Digha Beach: Visitor Guide

• Name: Digha Beach

• Alternative Names: Old Digha Beach, New Digha Beach, Beerkul

• Location: Digha Township, Ramnagar I Block, Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal

• State: West Bengal

• Type: Coastal Beach Resort Town / Coastal Eco-Tourism & Marine Site

• Elevation: Approximately 0–6 metres above mean sea level

• Entry Fee: Free for public beach areas

• Opening Hours: Open 24 hours daily

• Best Season: October to March

• Nearest Railway Station: Digha Railway Station, approximately 1–2 km from the beach centre

• Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, approximately 185–190 km

• Photography: Freely permitted, subject to restrictions for commercial filming and drone operations

About Digha Beach

Digha Beach is a coastal beach resort town on the northern end of the Bay of Bengal in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, close to the Odisha border. Known for its beaches, sea-facing promenades, coastal greenery and visitor facilities, Digha is a popular destination for seaside recreation, family trips, walking and coastal sightseeing.

Digha was historically known as Beerkul, a small coastal fishing village. The location was documented in 1780 AD in personal letters of Warren Hastings, who described it as the “Brighton of the East”. During the 20th century, Digha developed into a planned beach resort, with Old Digha forming the original town centre and New Digha being developed further west.

Digha is not a religious destination and has no presiding deity. The nearby Chandaneswar Shiva Temple across the Odisha border provides an additional pilgrimage attraction for regional visitors.

Key Attractions & Things to See

Old Digha Beach

Old Digha is known for its concrete seawalls, paved granite walkways and sea-facing viewing areas. The seawalls were constructed in response to coastal erosion and also provide places for visitors to watch the sea.

The area is particularly suitable for observing high-tide waves and enjoying evening views along the paved promenade. Visitors should maintain a safe distance from the seawalls during high tide because waves can strike the concrete boulders with considerable force.

New Digha Beach

New Digha was planned and developed approximately 2 km west of the original town centre. It features wide sandy stretches, concrete pathways, public parks, illuminated areas and visitor facilities.

New Digha is recommended for sea-bathing and soft-sand walking. Its developed promenade also provides easier access for families and senior visitors.

Digha Welcome Gate

The Digha Welcome Gate is a prominent entrance structure on NH-116B. It features an archway designed in the form of a giant sea shell and sailboat and serves as a recognizable gateway to Digha.

Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre

The Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre in Old Digha is a marine research and public aquarium facility operated by the Zoological Survey of India. Located approximately 1 km from Digha Beach, it features marine-life exhibits, saltwater fish species and displays focused on marine biodiversity and education.

Amrabati Park

Amrabati Park in New Digha is a public recreational park approximately 1.5 km from the beach. The park features landscaped gardens, ropeway rides and boating facilities.

Udaipur and Talasari Beaches

Udaipur Beach is approximately 3 km from Digha, while Talasari Beach in Odisha is approximately 8–10 km away. These coastal areas are associated with sand dunes, red ghost crab colonies and seafood stalls.

Chandaneswar Shiva Temple

Chandaneswar Shiva Temple is a historic Hindu temple located approximately 8–10 km from Digha across the West Bengal–Odisha border. The temple is a major regional pilgrimage shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Popular Activities & Things to Do

Visitors can enjoy a range of coastal activities in Digha.

• Walk along the paved sea promenades of Old and New Digha.

• Watch sunrise from the Old Digha seawall area.

• Enjoy sunset views around New Digha during the late afternoon.

• Explore the Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre.

• Visit Amrabati Park for gardens, boating and ropeway rides.

• Enjoy sea-bathing at suitable areas of New Digha.

• Explore Udaipur and Talasari beaches.

• Sample local seafood and Bengali coastal cuisine.

• Explore local seafood markets and shell-craft products.

• Visit Chandaneswar Shiva Temple across the Odisha border.

Swimming and water activities are restricted by beach guards after 6:30 PM for safety.

How to Reach

By Road

Digha is connected by road through NH-16 and NH-116B. The route from Kolkata follows the Kolkata–Kolaghat highway corridor before continuing through Nandakumar and Contai towards Digha.

Regular state transport services operated by SBSTC and WBTC, along with private AC and non-AC Volvo buses, connect Digha with Kolkata. Buses operate from locations including Esplanade, Karunamoyee and Howrah.

The road journey from Kolkata generally takes about 4.5 to 5 hours.

