Cox’s Bazar holds a record that draws visitors from across Bangladesh and beyond: it has the world’s longest unbroken natural sea beach, stretching approximately 120 kilometers of continuous golden sand along the Bay of Bengal coast. This extraordinary beach, combined with clear hill streams, waterfalls, coral islands, and a coastal landscape that includes mangrove forests and marine national parks, makes Cox’s Bazar the most visited tourist destination in Bangladesh. Here are the ten destinations that define this spectacular district.
1. Cox’s Bazar Main Beach (Laboni and Kolatoli)
The main beach at Cox’s Bazar, centered on the Laboni and Kolatoli beach areas near the town, is where most visitors experience the world’s longest beach. The beach is wide, golden, and gently sloping, with waves from the Bay of Bengal providing a constant visual and auditory backdrop. The beach promenade has hotels, restaurants, and activity vendors backing onto the sand, creating a lively seaside resort atmosphere.
What to Expect?
A classic seaside resort experience at an extraordinary scale: the beach stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions. Sunrise and sunset on the beach are particularly beautiful, with the long horizon and gentle surf creating scenes of genuine natural grandeur. The promenade area behind the beach has good food options, souvenir markets, and the social energy of Bangladesh’s most visited tourism destination.
Tips:
- Sunrise is the most atmospheric and peaceful time; the beach is quieter and the light is extraordinary.
- Weekend and holiday crowds can be very large; weekday visits are more comfortable.
- The beach water is appropriate for wading in the shallower sections; swimming conditions depend on the season and should be assessed locally.
- The hotel strip offers accommodation at every price point; book in advance for the peak October through February season.
Opening Hours: Beach accessible year-round.
📍 Google Maps: Cox’s Bazar Main Beach Bangladesh
2. Himchari National Park and Waterfall
Himchari, about 12 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar Town, is a national park where a seasonal waterfall drops through forested hills directly onto the beach below. The combination of waterfall, forest, hill viewpoints, and beach in a single location makes Himchari one of the most dramatic natural sites in Cox’s Bazar district.
What to Expect?
The Himchari waterfall is most impressive during and immediately after the monsoon (June through October) when the flow is strong. The national park’s hill trails give elevated views across the Bay of Bengal, and the beach below the waterfall is less crowded than the main town beach. The park has wildlife including various monkey species and forest birds.
Tips:
- Monsoon and post-monsoon (July through October) for the most powerful waterfall.
- The hill viewpoint gives one of the best panoramic views of the Cox’s Bazar coastline.
- Wear sturdy footwear for the hill trails.
- CNG auto-rickshaws cover the route from Cox’s Bazar Town to Himchari regularly.
Opening Hours: Open daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; entry fee applies.
📍 Google Maps: Himchari National Park Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
3. Inani Beach
Inani Beach, about 32 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar Town, is considered by many to be the most beautiful section of the Cox’s Bazar coast. Unlike the main town beach, Inani has unusual rock formations of dark stone emerging from the sand at low tide, creating a visually distinctive landscape that photographs dramatically. The beach is quieter and more natural than the crowded town beach.
What to Expect?
A less crowded beach with dark rock outcrops emerging from golden sand at low tide, clear turquoise water in the rock pools at certain tidal states, and the general beauty of a relatively undeveloped section of the world’s longest beach. The rock formations create natural pools and channels that are interesting to explore on foot at low tide.
Tips:
- Visit at low tide for the most dramatic rock formation exposure.
- The drive from Cox’s Bazar Town to Inani via the coastal Marine Drive is one of the most scenic roads in Bangladesh.
- Arrive before noon; the beach gets more crowded as the day progresses.
- Seafood restaurants near Inani serve excellent fresh catch.
Opening Hours: Beach accessible year-round.
📍 Google Maps: Inani Beach Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
4. Marine Drive (Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf)
The Marine Drive, running approximately 80 kilometers from Cox’s Bazar south to Teknaf, is one of the most scenic coastal roads in South Asia. The road runs along the beach on one side and the forested hills on the other, passing through fishing villages, beach viewpoints, and the continuously changing scenery of the Bay of Bengal coast.
What to Expect?
A coastal drive of extraordinary beauty: the beach visible throughout on the western side, hills and forest on the east, and the changing light of the Bay of Bengal creating different scenes at different times of day. Several viewpoints and stopping places along the road give access to the beach and sea views. Fishing villages along the route provide glimpses of the working coastal life that has characterized this stretch of coast for generations.
Tips:
- Drive in the morning for the best light and clearest sea views.
- Stop at Inani, Shamlapur, and other viewpoints along the route.
- The full Marine Drive from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf takes approximately 2 to 3 hours with stops.
- Hire a private vehicle for the most flexible exploration.
Opening Hours: Road accessible year-round.
📍 Google Maps: Marine Drive Cox’s Bazar Teknaf Bangladesh
5. Saint Martin’s Island
Saint Martin’s Island is Bangladesh’s only coral island, a small landmass of approximately 8 square kilometers at the southernmost tip of the country in the Bay of Bengal. The island is famous for its clear turquoise water, coral reef, white sandy beaches, and the remarkable clarity of its coastal waters compared to the mainland coast. It is one of the most beautiful natural destinations in the entire country.
What to Expect?
Clear coral-reef water with excellent snorkeling and boat ride opportunities, white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms, and the peaceful character of a small island community. The island has limited vehicle access, which makes it genuinely quieter than mainland Cox’s Bazar. Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses to resort-level facilities.
Tips:
- Boats depart from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s daily during the tourist season (October to April); the crossing takes 2 to 3 hours.
- Overnight stays are strongly recommended; the island has a completely different character after day trippers leave on the afternoon boat.
