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A Visit to Moheshkhali Island

Cox’s Bazar is a popular destination for tourists who come to Bangladesh. Its diverse attractions, such as street vendors, large markets and noteworthy sights, see an influx of thousands of visitors each year. But there is one jewel amongst the attractions of Cox’s Bazar, namely Moheshkhali Island. It is an island that is known for its beauty and tranquility, and many eager rickshaw operators patiently await the arrival of visitors, to offer them a unique tour of the island.

Moheshkhali Island covers an area of approximately two hundred and sixty-eight square kilometers, and is blanketed in breathtaking mangrove jungles, spectacular ranges of hills and striking landscapes, with some hills standing at just over three hundred meters. It is these rare natural qualities that lure visitors to the island. The island has been the subject of great debates between conservationists and government officials, in regard to protecting Moheshkhali against deforestation and harm to the wildlife and vegetation.
Some of the main attractions on Moheshkhali are the picturesque and peaceful beaches. The Shrine of Adinath, which is dedicated to Shiva, the quaint Buddhist temple and the pagoda are also stunning attractions to visit on the island. The recent completion of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam Bridge has connected the island to the mainland, but traveling to Moheshkhali by boat is recommended, as it is terrific way to catch precious memories on film and add another adventure to your exploration of Bangladesh. The two lane bridge has made life much easier for the islanders, allowing them to travel and move goods. They are known for the production of salt, battle leaf and shrimp. The bridge is three hundred and forty-seven meters in length and just over seven meters wide.
Moheshkhali has a unique and harmonious atmosphere. Visitors will enjoy the simplicity of the island lifestyle and are guaranteed to meet very colorful characters along the way. How and where to start discovering the magic of Moheshkhali is up to you, but the island will provide an unforgettable journey through one of the most beautiful destinations in Bangladesh.

:: Himchori and Inani Beach
There are many attractions for the tourists around Cox’s Bazaar. From Cox’s Bazaar Sea shore, you can go to these places by jeep and it is really exotic to drive on the seashore. Himchori is famous for waterfall, though in the winter season it dwindles but during the rainy season it’s really a fabulous and full waterfall can be enjoyed. Inani beach is famous for the rock and coral boulders; you will find big coral boulders in this beach. You can plan a trip to Inani beach via Himchory for a half day or may be a full day sightseeing. Please take packet lunch with you.
:: Moheshkhali Island
It is another attraction for the tourists who go to Cox’s Bazaar. An island off the coast of Cox's Bazar. It has an area of 268 square kilometers. Through the center of the island and along the eastern coastline rises, a range of low hills, 300 feet high; but the coast to the west and north is a low-lying treat, fringed by mangrove jungle. In the hills on the coast is built the shrine of Adinath, dedicated to Siva. By its side on the same hill is Buddhist Pagoda. You can go to this Island by local motorboat called trawler or by speedboat. By trawler, it takes an hour and a half and by speedboat, it takes only half an hour to reach this Island. You will find mangrove forests, hilly areas, salt field etc. This island is famous for Buddhist Temple and Pagoda; you can enjoy a full day sight seeing if you intend to visit Sonadia and some other Islands nearby. In the morning you can start for Moheskhali, spend time to watch Moheskhali’s tourist places, take lunch there and on return you can visit Sonadia and other nearby Islands where you can sea the live fishing & fishermen lifestyle; By the afternoon you can come back to Cox’s Bazaar.
:: Sonadia Island
It is about seven kilometer of Cox's Bazar and about nine square kilometer in area. The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters. During winter, fisherman set up temporary camps on the island and Dries Sea fishes, which they catch from Sea.

Sunset in coxbazar

Cox Bazar

COX’S BAZAR : THE CAPITAL OF TOURISM

Miles of golden sands, towering cliffs, surfing waves, rare conch shells, colorful pagodas, Buddhist temples and tribes, delightful sea-food--this is Cox's Bazar, the tourist capital of Bangladesh. Having the world's longest (120 kilometers.) beach sloping gently down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar which is the most attractive tourist spots for Bangladesh and not only for Bangladesh it's the longest sea beach in the world. 
Cox's Bazar sea beach is crowded almost through out the year. It  is shark free and good for bathing, swiming & sun-bathing. Lot's of local tourist & foreign tourist come Cox's Bazar to spend their leisure
.