Within Digha, visitors can use Totos, auto-rickshaws, bike rentals and local cabs to travel between Old Digha, New Digha and nearby beaches.

By Train

Digha Railway Station is approximately 1–2 km from the beach centre. Regular express trains connect Digha with Howrah, including the Tamralipta Express, Kandari Express and Digha Express.

The journey from Howrah takes approximately 3.5 hours.

By Air

The nearest major airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, approximately 185–190 km from Digha.

The journey from Kolkata Airport to Digha takes approximately 4.5 hours by road.

Distance Chart

• Kolkata: Approximately 185 km

• Howrah Railway Station: Approximately 180 km

• Contai (Kanthi): Approximately 33 km

• Kharagpur: Approximately 115 km

• Puri, Odisha: Approximately 300 km

• Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Approximately 285 km

All distances are approximate road distances.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Digha is October to March. During this period, temperatures generally remain pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 15°C to 26°C, clearer skies and comfortable sea breezes.

Best Time of Day for Digha Beach

Early morning from approximately 5:30 AM to 8:00 AM is suitable for sunrise views around the Old Digha seawall.

Late afternoon from approximately 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM is suitable for sunset views around New Digha.

Digha Weather by Season

Summer, March to June: Digha is hot and humid, with daytime temperatures ranging from approximately 28°C to 37°C.

Monsoon, July to September: The area receives high rainfall and the sea can become rough. The coast can also be affected by tropical depressions and cyclones.

Winter, October to February: The weather is mild and dry, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from approximately 13°C to 25°C.

Light cotton clothing is suitable for summer. Hats, sunglasses and sunblock are useful throughout the year, while a light jacket or sweater can be useful on winter evenings.

Visitor Timings & Entry Information

• Digha's public beach areas are open 24 hours daily, and there is no entry fee for access to the public beach areas.

• Swimming and water activities are restricted by beach guards after 6:30 PM for safety.

• Photography and videography are generally allowed. Commercial film units and drone operations require permission from the Digha Police Station or Digha Sankarpur Development Authority.

• Plastic littering, swimming under the influence of alcohol, swimming when high-tide warning flags are displayed, and crossing security barriers on Old Digha seawalls during high tide are prohibited.

• Beach safety is supported by continuous patrolling from West Bengal Civil Defence beach guards, local police and speed-boat lifeguards.

Nearby Essential Facilities

Parking

Paid vehicle parking zones managed by the Digha Sankarpur Development Authority are available near the Old Digha and New Digha sea fronts.

Toilets and Shower Facilities

Pay-and-use public toilet blocks and sea-bath shower facilities are available along the promenade.

Food

Digha has beachside seafood markets, fish-frying stalls, multi-cuisine restaurants and sweets shops. Local coastal cuisine includes fried and curried Pomfret, Hilsa, Prawn, Crab and Bengali Thalis.

ATMs and Banking

Nationalized and private-bank ATMs, including SBI, HDFC and ICICI, are available throughout Digha township.

Accommodation

Accommodation options include government tourism properties, budget hotels, private luxury resorts and holiday homes. WBTDCL properties include Dighali-I and Dighali-II Tourism Property.

Travel Tips & Visitor Advice

• Choose New Digha for sea-bathing and soft-sand walking.

• Choose Old Digha for high-tide sea views and evening seating along the paved promenade.

• Keep away from the Old Digha seawalls during high tide because incoming waves can hit the concrete boulders with high impact.

• Follow beach-guard instructions and avoid entering the sea after the permitted time.

• Do not swim when high-tide warning flags are displayed.

• Avoid plastic littering and follow local beach safety restrictions.

• Carry sun protection such as a hat, sunglasses and sunblock.

• Wear comfortable footwear for walking on wet sand and concrete sea steps.

• Families and senior citizens can use the paved promenades and developed access points.

• New Digha's main promenade has ramp access, while soft sand can remain difficult for wheelchair users.

• During the Christmas and New Year period, visitor numbers are particularly high, so advance accommodation planning is advisable.

• Allow 1 to 2 days to explore Digha and nearby coastal destinations such as Udaipur, Shankarpur, Tajpur and Mandarmani.

Digha Beach is a coastal destination in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, offering beaches, sea-facing promenades, marine attractions, parks, seafood and access to nearby coastal and cultural sites. October to March is the most comfortable period for sightseeing and outdoor activities, while New Digha is suited to sea-bathing and Old Digha offers developed seawall promenades and high-tide views.