- Snorkeling equipment can be hired on the island.
- Boat service stops during monsoon (May through September) due to rough seas.
- The southern end of the island (Chera Dwip, accessible only at low tide) is the most pristine section.
Opening Hours: Accessible by boat October through April.
📍 Google Maps: Saint Martin Island Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
6. Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary and Naf River
Teknaf, at the southern tip of the Cox’s Bazar coastal strip, is where Bangladesh narrows to a point between the Bay of Bengal and the Naf River (which forms the border with Myanmar). The Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary covers the hillside on the eastern side of this peninsula, and the Naf River gives the border area a dramatic river landscape.
What to Expect?
A town at the confluence of river, sea, and forest with a distinct frontier character. The Naf River from Teknaf gives views across to the Myanmar shore. The wildlife sanctuary’s forested hills are visible from the town. The boat terminal for Saint Martin’s Island is the main focus of the town’s tourism infrastructure.
Tips:
- The Naf River bank at Teknaf gives you the unique experience of looking across into Myanmar.
- Observe all border zone regulations near the river.
- The Teknaf area’s seafood is particularly fresh; the fishing community here supplies much of Cox’s Bazar’s catch.
Opening Hours: Town and border area accessible year-round.
📍 Google Maps: Teknaf Naf River Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
7. Ramu Upazila and Buddhist Heritage
Ramu Upazila, about 10 kilometers from Cox’s Bazar Town, has a significant Buddhist community with a collection of temples, pagodas, and monasteries that reflect the district’s religious diversity. The Ramu area has the densest concentration of Buddhist religious architecture in Bangladesh outside of Rangamati and Bandarban.
What to Expect?
A cluster of Buddhist temples and pagodas in a town setting, with the larger monasteries displaying significant Buddha statues, religious art, and architectural decoration. The Ramu area is an active religious center for the local Buddhist community, and the temples have a vibrant, maintained character.
Tips:
- The Ramu temples are best visited in the morning when the light is best for photography and the atmosphere is most peaceful.
- Respectful dress is required; remove shoes before entering temple buildings.
- The Buddhist Festival of lights (Probarana Purnima) in October sees the temples beautifully illuminated.
Opening Hours: Temples open daily; most active in mornings.
📍 Google Maps: Ramu Buddhist Temple Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
8. Cox’s Bazar Town Market and Burmese Market
The Cox’s Bazar town market, particularly the section known as the Burmese Market, sells goods from Myanmar brought in through the Teknaf border trade. Lacquerware, traditional fabrics, dried seafood, and household goods from Myanmar are available alongside local handicrafts, creating a market with a distinctly border-trade character.
What to Expect?
A lively market with the specific quality of a border town commercial zone: goods from two countries, traders with connections across the Naf River, and a commercial variety not found in the markets of the Bangladesh interior. The seafood section of the market is particularly impressive in its scale and freshness.
Tips:
- Morning is the most active market time.
- The Burmese lacquerware makes an excellent and distinctive souvenir.
- Exercise normal market caution with purchases; examine goods before buying.
Opening Hours: Market active most of the day; most vibrant 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
📍 Google Maps: Cox’s Bazar Burmese Market Bangladesh
9. Maheshkhali Island
Maheshkhali is a tidal island off the Cox’s Bazar coast, accessible by speedboat in approximately 30 minutes. The island has a significant Hindu temple complex (the Adinath Shiva Temple on a hilltop is the most important), fishing communities with a distinct island character, and coastal mangrove landscapes that provide a different ecosystem experience from the main beach.
What to Expect?
A ferry crossing to an island community with its own distinct character: the Adinath Temple on the hill provides panoramic island views, the fishing community’s lifestyle differs from the mainland, and the mangrove coastline on the island’s sheltered eastern side has a quiet, natural quality.
Tips:
- Speedboats depart from Cox’s Bazar Town pier to Maheshkhali regularly during daylight hours.
- The Adinath Temple on the hilltop is the main destination; climbing the steps gives excellent views.
- The island market town is active and worth exploring before or after the temple visit.
Opening Hours: Boat services during daylight; temple open daily.
📍 Google Maps: Maheshkhali Island Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
10. Dulahazara Safari Park
Dulahazara Safari Park, located about 50 kilometers north of Cox’s Bazar Town on the road to Chattogram, is Bangladesh’s most significant safari park and a major wildlife conservation facility. The park houses a range of Bengal wildlife species including tigers, elephants, deer, and various primates in large enclosures designed to approximate natural habitat.
What to Expect?
A managed wildlife park with Bangladesh’s largest collection of native wildlife species in enclosures. The Bengal Tiger enclosure and the elephant herd are the primary draws. The park’s forested setting in the Cox’s Bazar hill terrain gives it a more natural character than a conventional zoo.
Tips:
- Morning visits offer the most active wildlife behavior.
- The park is large; a bicycle or golf cart hire within the park saves significant walking.
- Combine with the Marine Drive coastal scenery for a full Cox’s Bazar district day.
Opening Hours: Open daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; entry fee applies.
📍 Google Maps: Dulahazara Safari Park Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh
Getting There, Getting Around, and Best Time to Visit
From Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar: Multiple daily flights from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar Airport take approximately one hour, making it the most practical option. AC bus services from Dhaka take 10 to 12 hours. From Chattogram, AC buses take 4 to 5 hours. Local Transport: CNG auto-rickshaws cover Cox’s Bazar Town and nearby sites. For Marine Drive and Teknaf, hire a private vehicle. Speedboats from the pier for Maheshkhali and Saint Martin’s departure from Teknaf. Best Time: October through April. Monsoon (May through September) brings rough seas, suspends boat services, and heavy rainfall.