COX BAZAR - THE WORLD'S LONGEST NATURAL SEA BEACH

There is always a dispute of likes and dislikes with respect to mountains and beaches. Mountains change colour, complexion, and cosmetics based on season, time of the day, and time of the year.

But the sea remains static throughout the year except for changes in the flow of waves depending upon weather and season. But both are unique in their gallant presence and enormous size. 

Despite being uniform, there are beaches which attract tourists from all over the world and that too in all seasons of the year. One such beach is Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.

Cox’s Bazar Beach

Cox’s Bazar is the second-longest beach covering a coastline of 150 kilometers after Ninety Mile Beach in Australia which is 151 kilometers long. However, as per records, Cox’s Bazar is the longest natural beach in the world.  

Cox’s Bazar Beach is one of the most coveted tourist destinations of not only Bangladesh but also tourists and travellers from other countries as well who visit the beach to enjoy its serenity and robustness.

The beach is totally uniform in width and the water of the Bay of Bengal touches the shore, playing with shimmering sunlight illuminating the sand. Walking on the beach for a long stretch definitely enriches the mind of the tourists with joy.

The entire beach is divided into parts, though placed in the same stretch. The major beaches, where the tourists visit are Kolatoli, Innani, Sugandha, Himchhari. Laboni which are within the close periphery of the town of Cox’s Bazar.

Shacks with colourful umbrellas are placed in Sugandha Beach where the tourists can take shelter on easy chairs to avoid scorching sun rays. Others are found to be either resting in the blue waters or playing hide or seek with the waves, swimming, engaging in water sports, or enjoying a stroll on the beach. However, since Bangladesh is an Islamic country, sunbathing is not very common. This is the reason why European and American tourists avoid the beach despite being one of the best beaches in the world.

Visa Formalities

Visa is available free of cost from Bangladesh Embassy and Consulates in different cities of India. Please check the website http://bdhc-kolkata.org/

How to Reach

Cox’s Bazar is 400 kilometers and 150 kilometers from Dhaka and Chittagong by road and is well connected.

The nearest international airport is Chittagong (122 kilometers) and there is a domestic airport in Cox’s Bazar (22 kilometers)

Cox’s Bazar is not directly connected by any railway track and the proposed station is under construction.

Boarding & Lodging

There are umpteen numbers of hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses, resorts along the coastline, and on the road connecting Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf. The cost of stay is varied depending upon the facilities provided.

Enjoying a cup of coffee with fish fry or vegetarian cuisines on any beach-side café is extremely enjoyable. The majority of the restaurants, attached to the hotel or on a stand-alone basis, provide local and continental cuisines. It is a heaven for the fish lovers as varieties of fishes both inland and marine are available in abundance having great taste. There is a huge market in Sugandha Beach where various kinds of dried fishes are being marketed for local consumption and transportation.  

Local Sight Seeing

There are various options for sightseeing. A tourist can either relax on the beach in the town of Cox’s Bazar or can move to various locations.

If a personal vehicle is not available, the sightseeing can be made by auto-rickshaw locally popular as CNG.

Stay for a couple of days is enough to cover the local as also nearby locations.

In addition to the keeping footprint on sand, the tourists can visit Burmese Market where mostly Chinese products are available.

The second day can be kept for a long drive along the coastal road up to Teknaf which is 80 kilometers from Cox’s Bazar. Few beaches like Himchhori, Darianagar, and Inani will be on the way.

The journey is pleasant with hills on one side and the sea on the other side of the road. There is a viewpoint at Himchhori on the hill, wherefrom a panoramic view of both land and the sea are visible.

The restaurants on the coastal road can cater to the requirement of food or beverages along with a short break in the journey. Along with beverages, green coconuts are available in plenty, which can quench the thirst.

My Experience

My tour of Bangladesh was for a fortnight which started with Dhaka followed by Sonargaon, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Kaptai, Kushthia and Shilaidaha.

Truly speaking, the best place in Bangladesh, I have seen was Cox’s Bazar. The beach was really superb and so attractive that I repented for not keeping at least three to four days.

I would request tourists/travellers visiting Bangladesh to include Cox’s Bazar in their itinerary, despite being around 400 kilometers away from Dhaka, otherwise you will really miss the most picturesque place in Bangladesh.