Guliakhali Sea Beach
Located in the estuary of Sitakunda Upazila in Chattogram district, this place is known locally as Muradpur Beach. It is situated about 5 km away from Sitakunda. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has declared this beach as a protected area, encompassing approximately 259.10 acres of reserved forest. One of the most attractive features of Guliakhali Beach is its unique landscape—on one side, you can see the endless stretch of sea, while on the other side lies a dense Keora forest. The forest extends far into the sea, and you can spot the aerial roots of Keora trees around the channel that winds through it. This creates a swampy environment, similar to a mangrove forest. The beach is lined with numerous small trees, and the wide patches of grass resemble a green carpet, crisscrossed by narrow streams. During high tide, these streams fill up with water, creating a picturesque scene. Within a 5 km radius of the beach, you will also find the Chandranath Hills and Temple, the Botanical Garden and Ecopark, and two waterfalls known as Sahasradhara and Suptadhara. Visitors can explore the sea by hiring a local fishing boat, and according to 2022 records, a boat ride costs approximately 2,000 BDT.
The history of Guliakhali Beach
Guliakhali Beach was not widely known in the past. In 2014, a group of students from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) visited the beach, capturing photos and videos, which they then shared on social media. This sparked interest, and the beach gradually gained popularity. Since then, it has seen a growing influx of visitors, becoming an emerging tourist destination.
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When to Visit
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| Compared to other seasons, the sea at Guliakhali Beach is more turbulent during the monsoon. Therefore, the rainy season is an ideal time to experience the natural beauty of the area. However, the beach can be visited year-round. |
| Special Advice |
Photography of locals without permission is not allowed. Avoid engaging in arguments with locals or military personnel. Do not litter by throwing plastic items, peels, or bottles carelessly. Make sure to carry enough water, light snacks, a first aid kit, and a power bank for your convenience during the trip.
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| Special Precautions |
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While Guliakhali Beach offers various attractions, it is not entirely safe after dark due to the absence of tourist police. It’s advisable to leave the beach before sunset to avoid potential risks, such as encountering muggers. If you don’t know how to swim, avoid venturing too far into the water. Make sure to check the tides in advance; it’s safer to stay away from the beach during high tide. As the waves rise, it’s best to move away from the shore. During high tide, the narrow channels fill up, making crossing difficult. Since this is not a well-developed tourist-friendly beach, you should exercise caution when entering the water. Although the government has designated 259.10 acres of the beach as a protected forest area, it has not yet been officially recognized as a tourist site. |
| Distances from Various Divisional Cities to Guliakhali Beach |
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| Dhaka | 223 k.m. |
| Rajshahi |
467 k.m.
688 k.m. (By Kustia Root) |
| Rangpur | 516 k.m. |
| Sylhet | 326 k.m. |
| Mymenshingh |
324 k.m. (By Kishoreganj Root)
333 k.m. (By Dhaka Root) |
| Khulna | 287 k.m. (By Barisal Root) |
| Barisal | 213 k.m. |
| Chottogram | 40.9 k.m. |
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Ways To Go From Dhaka |
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(If You Want To Visit Guliakhali Sea Beach, You Have To Go Chittigong First.) |
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| Bus |
Dhaka Bus Stands:-
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Buses:-
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| Train |
Trains are-
(If You Want To Travel By Train, You’ll Need To Board The Dhaka-Chittagong Mail Train From Kamalapur Railway Station. Among The Trains On The Dhaka-Chittagong Route, Only This Train Stops At Sitakunda Station.) |
| Aircraft |
Flights-
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(As there Is No Direct Transport From Dhaka To Guliakhali Sea Beach, One Must First travel From Dhaka To Sitakunda, And Then From Sitakunda to Guliakhali Sea beach.) |
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From Chattagram To Sitakunda Alankar More → A.K. Khan More → Kadamtali (You can find CNGs/autos directly to Guliakhali right under the Sitakunda bus stand bridge. Additionally, You Can Go To Sitakunda From Anywhere In The City By Bus, Auto-Rickshaw Or Rickshaw Reserve.) From Sitakunda To Guliakhali Sea Beach (Then From Sitakunda, You can Reach Guliakhali sea Beach By Bus, Auto-Rickshaw Or Rickshaw By reserved.) |
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Accommodations |
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(There are no accommodation or dining facilities at Guliakhali Beach—only a small shop is available. Therefore, it’s advisable to collect food from Sitakunda market before heading there. Alternatively, Sitakunda Has All Kinds Of Facilities To Stay And Eat.) |
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| Residential Hotels- |
(If You Search The Internet With The Name Of The Residential Hotels, You Will Get All The Information Related To Booking.) |
| Restaurants- |
(You Will Find Many Restaurants Anywhere In The City Or Around Residential Hotels.) |
The Advantages Of Visiting Guliakhali Sea Beach Are-
- Developed Travel Facilities.
- Facilitation Of Spending Quality Time With Family/Couple Or Friends.
- Beautiful And Picturesque Nature.
Advice- First Of All, Always Be Careful In Bargaining Before Booking A Car Or Boat Trip, Hotel Booking, Food Or Anything Else. Also-
- Take Umbrella Or Raincoat If Necessary.
- With The Help Of A Local Guide You Can Tour The Entire Region Beautifully.
- Avoid Anything Harmful To The Environment.
Sightseeing: Any Tourism Destination Is Our Heritage, Our Country’s Heritage. Let Us Refrain From Any Harmful Actions Towards The Natural Or Scenic Beauty Of These Places, And Encourage Others To Do The Same. It Is Our Responsibility To Be Careful About Everything In Our Country.
Caution: The Costs Of Hotels, Resorts, Transportation Rentals, And Other Expenses May Change Over Time, So The Information Provided May Not Be Current. Therefore, Please Make Sure To Gather Information About Current Rentals And Expenses Before Planning Any Trip.
Note: In Case Of Any Problem, Call Bangladesh National Emergency Service – 999.
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Other Attractions in Sitakunda
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| 1. Chandranath Pahar |