Mandarmani

Mandarmani (মন্দারমণি Mondārmoṇi or মান্দারমণি Māndārmoṇi) is a beach resort in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal.

The nearest railway station is in Contai, although many Digha tourists also come to Mandarmani.

From Kolkata, catch a bus at Esplanade or Howrah headed for Chaulkhola, or any bus headed towards Digha. From Chawlkhola there are cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaw which you can take to Dadanpatrabar and/or Mandarmoni. You can also hire a car from Chawalkhola for Mandarmoni.

From Dadanpatrabar, you can again use rickshaws, but it is best to take the transport from Chawalkhola till Mandarmani since transport availability from Dadanpatrabar is very uncertain.

SBSTC and WBTC buses are available at ₹130. A number of deluxe coaches run daily, ₹100-₹110. Whiteliners is the better option, departing Esplanade at 7:30AM, cost is ₹205.

Volvo buses available from Gariahat via Esplanade in the morning.

Check if the route is operating when booking as some times bus may be canceled for mechanical failure or other reason.

For the last 6 km into Mandarmani, there is a narrow but all-weather road, which takes you directly to the hotels and resorts, provided you travel in a hired car. You can still drive along the beachside road, but beach developments has a seriously adverse effect on the local ecology, not to mention the atmosphere of the beaches. While driving on the beach side road, stick to the side far from the sea or keep to the established track or you may risk getting caught in mud or sand. The Mandarmani–Tajpur road connects Jalda bride, and tourists can visit Tajpur as well while staying at Mandarmani. After reaching Digha, take or hire a car and stuff which would take one to Mandarmani. It takes around 45 minutes to reach there. While the journey takes place, you can feel little unsafe looking at the road side darkness, but no need to worry; actually the locality hardly have electricity so they avoid going out after it gets dark.

You'll most likely be walking between your resort and the beach, however if you need to travel longer distances, avoid the temptation to drive on the beach as it is prohibited now.

Be careful while driving and try to stick to the central part of the road while driving. Towards the end of the road, the sands are soft in places and your car may get stuck in it. Avoid walking on the mohana beach after dark as if you get stuck in the sand dunes, you may not be able to get any local help to pull yourself out.

On the beach, there is no electricity and after dark the only sources of light are the lights of the small beach-side shops which get their electricity from generators or batteries. As the evening progresses, the high tide causes the sea to rise. By 7-8 PM the sea takes up almost a quarter of the total width of the beach. So, if you had visited the beach during daytime, be careful as the sea will definitely be nearer in the evening. Better to have a torch with you at all times after dark.

• 21.66889987.7156191 Mandarmani Beach. Most people are here to hang out at the beach. The waves tend to be calm and the water is often dotted with a few fisherman going about their daily routine.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 21.65564687.640992 Mandarmani Mohana. At the end of the beach, there is the river mouth (মোহনা mōhonā). There are some fishing settlements nearby. Red crabs are visible over a large stretch of the beach near the Mohana. You can watch the fishermen standing or wading through knee deep water laying their nets or catching fish and crabs. This place is about 5-6 km from the main part of the beach where most of the hotels/resorts are located and is really beautiful with a scenic backdrop. On one side of the river there are dense casuarina trees (locally called jhāu), while on the other side is the fishing village. A bit further from the village on the other bank of the river is some dense vegetation. It is not realistic to attempt to cross over to the other side and go into this forest as it is actually quite distant, despite appearing to be quite close.  (updated Sep 2026)

One can visit the nearby temples and other sight scenes if interested. For that you have to book a "toto" (electric rickshaw); or you can hire a "bhatbhati" by asking the locals.

Relax, swim and enjoy the beach. You can roam everywhere. It is unlikely that anybody will disturb your privacy and the beauty of this beach is that you are not likely to have many other visitors around. Activities include fishing, table tennis, carrom, beach cricket, beach volleyball, and boat cruises. Sunbathing is best from October to February. However, this beach is not frequented by foreign tourists and so if you plan to sunbath here, be sure to keep in mind the local culture.

