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Bhola, Barishal

Monpura

A green, remote island in the Meghna estuary, with mangrove plantations, spotted deer, fishing villages and wide views of sunrise and sunset over the river.

Local food to try

  • Fresh hilsa

    Monpura

    Straight from the Meghna, outside the fishing-ban periods.

  • Buffalo curd

    Monpura

    From the buffalo herds that graze the island’s chars.

  • River fish curry

    Monpura

    Simple home-style fish and rice in the bazar eateries.

Where to eat

  • The island’s main bazar

    Monpura

    Small eateries serving rice, fish and tea; choice is limited, so eat when you can.

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Where to stay

  • Simple guesthouses

    Monpura

    A few basic places to stay on the island; book ahead and check locally.

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  • Bhola town

    Bhola Sadar

    More choice on the mainland, if you do not want to stay on the island.

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History

Monpura is an island upazila of Bhola, cut off from the mainland by the wide Meghna estuary. Like the rest of the district it was built from river silt, and its shape keeps changing as new chars rise around it.

The island is known for its mangrove plantations, planted along the coast to protect the land from storms and erosion, and for its spotted deer, which live in the forest. Fishing and farming are the main livelihoods, and buffalo graze on the open chars.

Monpura reached a wider audience through the popular Bangla film Monpura (2009), which showed its lonely river landscapes. For travellers it is a place to slow down: quiet villages, long walks along the embankments, and sunrise and sunset over open water.

Tour plans

Two days on Monpura

2 days

  1. Step 1: Cross the Meghna

    Reach Monpura by launch or trawler in the morning, after checking the weather and the boat times.

  2. Step 2: Settle in at the bazar

    Check in, have a fish-and-rice lunch and arrange transport around the island.

  3. Step 3: Sunset on the embankment

    Walk the embankment in the late afternoon and watch the sun set over the river.

  4. Step 4: Sunrise and the mangroves

    Get up early for sunrise, then visit the mangrove plantations and look quietly for deer.

  5. Step 5: Head back

    Take a midday boat back to the mainland, leaving plenty of daylight for the crossing.

Plan your visit

Best time to visit

November to February, when the Meghna is calm; avoid the monsoon and cyclone season

How to get there

Monpura lies across the Meghna from the Bhola mainland. Launches and trawlers cross from the mainland, mostly from the Tazumuddin side, and some launches from Dhaka’s Sadarghat call at Monpura. Crossings depend on tide and weather — check times locally, and do not cross in rough weather.

Getting around

  • Motorbikes and battery auto-rickshaws run on the island’s roads from the main bazar.
  • Walking along the embankments is the best way to see the river, the mangroves and village life.
  • Local boats can be hired to the nearby chars in calm weather; agree on the trip before you board.

Travel tips

  • Check the weather forecast and storm signals before crossing; if a signal is up for river ports, wait — small trawlers are not safe in rough water.
  • Wear or keep a life jacket within reach on trawlers and speedboats, and avoid overloaded boats.
  • Do not plan to cross after dark; find out the last boat back before you set out.
  • Facilities are basic: carry cash, a torch, water, mosquito repellent and any medicines you need.
  • Arrange accommodation in advance, and allow a spare day in case boats do not run.
  • Keep your distance from the deer and do not feed them.

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