Unseen Bangladesh
Cox's Bazar District · Chattogram Division · কক্সবাজার সমুদ্র সৈকত
Cox's Bazar Sea Beach travel guide
Sunsets, swimming and beach bikes at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli points; the world's longest beach.
At a glance
- Length
- About 120 km (the world's longest natural sea beach)
- Main points
- Laboni, Sugandha, Kolatoli
- Named after
- Captain Hiram Cox (1799)
- Best time
- November–March
History and details
In ancient times the area was known as 'Palonki' and was under the influence of the Arakan kingdom. In 1799 Captain Hiram Cox of the British East India Company came here to resettle refugees from Arakan; after his death a market was set up in his name — 'Cox Saheb's Bazar' became Cox's Bazar.
The unbroken sandy beach of about 120 km runs from Cox's Bazar town to Teknaf. The beach slopes so gently that you can walk a long way out in knee-deep water. Since independence it has gradually become the country's main tourist destination; there are now over a hundred hotels and resorts from Kolatoli to Laboni.
With the Rakhine community's Buddhist temple (Aggameda Khyang), the Burmese Market, the dried-fish villages and the Marine Drive, Cox's Bazar is a complete holiday destination, not just a beach. Nearby are Ramu, Moheshkhali, Inani, Teknaf and, in season, Saint Martin's Island.
Things to do
- Watch the sunset at Sugandha or Laboni Point
- Walk on the beach at dawn — fewer people and lovely light
- Buy Rakhine handicrafts and pickles at the Burmese Market
- Eat pomfret and coral fish at a seafood restaurant
- Parasailing or beach bikes (agree the price first)
How to get to Cox's Bazar Sea Beach
On foot or by auto from any hotel in town.
Cox's Bazar is about 400 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 8–10 hours (bus) / 1 hour (air).
- 🚌 By bus: Green Line, Hanif, Shyamoli, Saudia from Sayedabad/Arambagh/Kalabagan; non-AC ৳1,000–1,200, AC ৳2,000–3,000.
- 🚆 By train: Cox's Bazar Express and Parjatak Express from Kamalapur; fare about ৳700–2,000 (book tickets ahead).
- ✈️ By air: Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair, Air Astra; one way ৳5,000–9,000, 1 hour.
Where to stay
- Sayeman Beach Resort
- Long Beach Hotel
- Ocean Paradise Hotel
- Sea Pearl Beach Resort (Inani)
- Budget hotels at Kolatoli and Sugandha Point (৳1,500–3,000)
What to eat
Fried pomfret, lobster, prawns, coral fish, dried fish
Good to know
- Don't go in the sea when the red flag is up; follow the lifeguards
- The risk of being swept out is higher at low tide
- Book hotels ahead in December and holiday seasons
More to see nearby
- Himchari (12 km)
- Inani Beach (25 km)
- Ramu Buddhist monasteries (15 km)
- Moheshkhali Island (20 minutes by speedboat)
- Aggameda Khyang, in town
More places to visit in Cox's Bazar district
- Marine Drive — A road of about 80 km from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf, with hills on one side and the sea on the other.
- Himchari — Sea views from a hilltop and small waterfalls in the monsoon.
- Inani Beach — A clean, quiet beach covered in coral stones; more stones show at low tide.
- Saint Martin's Island — The country's only coral island; blue water, coconut palms and Chhera Dwip. Visitor seasons and numbers are limited by government rules — check them before you go.
- Ramu Buddhist Monasteries — Century-old Buddhist monasteries and a huge reclining Buddha (Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Centre).
- Moheshkhali Island — A hilly island; the Adinath Temple on its hilltop, and betel-leaf and salt farming.
- Sonadia Island — A deserted island; mangroves, red crabs and migratory birds.