Three girls coming to Mandarmani Beach from Kolkata felt no less than the Goa plan that made it out of the group chat! Even though the location is a 4.5-hour drive from Kolkata, the taste of freedom meant everything to the trio, who have been together since high school. Little did we know this would be our only trip before all three of us got married off, making the weekend getaway our unofficial bachelorette.
Where is Mandarmani?
Mandarmani, located 172 km away from Kolkata, is a seaside resort village and a popular weekend getaway in East Midnapore district. It is accessible by booking a bus from Esplanade, by taking a train up to Contai and then an auto, and also by road via NH16. It is one of the longest drivable beaches in India, attracting tourists especially between October and February.
We were here in January, cuddled by our hoodies, but still wanting to experience the cold breeze at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. With this blog, I am going to walk you through how we went to Mandarmani, where we stayed, what we ate, and what we did.
Spending 2 days by Mandarmani Beach from Kolkata
Here is a breakdown of our trip from Kolkata to Mandarmani as three adult women make the most of their unofficial bachelorette:
Day 1
The journey began with an Uber ride
The night before our trip, three of us decided to stay at my place because we had to catch an early-morning Uber from Kasba to Esplanade. We reached the Esplanade bus depot on a cold winter morning to buy bus tickets to Mandarmani.
You can prebook a bus via MakeMyTrip, RedBus, and other apps for your Kolkata to Mandarmani trip. We usually prefer to buy tickets at the depot to catch the next available bus, depending on our arrival time.
There are buses available every day, with both non-AC and AC options. Since it was winter, we didn’t need an AC bus, and it cost us around 400 INR per person.
Reaching Chaulkhola
Most buses that go to Mandarmani run between Kolkata and Digha. Our bus was also to reach Digha 30 minutes after we got down at Chaulkhola. It was a 4.5-hour drive that included a 10-minute tea-and-pee break.
There are autorickshaws and e-rickshaws that are always ready to carry passengers to their designated hotels at the bus stop. They know the names and locations of popular hotels, while you can use Google Maps for others.
The e-rickshaw we booked drove for about 10-12 km in about 30 minutes to reach our hotel. We didn’t expect the distance between Chaulkhola and the beachside to be so long, so we took it into account when leaving early after check-out.
Checking into Sher Bengal in Mandarmani
We had pre-booked the Sher Bengal Hotel in Mandarmani for two days at 3,000 INR per day. It is a beach resort that overlooks the Bay of Bengal, has a swimming pool, a kids’ play area, cottages for stay, and an in-house restaurant.
We had booked a cottage with one double bed and a single bed to accommodate all three of us. It cost us 2,000 INR per head for two days, which was reasonable given the location and amenities that we could avail.
Our hotel included a complimentary breakfast for three of us on both days, with no additional charge. Sher Bengal is a budget hotel that offers a luxurious feel, especially for those looking to relax by the pool overlooking the beach. It is a walk away from the beach, offers romantic sunset moments, and is also couple-friendly.
Eating a regular Bengali meal for lunch
After a tiring bus ride, we were hungry, and it was time for lunch. At the in-house restaurant, we ate Dal, Jhuri Alu Bhaja, Rui Macher Kalia, and rice. When looking for places to stay near Mandarmani beach, it is necessary to check reviews of food available in in-house restaurants.
Since you don’t have options to eat out, if you don’t like the hotel food, it can ruin your entire experience. Many hotels offer packages that include room charges and four meals a day. Those are generally cost-effective options to explore before booking your stay.
Fun time by the pool
As the sun set, it was time to grab drinks and order snacks. There are deck chairs with a view of the beach, which is a few steps away from the pool. This is the best place to unwind, as the sounds of waves gush into the beach as you watch the sun go down.
We sat at the cabanas by the pool and enjoyed reminiscing about old memories while making more.
Mocktails, cocktails, fries, and kebabs are yours to order as you drench yourself in the lit ambiance by the pool. Colorful fountains enhance the aesthetic, but no one is allowed to swim late at night.
Day 2
Complimentary breakfast
The following day began with a complimentary breakfast buffet at Sher Bengal Beach Resort. The spread included meals for all three of us, and here’s all that they serve:
- Fruit salad
- Fruit and chocolate cake slices
- Boiled eggs
- Bread with butter and jam
- Fruit juice
- Cornflakes and Chocos with milk
- Sevai (vermicelli) as dessert
- Upma and Idlis with Sambhar and Chutney
- Luchi and Daal
This is their standard buffet menu, which remains the same every day. Since we had booked the hotel for two days, we had breakfast the following day before check-out as well.
There is a lawn by the hotel’s cottages where you can take your breakfast outside. It is a shared space for anyone to enjoy basking in the sun while watching their kids play or their pets run around.
