Kuakata

Kuakata Beach is located in Latachapali Union of Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali District . Kuakata Sea Beach is about 18 kilometers long and you can see sunrise and sunset at the same time. This feature makes Kuakata unique from all the beaches. Clean beaches, endlessly beautiful beaches, horizons of blue skies and mangrove forests give Kuakata a different dimension. Kuakata is known as mermaid to tourists.

Today's episode of the travel guide includes how to get to Kuakata, where to stay, where to eat, how to visit the nearby attractions, how to plan a low-cost travel plan; All these detailed information.

Kuakata can be reached from Dhaka by river and road . With the opening of Padma Bridge, the road from Dhaka to Kuakata can be reached in much less time and easily.

Distance from Dhaka to Kuakata is about 280 km. It will take about 6-7 hours to go by bus. From Sayedabad, Abdullahpur, Arambagh or Gabtali bus stand in Dhaka, buses from Sakura Paribahan, Shyamoli, Greenline, Euro Coach, Hanif, TR Travels and many other transport companies go directly to Kuakata. Non-AC bus fare from Dhaka to Kuakata is Tk 750-900 and AC bus fare is Tk 1100-1600.

Although you cannot go directly from Sadarghat to Kuakata by river, you can go to Barisal or Patuakhali from there by bus to Kuakata. If you want to experience launch travel then traveling on a good launch will be a pleasure for you even if it is a little difficult.

Due to the passenger shortage due to the opening of the Padma Bridge, good service launches from Dhaka's Sadarghat are not running as before. So if you want to go to the launch, you have to search in advance whether there is a good launch on the day of your travel.

A launch for Patuakhali departs from Sadarghat every evening and reaches Patuakhali around 7 am. Launch deck rent 400-500 taka, single cabin 1300 taka, double cabin 2400 taka, VIP cabin rent 7000 taka.

From Patuakhali Launch Ghat, take an auto to the bus stand and take a local bus to Kuakata. It will take about 2 hours to go, and the bus fare is 150-160 taka.

Besides, several launches leave for Barisal from Sadarghat in the evening and reach Barisal in the morning. Buses to Kuakata are available from Barisal Launch Ghat to Rupatali Bus Stand. It will take about 3 hours to go by bus, the bus fare is Tk 180-250.

Although there are not so many residential hotel resorts like Cox's Bazar, you will find hotels/resorts according to your budget in Kuakata. Staying in a budget hotel will cost you 2000-3000 rupees. To stay on a low budget, you will get a room for two people for 1000-2000 taka. If budget is not your problem then you can go for elite resorts like Shikdar Resort.

Kuakata does not have very good quality sea view hotels. However, you will find some decent sea view hotels in the tourist market lane at or near Zero Point. It will cost 1500-3000 rupees according to the season.

Although it is a little difficult to get a hotel room during the holidays, you can check the hotel room in Kuakata during the rest of the time. However, it is better to book in advance on holidays or if you are taking your family.

For details read: Best Hotels & Resorts in Kuakata

Most of the hotels in Kuakata cater to their guests in their own restaurants. In addition, various local dishes are available in the local restaurants here. You will find many food hotels around Kuakata Zero Point.

A visit to Kuakata would be a mistake not to try the fish barbecue. Fish fry market is next to zero point. If you bargain and buy fresh sea fish of your choice, they will barbecue it right in front of you. With the sea waves on one side and the open air on the other side, the taste of fish barbecue will linger on your tongue for a long time.

Kuakata is not just about beaches, there are many other places to visit. East and West Jhowban, estuary of three rivers, Lebur Char, Gangamati forest, Red Crab Island and green forest will also get a chance to see a part of Sundarbans. Or you can visit Kuakata for historical wells, Buddhist temples or the remote Char Vijay Abhiyan.

Shuntki Village: The fishing village is located at the western end of Kuakata beach. The dry season here is mainly from November to March. Shutki is made by catching fish from the sea and drying it next to the beach. If you want, you can spend time watching the busyness of the fishermen. And you can buy different types of preferred dryers at low prices.

Crab Island: A place known as Crab Island or Crab Island can be seen if you go far east along Kuakata Beach. Thousands of red crabs roam the deserted beaches here. During the tourist season i.e. from October to March, speed boats are available from Kuaquat Beach to Crab Island.

