Satla Shapla Beel, Barishal
Photo: Lonely Explorer · CC BY-SA 4.0

Barishal District · Barishal Division · সাতলা শাপলা বিল

Satla Shapla Beel travel guide

Red water lilies cover the wetland in the monsoon and autumn; loveliest by boat at dawn.

🗓️ Best time to visitAugust–October; 6–9 am
⏱ How long it takes2–3 hours
💰 Estimated costSmall boat ৳200–400 per hour

At a glance

Location
Satla, Wazirpur
Area
Several thousand acres of low land
Flower
Red water lily (wild)
Best time
August–October, 6–9 am

History and details

On the low land of Satla union, on the border of Wazirpur (Barishal) and Kotalipara (Gopalganj), hundreds of thousands of red water lilies bloom naturally in the monsoon and autumn. This wetland of red flowers stretching to the horizon is now known as the 'kingdom of water lilies'.

For local people the lilies are a livelihood as well as a sight — they are picked by boat at dawn and sold at market, and the stems are eaten as a vegetable. Once the sun is up and strong the flowers close, so dawn gives the best view.

Things to do

  • Go into the wetland by small boat at dawn
  • Watch the lilies being picked
  • Buy water-lily stems at the local market

How to get to Satla Shapla Beel

At Satla, Wazirpur; about 50 km from Barishal.

Barishal is about 160 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 3.5–4 hours (bus) / overnight (launch).

  • 🚢 By launch: Launches such as Sundarban, Parabat, Kirtankhola and Adventure from Sadarghat; deck ৳300–400, cabin ৳1,200–3,500, leaving around 9 pm.
  • 🚌 By bus: Via the Padma Bridge with Sakura, Hanif, Green Line; non-AC ৳550–700, AC ৳1,000–1,400.
  • ✈️ By air: Biman and US-Bangla; one way ৳3,500–5,500.

Where to stay

  • Hotel Grand Park
  • Mid-range hotels in town (৳1,200–3,000)

What to eat

Barishal's amra (hog plum), hilsa, Guthia sandesh

Good to know

  • Don't pick the flowers — they're part of local livelihoods
  • Stay in Barishal the night before and leave at dawn

More to see nearby

  • Guthia Mosque (30 km)
  • Kotalipara (Gopalganj)
  • Baghiar Beel

More places to visit in Barishal district

  • Guthia Mosque (Baitul Aman) — One of the country's most beautiful mosque complexes, with a huge pond, gardens and lighting.
  • Durgasagar Dighi — A pond of about 45 acres with an island in the middle; migratory birds in winter.
  • Oxford Mission Church — A huge red-brick church built in 1903, with remarkable architecture.

Location on the map