8 Places to Visit in and Around Digha

The beach resort town of Digha, located at a convenient distance of around 187 km from Kolkata, falls in the district of Purba Medinipur. This favorite weekend destination of West Bengal proudly exhibits the northern edge of the Bay of Bengal. While there are multiple seaside towns nearby, like Tajpur, Gopalpur, and, Udaypur along the shore, there are many places to see within Digha as well.

Places to Visit in Digha

The New Digha Beach

New Digha Beach Place to Visit

The man-made beach is a new addition, being just 2 km away from Old Digha. The beach is also comparatively cleaner, and easier to access, with additional nearby attraction including an auditorium with regular entertainment.


Getting Here:

Take a rickshaw (electronic/regular) or an auto and you will reach within 6-7 minutes from any point in Digha.

Once You Reach:

Besides watching sunrise and sunset, you may go for horse riding along the sea. The long and flat beach is also safe for bathing. Visit the Science Centre for 3D and magic shows.

Relevant Details:

Staying late at the beach, especially after sunset, is not recommended as people have reported of experiencing hooliganism during the dark.

Best time to visit:

October to February


Mandarmani

Mandarmani Place to Visit in Digha

Located around 30km away from Digha, this is a developing resort village. Originally it was known as Mandarboni or Madar mani which was later changed into Mandarmani.


Getting Here:

Hire a toto (an auto-like vehicle) or a private car from Digha to reach. The entire journey usually takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Once You Reach:

Along with enjoying the serenity, you may head for the Mandarmani Delta or mohana (estuary) that takes around 30 minute to reach. The shore of mohana is filled with red crabs, forming quite a scene to behold. Also, the local fish market showcases and sells different types of dried fish known as “shutki”.

Water scooting and banana rides are offered here for which you may contact local people (costs may vary depending on what services you choose).


Relevant Details:

The place is much less crowded than Digha because most of the hotels and resorts here are costlier. Driving and paragliding are prohibited due to some accidents that happened here. Also refrain from doing anything detrimental for the red crabs and other sea creatures, as the West Bengal Government is quite active about protecting their population.

Best time to visit:

March to June, and October to February

Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre (MARC)

Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre Place to Visit in Digha

The largest inbuilt aquarium in the country, it gives you a close look at the marine life along with a basic idea about biodiversity in the sea. The regional center was built in 1989 but the aquarium did not open till 2003. The purpose of incorporating the aquarium was spreading awareness about underwater creatures, and organizing various educative courses about marine life.


Getting Here:

Private cars, rickshaws, and totos can take to you to the MARC from anywhere in Digha. As the center comes right along the NH116B, you can walk along the main road as well to get here. Buses are also available from the SBSTC Bus stand.

Once You Reach:

The twenty-four marine water tanks and eight freshwater tanks have various species, including sea horses, horse-shoe crabs, terapons, eels, sharks, sea snakes, lion fishes, and hermit  crabs, on display.

Relevant Details:

Open every day (except Tuesday) from 10:00am-06:00 pm; Entry free.

The arrangements regarding the AC and washrooms are not up to the mark, so go prepared. 


Best time to visit:

Throughout the year


Amarabati Park

Amrabati Park Place to Visit in Digha

The nature park in New Digha exhibits a lake, countless flowering plants, and shrubs. The well-maintained park is a nice spot to spend a couple of hours with family.


Getting Here:

Either walk or take a rickshaw from your location (in Digha); it takes around 5-10 minutes to reach the park.

Once You Reach:

Avail the boating and ropeway rides along with your children, and watch innumerable birds. Spend some time in the cafeteria and try out their tasty and hygienic foods.

Relevant Details:

Open every day from 07:00 am to 07:00 pm. Entry fee Rs. 5 per head.

Best time to visit:

Anytime


Digha Science Centre & National Science Camp

Science Centre Place to Visit in Digha

Inaugurated in 1997, the institute is located on the Foreshore Road. It presents scientific facts through entertaining ways, and also organizes educative scientific programs throughout the year.


Getting Here:

Located 1.6 km away from the main part of Digha, you can either avail a rickshaw or an auto to get here.

Once You Reach:

Explore the planetarium, watch the 3D show along with a visit to the Jurassic Park, and the Space & Astronomy Centre all within the complex.

Relevant Details:

Open all days from 09:00am-06:30 pm (except Doljatra and Kali Puja). Entry fee is around Rs. 20 per head; for other attractions you have to buy separate tickets (Rs. 15 for Jurassic Park; Rs. 10 for the Planetarium or Taramandal and science show; Rs. 10 for the 3D show; Rs. 25 for Space and Astronomy Center)

Best time to visit:

Throughout the year

Shankarpur Beach

Shankarpur Beach Place to Visit in Digha

This lesser known beach town is 14 km away from Digha. There is not much to see besides natural beauty, with the quaint and calm ambiance attracting those who prefer solitude. The beach is quite muddy at times, and there is quicksand so it is better to be careful.


Getting Here:

Local vans or rickshaws can take you, it may take around 30 minutes to reach.

Once You Reach:

Apart from watching the sunrise, you may enjoy water sports and shopping at local markets. Showpieces made of seashells and conchshells available in local handicraft shops are quite famous. Also, try authentic Bengali sea food, and local alcoholic drinks like vodka infused with coconut water.

Relevant Details:

Staying at Shankarpur is quite challenging as there are a fewer hotels than Digha, and not all are that good. So you might try to visit this for some couple of hours and then get back to Digha or Mandarmani.

Best time to visit:

October to April


Nehru Market

Nehru Market Place to Visit in Digha

This market in the Old Digha has all types of shops, including fish, dry fruits, and seashell jewelry, and home décor items. One of the oldest markets of Digha, it also has numerous eateries selling authentic seafood at reasonable prices.


Getting Here:

Easily accessible from Digha, you may walk, or take a rickshaw to reach here.

Once You Reach:

Shopping and trying seafood delicacies should be your basic concern. The unique thing is you can buy fresh raw prawns or other sea fishes sold right on the beach by local fishermen and get them cooked to your preference from the numerous small shacks in the market. You can also buy cashews (Digha is famous for them) from the famous “National Kaju Centre”.

Relevant Details:

The clumsy and crowded market does not have clean roads and you may have to bargain at some shops.

Best time to visit:

Anytime in the year

Talasari Beach

Talasari Beach Place to Visit in Digha

The famous beach is situated in Baleswar of Odisha, within 10 km of Digha. The name of the place comes from two words, Tala meaning palm trees, and Sari meaning row. The long rows of palm trees on the beach are considered to be the reason of its name. One special attraction of this place is the backwaters that you need to cross to reach the sea.


Getting Here:

Hire a toto from Digha, it takes about 30-45 minutes to reach.

Once You Reach:

Watch red crabs at the beach and enjoy the sunrise and sunset. During high tide, you will need to take a boat ride to cross the Subarnarekha backwaters and reach the main beach.

Relevant Details:

There are not many eateries or shops near the beach (which contributes to its attraction), but you can try different seafood at the hotels nearby. You may also get fresh fish from the quay of local fishermen if your hotel offers to cook them for you.

Best time to visit:

October to February


If you like the ambiance of Digha, then travelling to these nearby places will also be a treat. The above listed destinations will enhance your stay in Digha with a spirit of adventure and romance.

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