Mousuni Island Weekend Tour Guide – After Lockdown 2020

Mousuni Island is comparatively a newer and slightly offbeat weekend destination from Kolkata, although it is gaining popularity quite rapidly. The nature of the Bay of Bengal at Mousuni Island is different than even its closest destination Bakkhali, more calm and narrow. On a full moon, the sea looks very beautiful.
In this Mousuni Island Tour Guide, we will discuss Mousuni Island Hotels, Transportation options, the best time to visit the place, etc so that you can easily plan a weekend trip from Kolkata. Also, there are few tips at the end to make your experience better.
Being a remote island, this place offers a lot of greenery, less pollution, and a different flavor altogether. If you are tired of your regular hustle-bustle and want a very quick relaxation before joining work on Monday, just visit Mousuni Island on a Saturday, spend a night, and gather much-needed power rest to fuel another month or so.
How to Reach Mousuni Island
Mousuni Island is not that far from Kolkata, just 120 km. But there is no direct transport available from Kolkata, you have to break your journey several times before reaching Mousuni Island and due to that fact, the traveling time is comparatively much longer, approx 5-6 hours. You have two options to start from Kolkata either by Bus or Train.
- By Bus: You can board Kolkata to Bakkhali Govt. Bus and get down at 10 Mile Bazaar. From there take an e-rickshaw (Toto) to Putibunia Ghat. Then take a ferry to cross the river and after that take another e-rickshaw (Toto) to reach Baliara (main spot).
- By Train: Take Sealdah – Namkhana Local and from Namkhana Station you can reserve an e-rickshaw, Maruti van, motor van, or Maximo (depending upon your group size) for either Putibunia Ghat or Hujjuter Ghat. Then take a ferry to cross the river and take another e-rickshaw (Toto) to reach Baliara (main spot).
General Transportation Fare
- Kolkata to Namkhana train fare Rs. 25/- per head.
- Kolkata to Bakkhali Bus Fare Rs. 105/- (non-AC) and Rs. 240/- (AC) per head.
- Namkhana Station to Patibunia/Hujjuter Ghat Rs. 40 to 60 per head, depends on your bargain skill and season).
- 10-mile bazaar to Putibunia Ghat cost Rs. 15/- in e-rickshaw or motor van.
- Hujjuter Ghat and Putibunia Ghat ferry cost Rs. 3/- and Rs.5/- respectively. The ferry service will be available from 6 AM to 8:30 PM every 45 minutes. The express ferry is also available for Rs.10/-, it won’t wait that long.
- The E-rickshaw fare from Kusumtala Ghat (opposite of Hujjeter ghat) and Saltlake Ghat (opposite of Patibuni ghat) cost Rs. 35/- and 25/- respectively.
You can also visit Mousuni Island directly via motorcycle, you need to pay Rs. 60 to cross the river along with the motorcycle. Don’t worry the ferry guy will help you to transfer the motorcycle. I am planning to go there again on my motorcycle very soon.
In case you are planning a road trip to Mousuni island by car you have the option to safely park the car near Hujjuter Ghat, although I have no idea how much you need to pay for parking.
Accommodation in Mousuni Island
Due to government restrictions, building hotels are not allowed on Mosuni Island, hence you can stay in either tents or mud houses. Any adventure seekers would love to stay in these seaside camps. Approximately, double stay tents, Four bedded tents and Mud-house Rs. 900, Rs. 1000 and Rs. 1200 respectively (per head cost including food). But during peak season (December to February) they charge higher.
I have personally stayed at the Prantik Camp, as one of my relatives suggested. But that place was okayish especially comparing with other camps in terms of decoration and service. Although they told us, recent Amphan Cyclone did heavy damage to their camp, and before the season starts they will decorate their camp too. But I must say the toilets and kitchen were very clean.
Apparently, Baliara Beach Tent, Backpacker’s Camp, Nil Nirjone, Jolphoring Beach Camp, Baluka Bela are better as I have seen many good reviews in multiple Facebook groups.
As per COVID guidelines are concerned camp guys sanitized our tents and used masks all the time. As per them government has instructed to have maximum of 30 guests at a time.
Fooding in Mousuni Island
Fooding is included within accommodation so don’t worry to pay extra. Generally, they serve food four times as follows
- Welcome Drinks: Coconut Water/lemon water
- Lunch: Rice, Dal, Alu Bhaja, Sabji, Fish/Egg curry
- Evening Snacks: Tea and Pakoda (Onion/Cauliflower)
- Dinner: Roti/Rice, Chicken Curry
- Breakfast: Tea, Puri, Sabji and Boiled Egg
You can also have a bar-b-que in the evening for an additional cost. Generally, they will charge you Rs. 250-350 per kg chicken including salad.
Things to do in Mousuni Island
Frankly, Mousuni Island does not have any places to roam around except the seashore. This place is solely known for relaxation, spending time with self, friends or family. You can watch the sunset from the camp or walk the beach, take a boat ride, or plan a Bar-B-Que evening with music. The night sky and full moon look great here.
While returning from Mousing Island you may consider visiting Bakkhali (approx 25 km) or Gangasagar (approx 72 km).
Best Time to Visit
Mousuni island is best to visit in winters but being very close to Kolkata people now visit the place throughout the year. As I always said, if you love greenery and want to witness a different sea, you must visit in monsoon too.
This place is just to get relaxation from the regular busy life, so you can visit any time whenever you feel saturated.
Tips
- Being a remote place local tends to charge you extra for everything like packaged drinking water, snacks, cigarette, liquor, etc. If possible carry as much as possible.
- Always Bargain in e-rickshaws and camps to get better rates.
- If you are not visiting Mousuni Island during peak session, deciding your stay on spot will be a better idea, you can choose as per your need. But if you are late and have not booked any camp, you may miss lunch.
- Airtel and Jio performed good but still, every camp has Wi-Fi. You just need to ask for it.
- I have not noticed any ATM there, so carrying cash could be a good idea. Although, most of the camps accept online payments through GPay, Phonepe, etc.
- There is no attached toilet available for the obvious reasons but the shared toilets are clean enough. Generally, they allow large groups to have a separate toilet, just ask for it.
Conclusion
Mousuni Island is definitely a worth visiting weekend destination from Kolkata, provided you are ready for an approx 5 hours long journey (one side). If you like city life or a little bit congested places then you may feel a little bored. Otherwise, someone who loves nature or spending time with him/herself will revisit again and again.
Related Post
Bakkhali, a Chaotic but Beautiful Beach
If you love Sea, you will definitely love Bakkhali, chaotic but beautiful beach. Maybe half a day you will spend at the seashore. Being a...
Sri Ramkrishna Ashram Nimpith
The main motive of Sri Ramkrishna Ashram, Nimpith was to help people by solving generic problems, like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, illness. Over time, Nimpith Ashram...
Digha, most popular Beach of West Bengal
Digha is one of the most famous sea beaches in West Bengal. It is approximately 190 KM from Kolkata and very well connected by road...
Follow Us
Until we published another useful content, you may consider to subscribe to Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.
Don’t forget to check out our other Weekend Trip guides.
Certainly, if you loved the content, share this Mousuni Island Tour Guide with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything do let me know in the comment section. I will include it in the post.
Thanks! Have a great day ahead.
Tell me
Have you ever visited Mousuni Islan yet? If yes, how was your experience, what you liked the most?