Day trip to Maheshkhali Island from Cox's Bazar

Getting there and around

Take a bus or CNG from Cox's Bazar to Chakaria Ghat, 40 minutes and 60 taka by bus. Ferries to Maheshkhali leave every hour from 7 AM to 6 PM; the crossing takes 30 minutes and costs 20 taka. The boat is open-air and crowded—sit near the front if you want spray and a breeze. On the island, rent a bicycle at the jetty for 100 taka/day or hire a motorbike taxi for $8 to cover all the sites.

Start with Adinath Temple, 7 km from the dock. The Hindu shrine sits atop a 300-foot hill with 600 steps—bring water. Pilgrims come year-round but the festival in February draws thousands. The views at the top stretch across the island to the Bay of Bengal. Remove shoes before entering, and women should cover shoulders. Donation box is at the exit; 50 taka is customary.

Island highlights

After the temple, ride to Rakhine Para, a Buddhist village on the western coast. The small monastery has modest architecture but the monks are welcoming and may offer tea. Nearby, the salt pans spread out in white geometric grids—workers harvest from November to April. Photography is fine, and if you ask politely, someone will explain the evaporation process.

Lunch at Hotel Sonar Bangla near Gorakghata Bazaar: fried hilsa with rice costs $3, and the porch overlooks fishing boats. Spend the afternoon exploring Dhorbareshwar Temple near the southern tip, dedicated to Shiva, with a stone lingam under a covered pavilion. The compound is quiet, shaded, and a good spot to rest before catching the 4 PM ferry back.

What to skip

The island has no beaches worth the detour—visit Inani or Himchari instead. Guides at the jetty will offer full-day tours for $30; you do not need one. The island roads are simple and well-signed in Bengali. Bottled water on the island costs double what it does on the mainland; buy it before boarding the ferry. Avoid traveling on Fridays when ferries fill with worshippers heading to mosques, making the crossing slow and packed.