Bakkhali is seaside resort in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. It is located on one of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal. Most of the islands are part of the Sunderbans, barring a few at the fringes. Some of these are joined together with bridges over narrow creeks. This small island juts out into the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal.

It has a 7 km long beach stretching from Bakkhali to Frasergunj with gently rolling waves. These are twin towns now forming one continuous locality. Casurina trees line the beach. Except on an occasional holiday the beach is not crowded. Even if one part is crowded on a particular day, there will be plenty of barren pockets. A small stretch near Bakkhali has been lighted up. It is a hard beach suitable for cycling or even driving. One can take long walks.

Activities

Bakkhali is unique in many ways. The windmills in Frasergunj generate power for the small locality. These are visible from many places all around. Some of the hotels use solar heaters for heating water. The rickshaw van is the only form of local transport. Buses and trekkers transport people all day long.

Fishing is the primary occupation of the people all around because the salinity of the environment saps the fertility of the land. There is a fishing harbour at Frasergunj and Benfish, a wing of the state government has a presence nearby. Bakkhali and Frasegunj are unadulterated by urbanisation. One can still hear the cock crow at dawn and watch ducks puddle around muddy pools in the backyards of houses. One can see fishing nets spread everywhere. Country boats carrying sackfuls of dried fish is a common sight.

Tourism

The drive from Diamond Harbour is enjoyable as the road runs through sleepy villages and small market places, occasionally crossing a creek. All the creeks have bridges over them, excepting the Doania Hatania creek at Namkhana. The ferry crossing for cars, buses and humans is a memorable experience for city dwellers.

Jambudwip and Lothian are two forested islands nearby. However, neither has any wild animals. The only means of travel to the islands is by the crude motorised country boat and then there are no jetties in the islands. One has to jump out of the boat and wade through water to the beach.

With tourist-friendly approach of the local population tourism is picking up fast. Travel from Kolkata has become easier. The railway track has been extended to Namkhana. There already are plenty of hotels. Many more are coming up.