Best Beaches in Bangladesh: From Cox’s Bazar and Inani to Kuakata and Nijhum Dwip

Bangladesh has a long coast on the Bay of Bengal, and its beaches range from busy holiday sands to grassy shores and empty island strands. This guide to the best beaches in Bangladesh explains what each one is like, how to reach it and, above all, how to enjoy the sea safely.

When to go to the beach

November to March is the season almost everywhere: the sea is calmer, the sky clearer and the weather cool. In the monsoon, roughly June to September, the sea is rough and bathing is often closed. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends and holidays.

1. Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach

The Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach is an unbroken stretch of sand running south from the town towards Teknaf for well over 100 km. The busiest part is in front of the town, at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli points. Come for long walks on firm sand at low tide, the sunset, fresh seafood and the fishing boats landing at dawn. The town is also the base for everything else in the Cox’s Bazar district.

Swimming: only at the guarded points, between the flags, when lifeguards are on duty. A red flag means no swimming.

2. Himchari

On the Marine Drive, about 12 km south of town, Himchari is where forested hills come right down to the beach. Climb the long steps to the hilltop for the view along the coast, and see the waterfall in the rainy season. There are usually no lifeguards here, so do not swim.

3. Inani Beach

About 25 km south of town, Inani Beach is known for the dark rocks along its shore. At low tide they stand clear of the water, and the pools between them fill with small fish and crabs. The water is usually calmer and clearer than at the town beach, and the sunset over the rocks is what people come for. Check the tide before you go, wear sandals with grip, and leave the rocks and shells where they are.

4. Saint Martin’s Island

Saint Martin’s Island, the only coral island in Bangladesh, has clear water and coconut palms. It is reached by ship only in the permitted winter season, and the government limits visitor numbers and overnight stays — check the current rules before planning, and never touch or collect coral.

5. Patenga Sea Beach, Chattogram

Patenga Sea Beach is Chattogram’s own beach, where the Karnaphuli meets the bay. Much of the shore is a long embankment rather than sand. People come for the view of ships waiting at anchor, planes passing low and the sunset, with food stalls along the promenade. Do not swim: the currents at the river mouth are strong and the shore is rocky.

6. Guliakhali Sea Beach, Sitakunda

Guliakhali Sea Beach is unlike any other: a flat green carpet of grass cut by tidal channels and dotted with young keora trees, with the Sitakunda hills behind. Take a bus up the highway to Sitakunda, then a CNG to the shore. Watch the tide — the channels fill quickly — and do not swim, as the mud is soft and the water deceptive.

7. Kuakata Sea Beach

At the southern tip of Patuakhali, Kuakata Sea Beach — Sagar Kanya, “daughter of the sea” — is one of the rare places where you can watch the sun both rise and set over the water. Rakhine villages and a Buddhist temple are close by, and new bridges have made it a direct bus ride from Dhaka. Swim only near the main beach in calm conditions and stay in shallow water; currents can be strong and there may be no lifeguards.

8. Shubhosandhya Beach, Barguna

Across the water from Kuakata, Shubhosandhya Beach in Taltali is long, quiet and lined with casuarina trees, known for its sunsets. Facilities are few, there are no lifeguards, and it pairs well with the nearby Tengragiri mangrove forest. Leave before dark if you are returning by road.

9. Nijhum Dwip

Nijhum Dwip, south of Hatiya in Noakhali, is a national park island where herds of spotted deer graze among keora mangroves, and its southern shore opens onto a long, empty beach. Getting there takes most of a day by road and boat, or an overnight launch from Dhaka to Hatiya. Avoid the crossings in rough weather and wear a life jacket on every boat.

How to swim safely at Bangladesh beaches

• Swim only at guarded beaches, between the flags, when lifeguards are on duty.
• Respect the flags: a red flag means no swimming.
• Stay in waist-deep water, never swim alone or after dark, and watch children every moment.
• Rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out. If caught, do not fight it: swim parallel to the shore, then back in.
• Stay out of the sea during storm signals and in the rough monsoon months.
• Wear a life jacket on every boat and trawler.
• The sun is strong even in winter: bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

Getting there by bus

Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Kuakata all have direct buses from Dhaka, and Barguna and Noakhali are well connected too. Search buses for your beach trip and book your seat early for winter weekends and holidays.