Island, Cox's Bazar
Sonadia Islandসোনাদিয়া দ্বীপ
- Time needed
- A day by boat.
- best months
- Nov–Feb
- Cost
- Boat hire, shared or reserved.
A low island of about 9 km² north-west of town, off Maheshkhali: empty beach, dunes, mangroves, fishing camps and winter shorebirds, with no hotels at all.
At a glance
- Area
- About 9 km²
- Known for
- Winter shorebirds, turtle nesting
About
Sonadia is separated from Maheshkhali by a tidal channel and from Cox's Bazar by the mouth of the Bakkhali. It is a place of sand dunes, a long clean beach on the sea side, mangrove on the lee, seasonal fishing camps where shutki is dried, and in winter thousands of waders and gulls, including the rare spoon-billed sandpiper that birdwatchers come for. Turtles still nest on its beach.
There is nothing to stay in; people go for the day by boat from town or from Ghotibhanga on Maheshkhali, or camp with permission.
Getting there: Boats from the Kasturi ghat in town (about an hour) or from Ghotibhanga on Maheshkhali.
Things to do
- Go in winter with binoculars for the waders on the mudflats.
Good to know
- Take water and food; there are no shops.
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