Guliakhali Sea Beach is another prospective tourist attraction of Bangladesh. It is situated at Sitakunda Upazila of the Chittagong district. Are you planning a day trip to Gulikhali Sea Beach? Read our detailed guide for travel information, costs, and tips. It’s also important to know the tide times at Gulikhali Sea Beach.
Guliakhali Sea Beach
Guliakhali Sea Beach, also known as Muradpur Beach, is a unique coastal area in Sitakunda, Chittagong, Bangladesh. It is characterized by a blend of swamp and mangrove forest features, including green grass beds, numerous small channels, and trees. Unlike typical sandy beaches, Guliakhali offers a tranquil, picturesque landscape where seawater flows through the canals, especially during high tide.
Key Features
- Unique Environment: Instead of a sandy beach, Guliakhali features expansive green grasslands, waterways, and mangrove trees.
- Tidal Influence: Saltwater flows through the canals during high tide, creating a dynamic and scenic environment.
- Tranquility: The combination of the grassy landscape and the flowing seawater contributes to a peaceful atmosphere.
- Location: It is situated in Muradpur, Sitakunda, about 5 kilometers from Sitakunda town.
- Declared Protected Area: The beach is recognized as a protected area by the government, signifying its natural value.
Visiting Guliakhali
- Transportation: You can reach Sitakunda by bus from Dhaka or Chittagong, then take local transportation to Guliakhali.
- Activities: While swimming is not recommended due to the unpredictable terrain and lack of lifeguards, visitors can enjoy the scenery, take boat trips, and relax in the unique environment.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is during the day to fully experience the unique landscape and scenery.
Why should you visit Guliakhali Sea Beach?
It is located in the Sitakunda Upazila of Chittagong. Sitakunda means “sea on one side and mountains on the other.” The Guliakhali sea beach is five kilometers from Sitakunda Bazaar. Locals know this beach as “Muradpur Sea Beach.” One of Guliyakhali’s unique features is that the entire seashore is covered with green grass like a carpet. Small mangrove forests adorn the beach on three sides. On the other side is the endless sea. The forest is home to various species of plants, including Keora.
The mangrove forest’s breathing roots are spread across the Guliakhali Sea beach. Many large and small canals flow through the forest. During high tide, the canals fill with water. Since Guliahali Sea Beach is less well-known, there are usually no tourists here. You can enjoy the silence and sea breeze to your heart’s content. There is a fishing village near Guliahali Sea Beach, so Shunshan Beach is also safe. Banshbaria Sea Beach is also near Guliakhali Sea Beach.
Take a look: View Guliahali Sea Beach on Google Maps.
How to Reach Guliakhali Sea Beach
Since the Guliakhali Sea Beach is in Sitakunda, you must first travel to Sitakunda from wherever you are in the country. There are various ways to get there from Dhaka or Chittagong.
First, come to the Sitakunda Upazila in Chittagong. You can reach Sitakunda by bus or train from Dhaka. Buses to Chittagong depart from almost all bus terminals in Dhaka. However, the Arambagh bus terminal is more convenient than the Sayedabad or Fakirapul terminals. All major companies, including Saudia, Shyamoli, Hanif, S Alam, Unique, Sohag, and Green Line, operate buses on this route from these terminals. Board a Chattogram-bound bus and exit at Sitakunda Bazaar. The night bus from Sayedabad to Sitakunda takes five hours. Depending on the price, the fare ranges from 300 to 1,000 taka.
From Dhaka to Sitakunda
You can take any bus from Dhaka to Chittagong. These buses have AC and non-AC options, and the fare is between 420 and 1,200 taka. If necessary, notify the bus supervisor in advance to be dropped off in Sitakunda. You can also take the mail train from Dhaka to Sitakunda for 120 taka per person. You can also take an intercity train from Dhaka to Feni. The fare depends on the class and ranges from 250 to 1,035 taka. You can also take a local bus from Feni to Sitakunda. The fare is 80 to 100 taka.
Sitakunda by Train
There is a direct train from Dhaka to Sitakunda, also known as Guliakhali Sea Beach, called the Chattala Express. Apart from the Subarna and Sonarbangla Express, all trains from Dhaka to Chittagong stop at Feni Station. Get off at Feni and take a rickshaw to Mahipal. From there, take a bus to Sitakunda Bazaar in Chittagong. The bus fare from Mahipal to Sitakunda is between 80 and 100 taka. The train fare from Dhaka to Feni ranges from 200 to 600 taka, depending on the seat.