Soaking our feet in sea waters
After breakfast, it was finally time to go to the beach and soak up the winter sun. It was breezy, cold, and sunny at the same time. We dipped our feet into the mild waves and enjoyed our beach time while drinking coconut water.
The beach was quite secluded because we went during the off-season. Interestingly, Mandarmani has fewer crowds at all times because it offers fewer activities than Digha. Tourists who bring their own car can easily access places near Mandarmani, while others come here just to chill by the beach.
Swimming at Sher Bengal Beach Resort
Since we did not have our own vehicle and had limited options, we took a dip in the pool after our beach time. The pool was about 4 feet deep, with a separate kids’ section at a lower water level. They let you wear your own clothes while swimming in the hotel pool. You can also order snacks and eat by the cabana while your feet are dipped into the water!
Lunch
It was time for a hearty meal, which for the most obvious reasons had to include crab. When visiting beaches like Mandarmani or Digha, most Bengalis prefer eating seafood. It is not just cheaper than what it’s in the city, but also tastier because it is cooked fresh. We ordered our usual Dal and Jhuri Alu Bhaja, along with crab curry, and had a superb bhaat ghoom (rice sleep) thereafter.
Enjoying a quiet time of togetherness
We spent a quiet time in our hotel room playing cards while sipping cocktails on our last night by Mandarmani Beach from Kolkata. Our cottage was perfect for the cozy time we spent chatting, giggling, and catching up with stories we hadn’t shared in years. We had ordered food to our rooms and tried a mix of Chinese and North Indian food.
Returning to Kolkata
The following day, we woke up early for our complimentary breakfast and checked out of Sher Bengal Beach Resort. We went back the same way we had come: a toto ride to Chaulkhola, then a bus ride to Kolkata.
Smartly, we had taken the phone number of the toto driver who dropped us off at our hotel the day we arrived, so he could pick us up from the same place at check-out.
We had booked our return bus online, and it was scheduled to arrive at 11 am at the Chaulkhola bus stop. We reached Kolkata by 3:30 pm and dispersed by booking Uber/Ola cabs to return home.
Is Mandarmani safe for girls?
Mandarmani is a secluded beach destination filled with both developing/developed resorts and hotels, making it safe for girls during the day, but caution is advised at night. We were strictly within our hotel premises after sunset because this place attracts large, boisterous groups of men who are prone to consuming alcohol and playing loud music publicly.
Unlike in city life, there might be no immediate access to police protection, making this place notorious compared to populated destinations like Digha or Kolkata.
If you’re visiting as a solo female traveler or a group of female friends, here are some things to keep in mind:
- While Mandarmani is a beach destination, it is not like Kolkata. It is dark after sunset, and there isn’t much to do around. You are safer inside your hotel premises because you will find ample lighting, amenities, and everything you need in an emergency.
- I wouldn’t recommend women step out of their hotels after sunset because the areas adjoining such resorts are dark and dimly lit. You will not find cafes or eateries nearby, so there are no activities outside the resort.
- Even though it is a beach destination, I would request that you dress modestly for your own safety. Mandarmani is more secluded than popular beach destinations, and safety can be a concern, especially when traveling alone.
- Carry sun protection and hats because you won’t find a lot of shacks to rest and unwind by the beach. While a few of them are scattered here and there for selling coconut water, there aren’t proper beach shacks like Tajpur.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Mandarmani or Digha?
The answer to the Mandarmani vs. Digha debate comes down to your travel preferences. While Digha has recently received a lot of attention due to Jagannath Mandir, Mandarmani is a secluded weekend getaway with little to do. If you want to have a packed travel experience, hopping from one thing to another, Digha is your vibe. Mandarmani, however, is for a laidback weekend where people want to unwind before going back to work on a Monday morning.
What is Mandarmani famous for?
Mandarmani has one of the longest drivable beaches in India, making it a perfect place to visit for people who bring their own car or can rent one. Unlike us, you can roam around and explore the tourist places in Mandarmani if you have your own vehicle. If not, you can book an auto or an e-rickshaw to take you to nearby sights.
How much does a Mandarmani trip cost?
For two days in Mandarmani, costs range from 6,000 to 10,000 INR per person, depending on how many people share a room and the mode of transport.
For example, our transport cost, including cab, bus, and toto fare, was 1,500 INR per person; room cost was 2,000 INR per person; and regular meals were 1,500 INR per day. An additional 2,000 INR went into buying snacks, drinks, coconut water, and other miscellaneous expenses. The total came to 6,000-7,000 INR, making it roughly 20,000 INR for three girls sharing a room.
Which is the best month to visit Mandarmani?
Beaches are sought-after during summer. However, the best months to visit Mandarmani are December and January; the same time we were here! The temperature is between 15°C and 28°C, helping you beat the scorching summer heat, while the sea remains calm and perfect for swimming. If you visit after New Year’s, you will find hotel prices lower than the Christmas-to-New Year week.
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