Gangamati Jungle: Kuakata beach ends up to the Gangamati Canal towards the east. And from this place Gangamati forest starts. In addition to different species of plants, different types of birds, forest chickens, monkeys and other animals are seen in this forest. To many, this forest is known as Gazmati Jungle.

Fatra Forest: Fatra forest starts from the other side of the river on the west side of the beach. This forest has almost all the characteristics of Sundarbans. Forest roosters, monkeys, wild boars and various birds are found here. To go to Fatra Forest from Kuakata you need to hire an engine boat.

Kuakata's Well: The well still stands as a witness to the history behind the name Kuakata. To see this well, you have to go to Keranipara, the home of the Rakhines. You will see the ancient well as soon as you enter the area.

It is said that in 1784, after being expelled from the motherland, the Rakhines came to Rangabali Island on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and took shelter. As the salty sea water was unfit for consumption, they dug wells for fresh water here and the place gradually came to be known as Kuakata.

Seema Buddhist Temple: The Seema Buddhist Temple is located just in front of the ancient well of Kuakata. A few years ago this wooden temple was demolished and the building constructed. Inside this temple is an ancient Buddhist idol made of ashtadhatu weighing about 37 manas.

Keranipara: A little further along the Seema Buddhist temple road is Keranipara, the home of the Rakhines. Rakhine women are very skilled at weaving cloth and the winter cloaks they make are very attractive.

Misripara Buddhist Temple: About eight kilometers from Kuakata Beach, Misripara, another Rakhine village, has a large Buddhist temple. Rumor has it that inside this temple there is the largest Buddhist statue in the subcontinent.

Now let's know how to explore Kuakata. If your plan is just to see the sea then you can spend the entire trip in sea view and beach activities around Zero Point. But if you visit Kuakata, your trip will not be complete if you don't visit the surrounding places. It would be best to plan to stay at least one night in Seksha.

The location of all the places along the east and west side of Kuakata zero point. The best place to watch the sunrise is Gangamati Char at the eastern end of Kuakata. So keep the morning to visit the east beach. And keep the afternoon time to see the places near the west beach.

The vehicles for sightseeing here are motorcycles, easy bikes or vans. Get around the zero point. Depending on the places you will visit, you will have to bargain for the package. It will cost around 1000-1500 taka to visit all the places.

But remember one thing, although there are many spot names in the package, there is really nothing. Many spots are in name only. And some spots are within walking distance of Kuakata Zero Point.

Day 1: Check in at hotel in the morning. Afternoon sea bathing and eating. Rent a motorcycle after noon. Kuakata has about twenty places to visit. All places will cost around 1000-1500 taka, 600 to 800 for 12 places and 400-600 taka for remaining 8 places. And the bikers may ask more money so bargain. In the afternoon you will see lemon forest, fish market, shutki village, zhaubon and estuary of three rivers. Try to watch the sunset in the lemon forest.

Day 2: Early in the morning the motorcycle driver will take you to Gangamati Char. On the way back after seeing the sunrise, red crabs, see Rakhine village, market, well, Buddhist temple, 200 years old boat and return to the hotel. After lunch, you can take a leisurely walk in Fatra forest. Return by night car. If you want to return to the launch, you must be at Patuakhali Launch Ghat before 5:00 pm. In that case, that day should be excluded from the forest plan of Fatra. If you want, you can return to the launch via Barisal. The last launch from Barisal to Dhaka leaves at 9:00 PM.

How much it will cost depends on when you go, how you go, what kind of hotel you stay in, what you eat and how you tour. Traveling in groups of 2, 4, 8 people will have some benefits in terms of staying at a hotel and renting a car. Discounts are available on hotel bookings, car rentals and meals when traveling on holidays or off-peak season. If you go by non-AC bus, the travel cost will be reduced.

Below is a sample cost to give you an idea of ​​what it would cost to travel to Kuakata on a budget. But the cost will not be the same. Just get an idea from here.

Before going to Kuakata Beach, you must know whether the place is safe to go into the sea. Do not go into the sea without a designated place. Bargain on food or bike rental, anything. Seek the help of the tourist police in Kuakata for any need.