 The name Cox's Bazar Beach comes from Captain Cox who was a British officer that was compassionate towards the local people and had gain much favor there.

 The beauty of the setting-sun behind the waves of the sea is  awsome.

Cox’s Bazar, mostly famous for its beautiful sea beach and the sunset, has several other attractions, including:

Laboni Beach

sea shore

Laboni beach is considered as the main beach area of Cox’s Bazar as is at the central location and close to town which is always crowded by tourists. Visitors can have their sunbathe, surf, jog, cycle, and swim. It is best for swimming and relaxation.  A lot of  souvenir shops around the area can attract tourist to purchase the souvenirs, beach accessories and some other attarctive stuffs.

Himchari: 

himchari

A beauty spot in the solitude of the sea which situated southeast from Cox's Bazar along the beach. During journey to  himchari you can see donkey or elephant.

Journey to Himchari is also exciting because the road to Himchari runs by the lovely green hills on one side and open blue sea on the other side. The scenery of the two side of the road pleased all. Te most beautiful is the waterfall which increase the beauty of Himchari. 

Enani Beach 
Enani beach is located at south of Cox's bazar where you will find hilly areas. Inani is a quiet tourist place with exuberance of nature. Reachable by public transport plying between Cox's Bazar- Teknaf and by four wheel jeeps driving along the beach.

Moheshkhali Island

It is another attraction for the tourists which is an island off the coast of Cox's Bazar having an area of 268 square kilometers. Here you can find hilly areas,small mangrove areas. This island is famous for Buddhist Temple and Pagoda. You can enjoy a full day by sight seeing. You can visit also Sonadia and some other Islands nearby.


Sonadia
This is a maiden island of Cox's Bazar across the Bay. Under the wide open blue sky, you can visit  fishing community, dry fish processing and colonies of the red. Sea crabs are also attractions of the island.


Teknaf

Teknaf is a romantic old-world border township in the southern tip of Bangladesh territory looking up to the Myanmar high hill ranges across the river Naf. You can reach there by a public transport that leaves Cox's Bazar every hour. It is about 2 hours' journey each way. Teknaf is fully romantic place for tourist.


Saint Martins

Country's only coral island is Saint Martin's known locally is Narikel Jinjira. Attractions are beaches around the island, coral stones, coconut groves, sea crabs, turtle shells and pearls. Know more about Saint martin on my blog which title is SAINT MARIN - THE DREAM ISLAND




You will get more information on COX’S BAZAR in following website

The Quine of Bay of Bangle

The Quine of Bay of Bangle

BY popular choice, Cox's Bazar has recently been ranked as one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World'. A favourite spot for many in Bangladesh, this fishing port with its adjoining and unbroken 125 km of natural, gentle, sloping sandy beach, has once again emerged as an important potential tourist destination.
Located 150 km south of Chittagong, in south eastern Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar derived its name from Captain Hiram Cox, an officer of the British East India Company who was appointed as the Superintendent of that outpost after Warren Hastings became the Governor General of Bengal. A compassionate soul, Cox successfully mediated in the century long conflict between Arakan refugees and local Rakhains. He also made significant progress in the rehabilitation of refugees in the area. Unfortunately, he passed away prematurely in 1799 before he could complete his task. Nevertheless, the local population decided to honour this civil servant's memory by building a small market near the beach and naming it after him -- Cox's Bazaar (Cox's Market).
My only visit to this beautiful destination had been in January 1971. I failed to revisit the scene subsequently, either due to shortage of time or conflicting engagements. Consequently, when I received an invitation recently to attend an important meeting being held there, I decided to take up the opportunity. I did so with some trepidation.
I wanted to savour the sea but also wanted to find out whether necessary tourist facilities had evolved over the last four decades in and around this stunning location. I wanted to ascertain why Cox's Bazar was lagging behind as a major international tourist destination. The important question was whether this was just due to lack of publicity or was it due to absence of necessary associated factors related to international tourism. I received my answers on both accounts.

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