• ATV Bikes — You can enjoy the ride of ATV Bikes with pilot on the long beach
• Jet Ski — Enjoy the ride on Jet ski with pilot, surf the sea. feels amazing
• Banana Boat — It's a ride on sea with several people sitting on a banana shaped boat
• Bumpy Rides — It's a ride on waves, feels bumpy

• Fresh fish & crabs are sometimes available from the local fishermen.
• Shells the small shops dotting the beach also sell small knick-knacks made out of shells and oysters. You can buy shell-necklace and other such stuff. Beach balls, hats, toys, brought from the Kalindi market or Chawalkhola, are also sold.

Most of the resorts serve typical Bengali food and Kolkata-style Chinese cuisine. However, food is a bit costly since most of the items have to be brought from far away Kalindi/Contai market. The local raw materials available in the nearby village will not usually serve the requirements of the hotels or resorts.

Also, do not expect very high quality food as the hotels usually employ local people without much expertise as cooks. However, the food is hygienic and generally clean. Crab and prawn preparations are worth savouring. But negotiate the price beforehand.

The beach also has a number of small eateries which sell tea and snacks. If you want to have meals from here, you have to place an order with the owners beforehand. These eateries make the food only 'on-demand' as per prior bookings from customers. With these stalls, you may have to compromise on the hygiene. Costs are again on the higher side.

From the eateries you can borrow chairs to sit on the beach. Food is very expensive. Approx ₹500 per day per head.

Green coconut water is sold by the local farmers. You can get a limited variety of alcohol from the shops near the beach, but be sure to dispose of the containers properly rather than littering the beach. Also be informed that the alcohol is exorbitantly costly, and in some cases almost double the normal market price. Beer is approximately ₹80 for a 650 ml bottle or can.

• Hotel Panthatirtha, ☏ +91 90 3830-6460, et@hotmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. A/C and non-A/C sea facing rooms double, triple, eight bed and large dormitory. Restaurant and children's park. ₹800-1,500. 
• Priya Jeet, ☏ +91 98 3003 5839, +91 33 2481-9359. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 10:30AM. Private sunbathing area on the beach. A multi-cuisine restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and Continental food. ₹800-1,200. 
• Samudra Bilas (15 km from Choulkhola). Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. A village resort consisting of 14 cottage style rooms. Four of them are 4 bedded, one room is 10 bedded, rest are twin beds, the resort have 32 bighas of land including ponds, children's park, boating, and a restaurant. ₹800-1,800. 
• Samudra Sakshi Resort, ☏ +91 91 4315-0273, cbhoinfo@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. A resort with a small park, good for kids. Renovated with four bed and A/C rooms, on site restaurant ₹500/600/800/1800. 
• Shorelene, ☏ +91 92 3957-2058. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. Sea facing & sea view rooms. Children's play ground. Complimentary breakfast from Sunday to Thursday. Pick-up and drop-off service from Chowlkhola at extra cost. Parking is provided for free. ₹800-1500. 
• Tarangamala Guest House, ☏ +91 99 3297-7184. Check-in: noon. A basic mid-range hotel with cottages around a lake. ₹500-1500. 

