Hidden place

Sonadia Island

সোনাদিয়া দ্বীপ

A remote sandbar island of mangroves, red crabs and empty beaches, important for migratory shorebirds.

At a glance

Where: Cox's Bazar district, Chattogram division
From Dhaka: 400 km to Cox's Bazar by road, 10–13 hours by bus or car
Best time: winter (Dec–Jan)
Time needed: About 5 h

Times and costs are estimates from our planner and the prices we collected. Check before you go.

See the place on video

Sonadia lies just off Maheshkhali and has almost no tourist infrastructure. Its beaches are wide and quiet, with red crabs scuttling across the sand, and the surrounding mudflats are known to birdwatchers as a winter stop for migratory shorebirds. Sea turtles have also nested on its shores. Visiting feels like seeing the coast before it was built up.

How to get there

Reserve a trawler from Cox's Bazar or travel via Maheshkhali; arrange the boat in advance with a local guide.

Good to know

There are no proper facilities, so carry water and food and take all rubbish back. Check the weather and avoid monsoon crossings.

Where to stay in Cox's Bazar

Common questions

Where is Sonadia Island?

Sonadia Island is in Cox's Bazar district, Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Cox's Bazar is about 400 km from Dhaka by road.

How do you get to Sonadia Island from Dhaka?

First get to Cox's Bazar, roughly 10–13 hours from Dhaka by bus or car. Then: Reserve a trawler from Cox's Bazar or travel via Maheshkhali; arrange the boat in advance with a local guide.