untouched beach with the same firm sand but half the crowd.
📍 Tajpur Beach, Tajpur
- 1111:30 AMActivity
Shop for shell curios
Browse the cute little beachside stalls for handmade shell necklaces and local trinkets - the perfect little memento to take home.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
- 121:00 PMFood
Last seafood lunch
Treat yourself to one last delicious plate of local crab or prawns before starting the road trip back home.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
- 132:30 PMDrive
Drive back to Kolkata
Head back to Kolkata along the Contai-Kolaghat route. Give yourself plenty of time so you aren't navigating those tight village lanes after dark.
📍 Mandarmani Beach Road, Mandarmani
Tip · If you're driving, travelling with a buddy car is a smart move on the sandy beach road in case someone gets bogged down.
Where to eat
The absolute specialty here! Just remember to order your feast ahead of time so the kitchen can prep it fresh.
Enjoy classic Bengali home-style meals served alongside comforting Kolkata-style Chinese at most local spots.
Grab one from the local vendors right on the sand - there is nothing better for cooling off between beach walks!
When to go
Perfect weather for beach walks and sunbathing with gentle waves and crisp mornings. It gets busy, so lock in your resort early!
It gets pretty sticky and hot, but you can still enjoy breezy beach walks during the early mornings and late evenings.
The monsoons churn up rough waves and limit beach play. Stay away from the river delta during this time as it gets dangerous.
Good to know
- Always book your resort directly instead of using random booking agents in Kolkata to avoid any hotel-room surprises.
- Keep plenty of cash handy since card machines and UPI can be super glitchy along the remote beach strip.
- Decide what you want to eat a few hours in advance, as kitchens cook everything fresh to order rather than keeping pre-made dishes.
- High tide can swallow the beach road by evening. Stick to the main tracks and definitely don't hang around the river delta after dark.
