On your next weekend you can be at Henry Island, an "unique" and "Yet to be crowded" place from a stone throwing distance from Kolkata. Henry Island, one of the most beautiful white sand beach you will ever see. Away from crowd , you will enjoy the sea in a very personally. You also can spend one day in Bakkhali and Frezergunge which is a very known place to kolkata weekend tourists. Adventure lovers also explore Jambu Dwip , a lonely and deserted island around 2 km from frezergunge.
Henry Island is named after a European who surveyed land in the area in the late 19th Century. Dense mangrove forest parted by numerous canals covered the area then. Wildlife such as tiger, deer, wild pig, crocodile and snake were common. The island was only an extension of the Sunderbans and the surveyor could not have dreamt that it would become a human habitat in little more than a hundred years.
How to reach :
Best way to reach there is take your own car. This will save both time as well as you can use your car for sight seeing because Bakkhali, Frezergunj and Henry Island are relatively a 2 to 4 km away. You can also take state buses for Bakkhali from esplanade. It takes around 4 and half hours from Kolkata to Bakkhali. Third option could be train. You take the Namkhana train from Sealdah which takes around 3 hrs. Then cross the river and take a bus to Bakkhali. From Bakkhali a rikshaw can take you to the Henry Island resort.
Where to stay :
There are numerous hotels in Bakkhali and Frezergunj. But the two rest houses of the west bengal fisheries department are the only options. For reservation, contact: State Fisheries Development Corporation, Bikash Bhavan.Salt Lake. Ph: 23376470.
What to do :
Either you can absolutely relax and sit on the beach doing nothing , eating loads of fish and drink. Or you can plan your days staying in Bakkhali and Frezergunj along with Henry Island. The sea retreats far off from the actual shore revealing a rocky and muddy sea bed. You will also see the windmills standing up high. In Bakkhali you can have a bath in the sea. Beach is relatively clean and safe. Anybody who wants to experience "Peta Parota" can easily sit in a small shop and have it as the breakfast. Adventurous people can arrange a trip to Jambu Dwip while their staying in Bakkhali. To do so, you have to go to the fishing harbour and take a boat. Its suggested that you should take the proper big boat for Jambu Dwip which may cost you a little more. Since this is junction of Sea and River, the current is more and the waves are very scary. With Smaller it will be very difficult to reach because of huge waves. The island is in the middle of the sea. There is no human habitation and the place is densely covered with Mangrove. Roam around and you will feel like Robinson Crusoe. If you are lucky enough , you will see the beach red.....dont worry...these are crabs.
Henrry Island and Jambu dwip are two of mine personal favourite places. I hope you will also like it. If you are gutsy enough do not miss Jmbu Dwip..It will be a once in a lifetime experience.
