Barishal: The Night Launch, the Floating Guava Market, Guthia Mosque and Satla's Water Lilies
An overnight launch from Sadarghat to Barishal, then a dawn market of boats piled with guavas on the canals. Choosing a launch cabin and fares, when and how to reach the Bhimruli and Atghar-Kuriana floating markets, Guthia Mosque, Durgasagar, the Satla water-lily wetland and a 2-day plan.
- Launch
- Leaves Sadarghat 8–9 pm, reaches Barishal at dawn
- Launch fare
- Deck ৳300–400, cabin ৳1,200–3,500
- Floating market
- July–September, in the morning
- How long
- 2 days (2 nights on the launch)
- Cost
- ৳4,000–8,000 per person
Trip ticket
Barishal is called the Venice of Bengal, and the best way to see the region starts at Sadarghat. Board a huge two- or three-deck launch at night, leave the Buriganga and head south via the Meghna, sitting on deck in the river breeze watching the lights of other launches, and wake at dawn to Barishal on the bank of the Kirtankhola. Then comes a market of boats loaded with green guavas on the canals, something you won't see like this anywhere else in the country. This guide lays out the whole trip.
The night launch
When and where
Launches to Barishal usually leave Dhaka's Sadarghat terminal between 8 and 9 pm and reach Barishal between 4 and 6 am. Big launches from many companies, including Sundarban, Parabat, Kirtankhola, Adventure and Surovi, run this route. Return launches leave Barishal at night too.
Which ticket to buy
| Class | Approximate fare (one way) | What it's like |
|---|---|---|
| Deck | ৳300–400 | A sheet on the open floor; cheapest and most crowded |
| Single cabin | ৳1,200–1,800 | One bed in a lockable room |
| Double cabin | ৳2,200–3,000 | A bed for two |
| VIP/family cabin | ৳3,000–3,500+ | A larger room with its own bathroom |
Cabins sell out fast on holidays and around Eid. Book ahead at the company counter or by phone; a few companies sell tickets online too.
What to enjoy on board
- The lights of Sadarghat and hundreds of boats as you leave
- The night river and breeze from the roof or deck
- Rice with hilsa or chicken for dinner in the launch restaurant
- Sunrise over the Kirtankhola river at dawn
The floating guava market
The canal-laced villages on the borders of Barishal, Jhalokati and Pirojpur are the country's main guava-growing area. In season, farmers pick guavas from their orchards and bring them by boat to set spots on the canals, where wholesalers also arrive by boat to buy. Hundreds of boats together make a floating market.
When to go
- Season: roughly July to September; busiest in August.
- Time: 7 to 11 am; the market breaks up after midday.
- Out of season you'll see the canals and orchards, but not the floating market.
Where
| Market | Where | How |
|---|---|---|
| Bhimruli | Jhalokati, about 15 km from town | Bus from Barishal to Jhalokati, then auto, then boat |
| Atghar-Kuriana | Nesarabad (Swarupkathi), Pirojpur | From Barishal via Banaripara or Swarupkathi by auto/boat |
At the market, hire a small boat to go round the canals. You can buy fresh guavas straight from the boats, very cheaply. With the farmer's permission you can walk in the nearby guava orchards.
More to see in Barishal
Guthia Mosque (Baitul Aman)
About 20 km from the city at Guthia in Wazirpur. With its huge pond, gardens and white domes and minaret, this mosque complex is one of the most beautiful in the country, and lovelier still when lit up in the evening. Visitors are limited at prayer times.
Durgasagar
At Madhabpasha in Babuganj, about 11 km from the city: a huge pond of about 45 acres with a small island in the middle, lined with trees. Migratory birds come in winter.
Satla water-lily wetland
At Satla in Wazirpur, about 50 km from Barishal. In the monsoon and autumn (roughly August to October) red water lilies cover the wetland. It's loveliest by boat at dawn, because the lilies close as the day goes on.
Oxford Mission Church
A huge red-brick church built in 1903 on Bogura Road in the city, with remarkable architecture. You may need permission to go inside.
A 2-day plan (July–September)
- Night 1: launch from Sadarghat to Barishal
- Day 1, dawn: arrive, breakfast, then via Jhalokati to the Bhimruli floating market (7–11 am)
- Day 1, afternoon: rest in town, then Durgasagar and Guthia Mosque, with the evening lights
- Day 2, dawn: the Satla water-lily wetland (August–October)
- Day 2, midday: the Oxford Mission Church and Barishal food in town
- Night 2: launch back to Dhaka
Short on time? Take a bus via the Padma Bridge (3.5–4 hours), though you'll miss the launch experience.
What to eat
- Hilsa: fresh river hilsa, on the launch and in town
- Barishal amra (hog plum): in season
- Guthia's sandesh: at Guthia Bazar
- Guavas: straight from the boats at the floating market
Budget
Per person, sharing a launch cabin (2 people):
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Launch, return (shared double cabin) | ৳2,200–3,000 |
| Local transport (Jhalokati, Guthia, Satla) | ৳800–1,500 |
| Boats (floating market, Satla) | ৳300–700 |
| Food (2 days) | ৳800–1,500 |
| Daytime hotel to rest (optional, shared) | ৳0–1,200 |
| Total | ৳4,100–7,900 |
Travelling on the deck cuts the cost a lot.
Things to remember
- Keep valuables with you on the launch and lock your cabin
- Ask for a life jacket in boats if you can't swim
- Ask farmers and boat people before photographing them
- Ask permission before entering a guava orchard, and don't pick from the trees
More details in the Barishal, Jhalokati and Pirojpur district guides. For the sea, Kuakata is only a few hours from Barishal: read the Kuakata travel guide.
Questions and answers
When does the launch from Dhaka to Barishal leave?
Usually between 8 and 9 pm from Sadarghat, reaching Barishal between 4 and 6 am.
How much is a cabin on the Barishal launch?
Roughly ৳1,200–1,800 for a single cabin, ৳2,200–3,000 for a double, and more for VIP cabins. Deck fares are ৳300–400.
When is the floating guava market held?
July to September, every morning between 7 and 11 am. It's busiest in August.
Where is the floating guava market?
The two best known are Bhimruli in Jhalokati and Atghar-Kuriana in Nesarabad, Pirojpur, both easy to reach from Barishal.
When do the water lilies bloom at Satla?
In the monsoon and autumn, roughly August to October. Go at dawn to see them open.
See it on the map, plan your trip
Look up the places, routes and costs, then put your own trip together.
