Nijhum Dwip (নিঝুম দ্বীপ): travel guide

Remote island national park teeming with spotted deer, fishing boats, and pristine tidal mangrove channels — accessible only by boat from Hatiya.

Nijhum Dwip is in Noakhali district, Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Nijhum Dwip and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Nijhum Dwip

  • Damar Char (দমার চর): A newly formed, largely untouched char east of Nijhum Dwip with a quiet beach often called the 'Virgin Beach', and a good spot for winter migratory birds. Island, free entry, best time: Winter (migratory birds)
  • Nijhum Beach (নামার বাজার সৈকত): The island's main beach, a 10-minute walk from Namar Bazar near most hotels; the best spot for sunrise and sunset, with a wide sandy shore. Beach, free entry, best time: October to mid-April (dry; monsoon brings deep mud)
  • Nijhum Dwip National Park (নিঝুম দ্বীপ জাতীয় উদ্যান): Mangrove (keora) forest declared a national park in 2001, best known for its large herds of spotted deer and winter migratory birds. Nature, free entry, best time: Winter (migratory birds)
  • Chowdhury Khal (চৌধুরীর খাল): A tidal canal through the mangrove forest where boats go in the late afternoon to see spotted deer coming out to graze and drink. Nature, free entry, best time: October to mid-April (dry; monsoon brings deep mud), late afternoon
  • Choakhali Sea Beach: A quieter beach beside the Choakhali forest on Nijhum Dwip, listed alongside Namar Bazar beach as one of the island's two sea beaches. Beach, free entry, best time: October to mid-April (dry; monsoon brings deep mud)
  • Soakali Deer Spot: Spot on the main road through the park, about 10 minutes by cycle from town, where deer cross early morning. Nature, free entry, best time: Early morning
  • Kamlar Dwip (কমলার দ্বীপ): A part of the island along the Kamla canal, known for fresh hilsa; locals say it was named after oranges that washed ashore from a wrecked ship after a cyclone. Island, free entry, best time: October to mid-April (dry; monsoon brings deep mud)
  • Kabirajer Char (কবিরাজের চর): A char on the edge of the forest known for bird-watching and as the starting point for deer-spotting boat trips along Chowdhury Khal. Nature, free entry, best time: Winter (migratory birds)

Where to stay in Nijhum Dwip

  • Nijhum Dreamland (MidRange), about ৳2,000 - ৳6,000/night. Generator power 24/7, on the road to the ferry ghat
  • Forest Department Rest House (Nijhum Dwip) (Budget), about Check with the Forest Department for current rates. Government guesthouse inside the national park; book in advance through the Noakhali forest division
  • Nijhum Resort (MidRange), about Check with hotel for current rates. Zila Parishad-owned resort near Namar Bazar beach and the main camping field
  • Hotel Sheraton (Bandartila) (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. Simple local hotel near the Bandartila ghat (not affiliated with the Sheraton chain)
  • Hotel Sohel (Budget), about ৳1,500 - ৳2,000/night. Simple double rooms with balcony near the ship-building yard

Travel advice for Nijhum Dwip

  • Boat from Monpura: Boats also leave Monpura's fish terminal in Bhola, taking about 2.5 hours; they are roofless engine boats and shallow water can disrupt service.
  • Dhaka to Nijhum Dwip route: A launch leaves Sadarghat at 17:30 (cabin Tk 800, floor Tk 200, tickets sold on board) and reaches Hatiya's Tomruddin ghat 6:30-8:30. Then take a motorbike to Moktaria ghat, a ferry, and a ride to town. Fares are from a blog; confirm locally.
  • Bicycles and forest boat rides: Bicycles cost about Tk 200 a day but many paths are rough. A sunset forest boat ride was quoted about Tk 1,000 for one traveller; negotiate first.
  • No grid power and overnight rules: The island runs on solar power, so charging is hard unless a generator runs. A 2022 article says visitors are not officially allowed to stay overnight, so check with local authorities before booking.
  • Fried shrimp and sea fish at Namar Bazar: The small restaurants of Namar Bazar are popular for sea fish and fried shrimp; order ahead for a better meal. Small prawns are dried on platforms right in the bazaar.
  • Cheua shutki (dried fish): Cheua fish caught in winter is dried into shutki on the island and sold to buyers in Dhaka, Chattogram and Chandpur; look for it in the local bazaars.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

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