Guliakhali Sea Beach (গুলিয়াখালী সমুদ্র সৈকত)

The beach lies in Muradpur, Sitakunda upazila, about 5 km from Sitakunda bazar and the Dhaka to Chattogram highway. It faces the open water of the Bay of Bengal, and a ride of about 20 minutes by CNG from the bazar reaches the embankment.

The shoreline here is a mix of beach and coastal forest. Keora trees line the shore and grow right down onto the tidal flat, so the open sea lies on one side and a swamp-like mangrove edge on the other. The government has since declared Guliakhali a protected tourist area.

The most unusual feature is the carpet of short green grass that covers the flats between the trees and the water, cut through by narrow, winding creeks. At low tide the creek beds and the keora's pencil-like breathing roots are exposed; at high tide water spreads over the grass and the creeks fill to the brim.

The sea itself is shallow and usually gentle, with a muddy grey shore rather than white sand. Fishing boats work just offshore, and egrets and other waders feed along the creeks. There is no promenade or built facility, and the place feels more like a coastal meadow than a resort beach.

Entry is free. The beach suits a half-day visit, and the hours either side of low tide are the best for walking among the roots and creeks; a rising tide can make the way back awkward. Late afternoon brings the best light and the sunset over the channel, but transport back to the bazar thins out after dark.