Bangladesh offers an incredible mix of natural wonders, from the world's longest beach at Cox's Bazar to the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Experience vibrant culture, ancient heritage sites, and warm hospitality in this South Asian gem.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Bangladesh.
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- Lively and popular beach town with a festive local atmosphere
- beach chairs
- seafood restaurants
- beach vendors
- lifeguards at Laboni Point
- horse rides
- motorbike rentals
Cox's Bazar Beach
The world's longest unbroken natural sandy beach stretching 120 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal. The beach draws millions of Bangladeshi visitors annually and features a vibrant strip of hotels, restaurants, and seafood stalls behind the golden sands.
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- Serene and scenic with unique coral rock formations
- limited food stalls
- parking area
- natural shade from palms
Inani Beach
A pristine stretch of beach distinguished by its coral stones and clearer, deeper turquoise water compared to the main Cox's Bazar beach. Far fewer vendors and crowds make Inani the preferred choice for travellers seeking natural beauty and photography.
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- Dramatic and scenic with hillside waterfall
- national park entrance
- waterfall access
- basic food stalls
- scenic viewpoints
Himchari Beach
A picturesque beach where a natural hillside waterfall meets the sea, creating a unique landscape of rocks, forest, and ocean. The nearby Himchari National Park offers hiking trails through tropical forest above the beach.
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- Idyllic coral island with crystal-clear water
- guesthouses and basic hotels
- fresh seafood restaurants
- snorkelling gear rental
- boat tours around the island
St. Martin's Island
Bangladesh's only coral island and arguably its most beautiful destination, featuring pristine white-sand beaches, coconut groves, and coral reefs with colourful fish. The island closes to day visitors during monsoon; overnight stays give access to spectacular star-filled nights.
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- Peaceful and spiritual, ideal for sunrise and sunset viewing
- basic restaurants
- guesthouses
- beach chairs
- boat tours to nearby fishing villages
Kuakata Beach
Known as 'Sagar Kanya' (Daughter of the Sea), Kuakata's 18-kilometre beach is one of the few places on earth where you can watch both sunrise and sunset over the sea from the same spot. The nearby Rakhine Buddhist village and historic Misripara Buddhist temple add cultural depth.
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- Urban beach popular with local families for evening walks
- street food stalls
- bench seating
- parking
- nearby restaurants
- evening lighting
Patenga Beach
Chittagong's accessible city beach offering sea views, sea breeze, and bustling local atmosphere with jhalmuri and snack vendors. The beach fronts the Bay of Bengal with views of Chittagong Port's ship traffic, making it unique among Bangladeshi beaches.
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- Quiet and remote, at Bangladesh's southernmost tip
- basic restaurants
- boat embarkation point to St. Martin's Island
Teknaf Beach
The southernmost beach in Bangladesh where the Naf River meets the Bay of Bengal, with Myanmar's hills visible across the water. Far fewer tourists than Cox's Bazar make this a rewarding destination for travellers who want to experience raw, undeveloped coastal Bangladesh.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Inani Beach and Teknaf offer empty stretches of sand with minimal development and few vendors — ideal for reflection and photography away from the Cox's Bazar crowds.
Family
Family-friendly
Cox's Bazar main beach (Laboni Point) is set up for families with lifeguard supervision, horse rides, beach toys, and dozens of affordable seafood restaurants within walking distance.
Sport
Active & sporty
St. Martin's Island is the hub for snorkelling, reef exploration, and boat tours, while Himchari offers beach hiking through the national park to the waterfall.
Social
Lively scene
Cox's Bazar town beach is Bangladesh's social beach scene, packed with domestic tourists year-round, beach cricket, and the lively hotel and restaurant strip on Marine Drive.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Bangladesh memorable.
Snorkelling at St. Martin's Island
Bangladesh's only coral reef surrounds St. Martin's Island, offering snorkelling among colourful fish, coral formations, and sea turtles. Glass-bottomed boat tours are available for non-swimmers to view the reef.
St. Martin's Island
Surfing and Bodyboarding
Cox's Bazar receives consistent waves during the pre-monsoon and early monsoon period (March-June) and is developing a small but enthusiastic surf culture. Boards can be rented from local operators near Laboni Beach.
Cox's Bazar main beach, Inani Beach
Boat Fishing and Crab Catching
Local fishermen near Cox's Bazar and Kuakata offer sunrise fishing trips on traditional wooden boats, hauling nets for crabs, shrimp, and reef fish with genuine working crews.
Cox's Bazar fishing harbour, Kuakata
Sunrise and Sunset Photography
Kuakata is unique in offering both sunrise and sunset over the sea from the same beach — a rarity. Cox's Bazar's long westward-facing beach offers spectacular sunset light every evening.
Kuakata (both), Cox's Bazar (sunset)
Beach Horse Riding
Horseback rides along the Cox's Bazar shoreline at low tide are a popular activity, especially for children and first-time riders. Handlers accompany all riders along the packed wet sand.
Cox's Bazar main beach
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
November to March is peak beach season with warm, dry weather. April to October is monsoon/pre-monsoon season — seas are rough and swimming is dangerous. St. Martin's Island is only accessible by boat from November to March.
Getting there
Cox's Bazar beach is fully public and free. St. Martin's Island requires a ferry ticket (BDT 800-1500 return from Teknaf). Most beaches are accessible by public bus or hired vehicle.
On-beach facilities
Cox's Bazar and St. Martin's have the most developed facilities including restaurants, guesthouses, and basic beach services. Kuakata, Inani, and Patenga are far simpler.
Costs to budget
Beach chairs BDT 50-100/day, horse ride BDT 200-400, snorkelling rental at St. Martin's BDT 300-500
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.