Nijhum Dwip Travel Guide and Cost 2026: The Launch Route, Deer and Where to Stay
An evening launch from Sadarghat to Hatiya, then a motorbike and a ferry to Nijhum Dwip. Deer at Chowdhury Khal, sunset at Namar Beach, mangrove forest and winter birds: the full route, costs and essential tips.
- From Dhaka
- About 12–14 hours by launch from Sadarghat to Hatiya
- Launch fare
- Deck ৳400–600, cabin ৳1,500–3,500
- How long
- 2 nights on the island, 2 nights on the launch
- Cost
- ৳4,000–6,000 per person on the deck, ৳7,000+ with a cabin
- Best time
- November–February: calm rivers, deer and birds
Trip ticket
Nijhum Dwip, which rose from the Meghna estuary south of Hatiya, is a pocket of quiet in a corner of the country. Herds of deer in keora mangrove forest, buffalo on the mudflats, migratory birds along the creeks in winter, and at night countless stars with no electric light to hide them. The island was declared a national park in 2001. The journey is long, but that's half the fun.
Getting there
Route 1: By launch from Sadarghat (the most popular)
- Sadarghat to Tamaruddi ghat, Hatiya: A launch leaves every day around 5:30 pm and arrives about 7–8 am the next morning. Departure times change now and then, so call the launch counter or check at Sadarghat the day before.
- Tamaruddi to Moktaria ghat: About 1–1.5 hours across Hatiya by motorbike or CNG. A motorbike carries two.
- Moktaria to Bondortila: A trawler ferry, 10–15 minutes.
- Bondortila to Namar Bazar: About half an hour by motorbike or auto. The places to stay are here.
| Leg | Approximate fare |
|---|---|
| Launch deck (one way) | ৳400–600 |
| Launch single cabin | ৳1,500–2,200 |
| Launch double cabin | ৳2,500–3,500 |
| Tamaruddi–Moktaria (motorbike for two) | ৳400–600 |
| Moktaria–Bondortila ferry | ৳20–30 per person |
| Bondortila–Namar Bazar (motorbike) | ৳150–250 |
Route 2: By bus via Noakhali
Take a bus from Dhaka to Sonapur in Noakhali (5–6 hours, ৳500–700), then go on to Chairman ghat. From there a sea truck or trawler crosses to Nalchira ghat on Hatiya (1.5–2 hours), and a motorbike takes you to Moktaria ghat. This is the daytime route, but sea trucks leave at set times each day according to the tide.
What to see on Nijhum Dwip
Chowdhury Khal and Kabiraj Char: the deer
The island's main draw is the spotted deer. The forest department released a few pairs in the 1970s, and their numbers later grew into the thousands. They are said to have fallen in recent years, but herds can still be seen at dawn or in the afternoon in the keora forest along Chowdhury Khal and on Kabiraj Char. Hire a boat from Namar Bazar along the creek, then walk quietly along the forest edge.
Namar Beach
The beach near Namar Bazar, where you can see both sunset and sunrise. At low tide mud and sand flats stretch far out.
Buffalo herds and fishing villages
Buffalo pens dot the chars, and herds swim the creeks in the morning and afternoon. In the fishing villages you'll see fish drying and nets being mended.
Winter birds
From November to February many kinds of migratory waterbirds and shorebirds come down on the mudflats and creek banks. Bring binoculars if you have them.
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A 4-night plan (Thursday to Sunday)
- Thursday evening: Launch from Sadarghat, night on the river
- Friday: Tamaruddi in the morning, check in at Namar Bazar before noon; sunset at Namar Beach
- Saturday: At dawn, a boat to Chowdhury Khal and Kabiraj Char for the deer; the fishing village at midday and a walk in the keora forest in the afternoon; a starry sky at night
- Sunday: Sunrise, then back to Tamaruddi for the midday launch, reaching Dhaka early on Monday
Ask at Tamaruddi ghat for the return launch time; it usually leaves around midday and reaches Sadarghat the next dawn.
Where to stay
Namar Bazar has Nijhum Resort (Obokash Parjatan) and a few cottages and guesthouses at ৳1,000–3,000. Power comes mostly from solar or generators, at set hours after dark. In the winter season, call ahead to book a room. Some people camp near Namar Beach; if you do, tell the locals and stay in a group.
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Cost (per person, group of four)
| Item | Budget (deck) | Comfortable (cabin) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch, return | ৳800–1,200 | ৳2,500–3,500 |
| Motorbikes and ferry on Hatiya (return) | ৳800–1,000 | ৳800–1,000 |
| Two nights' stay (shared) | ৳1,000–1,500 | ৳1,500–2,500 |
| Boat to see the deer (shared) | ৳300–500 | ৳300–500 |
| Food | ৳1,200–1,500 | ৳1,500–2,000 |
| Total | ৳4,100–5,700 | ৳6,600–9,500 |
Essential tips
- Don't board a launch or trawler in bad weather or when a storm signal is up; the Meghna is rough in the monsoon (June–September)
- There's no ATM on the island, so bring enough cash
- Mobile signal can be weak; bring a power bank
- Don't chase or feed the deer, and never light fires in the forest
- Bring your plastic and rubbish back with you
Questions and answers
How much does a Nijhum Dwip trip cost?
On the launch deck, sharing with four people, ৳4,000–6,000 per person. With a cabin and a better resort, ৳7,000–10,000.
Can you see deer on Nijhum Dwip?
Yes, but your chances are best at dawn and in the afternoon, by boat to Chowdhury Khal or Kabiraj Char. At midday the deer stay deep in the forest.
Can I combine Nijhum Dwip with Monpura?
Monpura is in Bhola district, just across the river from Hatiya. To do both, add at least one more day and check boat times in advance.
Is it suitable for a family?
In winter, when the river is calm, families can go, but take a cabin. The trip is long and facilities are basic, so it's hard with very young children or anyone unwell. For another launch trip, read our Barishal launch trip, and see every place in the district in the Noakhali guide.
See it on the map, plan your trip
Look up the places, routes and costs, then put your own trip together.
