Lighthouse ruins
Look for the old lighthouse foundations at low tide.
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Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ)
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One of 14 Things to Do in Cox's Bazar
In short
Kutubdia is an island upazila of Cox's Bazar district, across the Kutubdia channel from Chakaria and Pekua, known for a long quiet western beach, winter salt fields, wind turbines and the Kutub Auliya shrine. Visiting is free; the practical limit is the boat schedule, which usually ends at sunset. It suits a full day trip or a night away from the Cox's Bazar crowds.
Kutubdia Island is an island upazila of Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, lying off the coast of Chakaria and Pekua across the Kutubdia channel. Its long western beach, winter salt pans, lighthouse ruins and wind turbines suit travellers looking for a quiet coastal day trip or a night away from Cox's Bazar crowds.
History and the Kutub Auliya shrine
Banglapedia gives the upazila an area of about 215.8 sq km, though the sea has been eroding the island for over a century. Kutubdia became a thana in 1917 and an upazila in 1983. Tradition says it was settled late in the 15th century and named after Kutubuddin, a religious figure who sheltered families from Arakan. The shrine of the Kutub Auliya, Shah Abdul Malek al-Qutbi, who died in 2000, stands at Dhurang and draws many pilgrims.
Beach, salt pans and lighthouses
The western shore is a long, flat beach of grey sand, about 16 km, empty apart from fishing boats, drying nets and gulls. Sunset over the open bay is the event of the day. In winter large areas turn into salt pans worked by hand in shallow beds.
A lighthouse was set up here in 1846 under British rule, with a revolving lamp added in 1892. That tower fell in a storm surge in 1960, and its remains show on the sand at low tide; a new lighthouse went up inside the embankment in 1965. Near the southern end stands one of the country's first wind power plants, whose first unit of 50 turbines started in 2008.
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Key information
🏖️Beach: About 16 km of flat sandy shore
📍Location: Island upazila off Chakaria, Cox's Bazar
🌅Known for: Wind turbines, salt pans, lighthouse
🎟️Entry: Free
💰Currency: Bangladeshi taka (৳ BDT)
🕕Time Zone: BST (UTC+6)
Explore the area
Magnama Ghat boat crossing
Chakaria 28 km from Magnama Ghat
Maheshkhali Island by boat
✦
Plan your visit to Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ)
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Shore
- Long quiet beach
- Fishing boats and gulls
- Sunset over the bay
Island life
- Wind turbines
- Winter salt pans
- Kutub Auliya shrine
What They Offer
Visit duration
Full day or one night
Timed entry required No
Wind power site
A short rickshaw ride from Boro Ghop Bazar.
Bazaar meals
Fish and dried fish in the Boro Ghop restaurants.
Accessibility
Boat boarding and unpaved paths; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Age limits
No lifeguards: check tides locally and keep children back from the water.
What to pack
Cash, power bank, water, sunscreen; a power bank: the island runs on generators and solar
What to wear
Light clothing, a hat and sandals that can get wet
Not allowed
Littering; swimming in rough or unfamiliar water
Amenities
Basic hotels and restaurants at Boro Ghop Bazar; a few basic hotels and restaurants near Boro Ghop Bazar; camping where locals suggest a safe spot
Tips for visiting Kutubdia Island
- Confirm the last boat back from Boro Ghop before you start exploring.
- Ask locally for the day's tide times before walking out to the lighthouse ruins.
- Carry a power bank and a torch.
- Agree rickshaw and CNG fares before setting off.
- Visit in winter if you want to see the salt pans at work.
Driving
Drive to Chakaria on the Chattogram–Cox's Bazar highway, then west to Magnama Ghat.
Public transportation
Bus to Chakaria, CNG or bus about 28 km west to Magnama Ghat, then engine boat (30–40 minutes) or speedboat (about 10) to Boro Ghop Bazar. Boats stop around sunset.
Address
Kutubdia Upazila, across the Kutubdia channel from Magnama Ghat, Cox's Bazar.
Opening Hours
- MondayDaylight hours recommended
- TuesdayDaylight hours recommended
- WednesdayDaylight hours recommended
- ThursdayDaylight hours recommended
- FridayDaylight hours recommended
- SaturdayDaylight hours recommended
- SundayDaylight hours recommended
Last entry: Return before the last boat or before dark
Open all year; boat services depend on weather.
Open access; the practical limit is the boat schedule, which usually ends at sunset.
Special events
No special events on record for Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ).
Best times to visit
Late afternoon for sunset.
Best days to visit
Weekdays are quieter than Fridays and public holidays.
Best months to visit
November to February: calm water and the salt season.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed for the beach itself; boat and tour bookings follow the operator's terms.
Children and admission
Keep children away from the water's edge on falling tides and on boats.
Groups
Groups should arrange boats in advance.
Pets
Not recommended.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
No restrictions recorded.
Smoking
Do not leave cigarette ends on the sand.
Accepted payment
Carry enough cash; cards and ATMs are rare or absent.
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Travelers are asking
Do not count on one; bring cash from Chakaria or Cox's Bazar.
Yes, boats link the two islands, and Maheshkhali is on one route from Cox's Bazar.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know about Kutubdia Island.
General
Off the coast of Chakaria and Pekua in Cox's Bazar district, across the Kutubdia channel. It is an upazila in its own right.
Yes, from Chattogram or Cox's Bazar if you start early. Plan your return around the last boat, which usually leaves before dark.
The long western beach, the wind turbines, winter salt pans, the old and new lighthouses and the Kutub Auliya shrine at Dhurang.
A few basic hotels near Boro Ghop Bazar. Camping is possible, but ask locals about a safe spot first.
Kutubdia is not on the national grid. Power comes from generators and solar panels, so carry a power bank.
The first lighthouse dates from 1846. It collapsed in 1960, and the current one was built inside the embankment in 1965.
Yes. One of Bangladesh's first wind power plants began operating near the southern end of the beach in 2008, with 50 turbines in its first unit.
Yes, entry to Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ) is free.
Explore the area on this page lists 3 places around Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ), among them Magnama Ghat and Chakaria.
Getting there
Go to Chakaria by bus, then about 28 km by CNG or bus to Magnama Ghat. From there engine boats take 30 to 40 minutes and speedboats about 10 minutes.
Health & safety
There is no lifeguard or tide information on the island. Check tide times locally and avoid the water at low or falling tide.
Timing & weather
Winter, roughly November to February. The channel is calmer and salt production is under way; at other times the crossing can be rough.
Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ) is open Monday–Sunday: Daylight hours recommended.
Most visitors spend Full day or one night at Kutubdia Island (কুতুবদিয়া দ্বীপ).
Families & accessibility
Not recommended.