• 21.663687.69911 Debraj Beach Resort, ☏ +91 98 3021-3935, +91 33 2231-0909, contact@debrajresort.com. Suites, cottages, all with TV and mini-bar, double, triple and x6, sea-view rooms with private sit outs and lawns available. ₹1,500-4,000.  
• Digante, ☏ +91 99 0346-8114, +91 90 0760-3406, digante@digante.com. A mid-priced beach retreat with a private sunbathing beach backed by sand dunes and Jhau plantations. A/C rooms available at extra charge, 24 hr generator. Durga Puja ceremonies are held at the resort. Bidisha is the onsite multi-cuisine restaurant. ₹1,100-1,400 (NAC). 
• Dream Hut Resort. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. A seaside resort with modern amenities, children's play ground, swimming pool. Multi-cuisine restaurant providing breakfast, lunch, evening snacks and dinner. A/C, non-A/C rooms with attached bathroom, TV & intercom. Driver accommodations are available. ₹1,000-3,000. 
• ecOvilla, The Screw Pine Beach Resort, Mandermani, ☏ +91 80 0138-6463, ecovilla20@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Eco boutique resort with 18 sea facing cottages with full facilities. Room service, homely multi-cuisine food. Ideal for package tour or groups. Can arrange picnics, DJ nights, musical evenings. Special holiday package starting from ₹1,500-2,000. Car rental assistance, sight seeing and tours. 
• 21.658687.68932 Golden Beach Resort, Mandarmani Beach Road, East Medinipur District, ☏ +91 9433095262 , +91 9163040758. ₹800-2,500.  
• 21.653687.67033 Hotel Dream Land, 347, Shanti Pally, First Floor (opp. Delhi Public School), ☏ +91 33 2217 5584, +91 94 330 5584, fax: +91 33 2226 0144, info@hoteldreamlandgroup.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. 24 A/C and non-A/C sea view cottages and rooms. Multi-cuisine restaurant ₹1,200-3,500.  
• Hotel Shinjini, 9B, Sidhu Kanahudahar (7 km from ChaulKhola), ☏ +91 91 6314-2803. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Flower garden, Bengali restaurant. Car parking. Pick up and drop off service from Chulkhola. non-A/C ₹800, A/C ₹1,800. 
• Neel Nirjaney, Mandarmani, ☏ +91 93 3188-2883. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. Same day laundry service (seasonal). On call doctor. Massage services and children's park. Multi-cuisine restaurant (Palki). Car parking, car rental, sight seeing services. Driver accommodation is available (₹100 per night). ₹1,000-2,000+tax. 
• Resort Hirak Jayanti, Mandarmani Sea Beach Rd (near Garden Retreat Resort), ☏ +91 97 48899684, +91 90 51603295, debjiban.roofers@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11:30AM. All rooms sea facing, children's park, conference hall, free car parking, 24 hr room service and security, multi cuisine restaurant. Cable TV, 20 hr power supply by generator, driver accommodation. Pick-up/drop at Chaulkhola and Contai railway station. ₹1,200-1,800, A/C ₹3,000. 
• Sonar Bangla, ☏ +91 98 0034 0270, reservation@hotelsonarbangla.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. A/C ₹3,500+5%+10%, non-A/C ₹1,500+10%. 
• 21.64882187.6504084 Bengal Beach Resort (Bengal Beach Resort Mandarmani), Mohana, Mandarmani Beach Rd, ☏ +91 9903352515, +91 7044432515, toll-free: +91 9903352515, bengalbeachresort@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. One of the Best beach view Mandarmani Resort with swimming pool. A/C ₹2,500 - 8,500.  (updated Nov 2022)

• 21.654887.67785 Masara Beach Resort, ☏ +91 9331155548, +91 9331040310, +91 9051111216. ₹1,800-5,900.  
• 21.649987.65496 The Sana Beach (14km from Chawalkhola), ☏ +91 90 0772-5066, +91 98 3147-3785, leisure_luxury@hotmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. "Eco-friendly" beach resort with accommodation options from camping through to suites & Maharaja tents. Multi-cuisine restaurant, local artisans' market/workshop, newly opened spa, swimming pool and lounge bar with a private sunbathing area provided on the beach. Shrimp Cocktail is a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Continental food. Tulshi is their Jain restaurant. Sourav is a 24 hr cafe, or check out Majlish, the hookah bar. Kolahal is the sports lounge bar or try the Swimming Pool. ₹2,850-13,500+tax.  
• 21.64916487.6494217 Classic Beach Resort (Classic Beach Resort Mandarmani), Mandarmani Beach Rd, ☏ +91 8585881808, +91 7890381808, classicbeachresort@gmail.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. A newly opened beach resort of modern design, with all the amenities, bathtub, swimming pool with baby pool, with magnificent views of the beach. All kinds of veg/non-veg/sea food options available. There is an in-house restaurant and free parking inside property. Room service is available and all the rooms are AC with private balcony, restroom, sofa and centre table. Close to Mandarmani beach, it is walking distance from the property. ₹1,800-5,900.  (updated Nov 2022)

Try to avoid this place after dark as it becomes very isolated and you will not find any people, local or outsiders.

Reportedly some resorts dump solid waste into the ocean, which you may want to consider before heading out for a swim. The report may be wrong because any solid material dumped in the sea ultimately returned by the sea and make a line of debris at high tide line which is not visible. But every tourist should take care of their health. Don't go in the sea beyond hip level water for your own safety.

Carry any essential medicines if visiting the area as there are very limited sources of potential supply in an emergency.

• Contai
• Digha
• Junput
• Tajpur