From Chittagong to Sitakunda: Buses and taxis are available from Chittagong’s Alankar More, Enke Khan More, and Kadamtali. You can come to Sitakunda Bazaar from anywhere.
From Sylhet to Sitakunda: Those coming from Sylhet can also take any train to Chittagong. All trains from Sylhet to Chittagong stop at Feni. After getting off in Feni, you can reach Sitakunda Bazaar via Mahipal the same way.
Sitakunda to Guliakhali Sea Beach
You can take a CNG from the Sitakunda Bazaar overpass to Guliahali Sea Beach. The market is five kilometers from the beach. A reserved CNG costs between 150 and 200 taka. The trip takes 25 to 30 minutes.
When getting a CNG, bargain for the right price. You can also reserve a round-trip ride. The CNG will drop you off at the embankment near Guliyakhali. It takes 10 to 12 minutes to walk from there to the seashore. If you are traveling in the evening, CNG is often unavailable for the return trip. Therefore, get the driver’s phone number when you arrive.
Recommendation
You can take a CNG auto directly from under the Sitakunda bus stand bridge to the Guliakhali beach dam. The fare per person is 30 taka to the beach dam, and 150-200 taka for a reserved auto. You must negotiate the fare.
Get the number of the CNG driver in advance in case you need to return to Sitakunda. Alternatively, you can make a reservation during your trip. In the evening, CNG/autos are often unavailable for the return trip.
Where to Stay
There are three or four reasonably priced residential hotels in Sitakunda Municipality. Among them, Hotel Saudia is notable. Rooms cost between 800 and 1,600 taka. It is located on DT Road in the Municipal Market. There is also Hotel Simon. Room rates range from 300 to 600 taka. If you want a high-quality hotel, you have to go to Chittagong City. Sitakunda is 40 kilometers from Chittagong city.
If you want to stay overnight, you can stay at the Simon or Saudia hotels in the Sitakunda market area. Rooms at Saimun cost between 300 and 600 taka, and rooms at Saudia cost between 600 and 1,600 taka. Call 01991-787979 or 01816-518119 to book. For better accommodations, you will have to go to Chittagong.
Where to eat
There are no accommodations or food facilities at Guliakhali Sea Beach. There is only a small shop at the beach, so if necessary, bring food with you from the Sitakunda market.
There are many food shops in Sitakunda Bazaar. Notable ones are Hotel Saudia, Al Amin, and Apan Restaurant. You will find rice, fish, meat, stew, pulses, vegetables, and more on the menu. Food costs around 120 to 200 taka per day. If you take the night bus, you can also have breakfast here.
Nearby tourist attractions
There are also many places of natural beauty in the two upazilas, Mirsarai and Sitakunda. If you go to Guliyakhali Sea Beach, you can visit any of the following attractions on the same day. It all depends on your time management. Very close to Guliyakhali Sea Beach are BashBariya Sea Beach and Chandranath Hills. The most adventurous trail on this route is Sonaichhari, which is nearby. Inside the Sitakunda Eco Park are the Suptadhara and Sahasradhara waterfalls. Ten kilometers further along the highway towards Dhaka are the Kamaldaha Falls. Twenty kilometers away are the trails to Khaiyachhara Falls and Napittachhara Falls.
Travel Tips and Warnings
It is better to visit Guliakhali Sea Beach in the afternoon. Two to three hours is enough time to see all of Sitakunda. If you plan to spend the whole day in Sitakunda, you can spend the morning at another nearby tourist spot. Know the time of low tide while traveling. Local fishermen can provide good information about this. It’s best to stay away from the sea during high tide. If the canals are filled with tidal water, it will be difficult to return. Return to Sitakunda Bazaar by evening. People throw garbage everywhere. Don’t forget to pick it up, even if it’s just one piece.
Our Advice
To ensure a safe trip, seek assistance from the tourist police if necessary. Do not litter at your travel destination. Be aware of your cleanliness and encourage others to do the same. Know the low tide times. It is better not to be near the beach during high tide. When the waves increase, you should leave the beach. During high tide, the water rises and the canals fill up. Then, it may be difficult to cross. Since this is not a tourist-friendly beach, be careful when entering the water. Never go too far if you don’t know how to swim.
I request that everyone refrain from traveling during this rainy season and risking their lives in pursuit of adventure. Remember, life is precious, and one accident can be devastating. Let’s all travel safely. That is our wish.