Kuakata (কুয়াকাটা): travel guide

The Daughter of the Sea: a wide sandy beach about 18 km long from where, it is said, both sunrise and sunset can be seen, with Rakhine Buddhist villages nearby.

Kuakata is in Patuakhali district, Barishal division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Kuakata and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Kuakata

  • Kerani Para (Rakhine village): Rakhine village known for skilled women weavers and winter shawls, with an old well said to have given Kuakata its name. Village, free entry
  • Crab Island (Lal Kakra Dwip): Quiet beach where thousands of red crabs roam; speedboats run to it from Kuakata beach from October to March. Island, free entry, best time: October to March
  • Kuakata Sea Beach (কুয়াকাটা সমুদ্র সৈকত): Wide sandy beach on the Bay of Bengal from where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. Wikipedia gives its length as about 18 km and width about 3 km; the Patuakhali district portal says about 15 km. Beach, free entry
  • Alipur-Mohipur Fishing Port: One of the largest fishing centres in the southern region, about 4 km north of Kuakata. Local Life, free entry, best time: Early morning when boats land catch
  • Fatrar Char Mangrove Forest: Protected mangrove forest on the western side of the beach, sometimes called the second Sundarban. Nature, free entry
  • Mishripara Buddhist Monastery: Monastery in a Rakhine community about 8 km east of the beach, described as housing the largest Buddha statue in the subcontinent. Religious, free entry
  • Seema Buddhist Monastery: Buddhist monastery at the start of the Rakhine village of Keranipara, home to a meditating Buddha image made of eight metals. An old well that gave Kuakata its name stands beside it. Religious, free entry
  • Gangamati Forest: Forest along the Gangamati canal east of the beach; a government portal says sunrise and sunset can both be seen there. Nature, free entry
  • Jahajmara Sea Beach (জাহাজমারা সমুদ্র সৈকত): Green island of about 500 acres in Rangabali upazila with keora, gewa and babla trees and birds; around 30 km south-west of Kuakata beach. Beach, free entry, best time: Tourist season (trawlers run then)
  • Char Bijoy (চর বিজয়): Island about 40 km south-east of Gangamati in the open sea, named Char Bijoy in December 2017 and known locally as Hairer Char; it stays above water about six months of the year, with red crabs and migratory birds, and fishermen drying fish there temporarily. Island, free entry, best time: Dry season (above water only about six months a year)

Where to stay in Kuakata

  • Blue Ocean Hotel and Resort (MidRange), about ৳3,600 - ৳4,250/night. Five minutes' walk to the beach
  • Rose Valley Motel and Resort (MidRange), about ৳2,500 - ৳6,500/night. Short walk from the beach
  • Hotel Graver Inn International (MidRange), about ৳5,000 - ৳7,000/night. Near the Rakhine women's market
  • Sikder Resort and Villas (Resort), about ৳7,590 - ৳34,155/night. Pool, jacuzzi, gym and buffet breakfast; Lake View tower and villas
  • Hotel Sky Palace (MidRange), about Check with hotel for current rates. Private hotel at Kuakata listed on the Patuakhali district portal
  • Banorupa Kuakata hotel (Budget)
  • D'more Kuakata Hotel & Resort (MidRange). Described on Booking.com as facing the beachfront
  • Sagar Kanya Resort Ltd (Resort), about Check with hotel for current rates. Resort at Kuakata listed on the Patuakhali district portal

Travel advice for Kuakata

  • Allow a long road leg from Barishal: A travel summary says it takes about 5-6 hours from Barishal to Kuakata because of road condition; road quality may have changed, so check locally.
  • Sun-dried fish (shutki) of Kuakata: The fish-drying village about 1 km west of the beach in Kalapara is busy from about November to March, with species such as loitta, churi and bhetki dried on platforms. Dried fish is sold locally and sent onward.
  • Hotel prices vary widely by offer: UNB's 2023 hotel list showed Kuakata rooms from about ৳2,500 to ৳55,920 a night, and some hotels run seasonal discounts, so confirm the current rate directly.
  • Expect crowds at Rush Purnima and Maghi Purnima: Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims gather at Kuakata for these two festivals, so book rooms early if travelling then.
  • Sunrise and sunset from the same beach: Kuakata's beach on the Bay of Bengal lets you watch both sunrise and sunset from the same spot (the district portal gives its length as about 15 km, Wikipedia says 18 km), so stay at least one night.
  • Seafood platter at Sikder Resort: A travel guide lists the restaurant at Sikder Resort and Villas, opposite the Eco Park, for its seafood platter.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

JatraSathi is a free Bangladesh trip planner in English and Bangla. Prices are estimates; check before you travel.