Nijhum Dwip

Nijhum Dwip is a small island in the Bay of Bengal located in Hatia Upazila of Noakhali. This island with an area of ​​about 14,050 acres consists of four islands namely Kamlar Char, Ballar Char, Char Osman and Char Muri and some chars. During winter, thousands of guest birds such as Sarali, Jira, Lenza, Pyong, Rangamuri, Chakhachkhi, Bhutihan, Swan, Muddy-crested, Batan, Jira, Gulinda, Gangchil, Kastechra, Pelican etc. arrive at Nijhum Island. Local birds include sea eagle, buck conch. Besides, the island has deer, wild boar, jackal, monkey and various snakes.

The number of deer in Nijhum Island is about 40 thousand. You can get up early in the morning to see birds or deer and take the help of a local guide. Nowhere else in the country can you see so many Chitra deer together like Nijhum Island. And if you want to see birds, the neighboring islands of Kaviraj Char and Damar Char are good places. About 35 different species of birds can be seen in Nijhum Island.

A short walk along Chowdhury Canal near Kaviraj Char between afternoon and evening is likely to see deer. Besides, if you reserve a trawler, the boatman will show you the deer. To rent a trawler for 10-15 people will cost 1000 to 1200 taka. In the evening, a herd of thousands of buffaloes will catch your eye with the sunset at Kaviraj's pasture.

And in the island of Kamala, a lot of hilsa is found in the canal of Kamala. You can buy fresh hilsa from the locals. In Nijhum Island, local boys work as guides and take them with them in the morning to see deer in the mangrove forest. It takes 10 minutes to walk from Namar Bazaar to Namar Bazaar Sea Beach. Apart from watching the sunrise and sunset from Nama Bazar Sea Beach, you can also have a barbecue.

The new sea beach on the south side of Damar Char is known as Virgin Island. Many unknown birds can be seen in this island. The fare to go to this island is 3000 to 3500 taka for trawler. Deer are also occasionally seen from the terrace of Nijhum Resort in Chowakhali. Besides, if you have time, you can spend a day at Bhola Dhalchar, Char Kukri – Mukri with trawler reserve.

Winter i.e. from October to mid-April is the best time to visit Nijhum Island. At other times of the year the Meghna River and the sea are quite rough so one should be careful when visiting Nijhum Island during that time.

Nijhum Island by bus from Dhaka to Noakhali

If you want to go to Nijhum Island by bus, you have to get down at Sonapur in Noakhali. From Dhaka Syedabad Bus Terminal you can go to Sonapur in Noakhali by Ekushey Express, Moonline Enterprise, Himachal Express buses. From Dhanmondi Jigatla counter, Ekushe Paribahan bus leaves for Sonapur, Noakhali at 10:20 PM. The non-AC and AC coach fares of these buses range from Tk 550 to Tk 800.

You have to go to Chairman Ghat from Sonapur of Noakhali by CNG or other vehicles, it will cost Tk 450 to 500 to come to Chairman Ghat by reserving CNG. Maximum 5 people can sit in a CNG. Various sea-trucks, trawlers and speed boats will be available from Chairman Ghat to Hatia. Sea-truck, trawler and speed boat fares from Chairman Ghat to Hatia are 90, 120-150 and 400 taka per person. Get down to Hatiya Nalchira Ghat and reserve a motorcycle to reach Mokhtaria Ghat, motorcycle rental will cost 400 to 450 taka for two people. From Mokhtaria Ghat, the fare of two people will be 100 taka.

Note: C-Truck departs from Noakhali Chairman Ghat at 8 am every day, and return sea truck from Nalchira to Noakhali Chairman Ghat departs at 10 am.

By train from Dhaka to Noakhali to Nijhum Island

If you want to go to Nijhum Island by train from Dhaka, you have to get off from Maizdi train at Noakhali. An intercity train named Upkul Express departs for Noakhali from Kamalapur in Dhaka at 3:10 PM on 6 days of the week except Tuesday, it takes about 6 hours to reach Maijdi. The train ticket fare is Tk 315 depending on the class.

CNG reserve fare from Maizdi to Chairman Ghat will cost 500 to 600 taka. And to come locally, the fare will be 120 to 130 taka per person. Nijhum Island can be reached from the Chairman Ghat by the above means.

Nijhum Island by launch from Dhaka's Sadarghat

Only one launch departs from Dhaka's Sadarghat to Hatia every day at 5:30 PM. The launch reached Tamurddi Ghat in Hatyar between 8 am and 9 am the next day. The return launch from Tamurddi Ghat to Dhaka leaves at 12:30 PM. Launch fare deck – 350 taka, single cabin – 1200 taka and double cabin – 2200 taka.

Hatiyar should get down at Tamurddi Ghat and come to Mokhtaria Ghat by motorbike. To come to Mokhtaria Ghat, the fare for two people will be 300 to 350 taka. To go from Mokhtaria Ghat to Bandartila Ghat in Nijhumdwip, the trawler fare will be Tk 22 per person. And two people have to spend Tk 100 to go to the market by motorbike from Bandartila Ghat

Again you can directly go to Nijhumdwip market from Tamurddi Ghat. Every day at 10 am some fishing trawlers from Tamurddi Ghat go directly to Nijhum Dwip Namar Bazar, they can be rented for Tk 200 to Tk 300 per person. Besides, it may take 3500 to 5000 taka depending on the size of the trawler to go to Nijhum island's Namar market with trawler reserve.

Special instructions : 1. If for some reason the tool goes to Tamuruddi MV. Farhan launched 3/4, but on the same day at 6:30 PM, M.V. Tipu-5 or M.V. Panama launch Tajumuddin or Manpura ghat and again MV. Farhan can catch 3/4 launches. If you want, you can easily go to Hatyar Tamuruddi Ghat by trawler from Manpura Ghat.

2. And if M.V. Tipu-5 and M.V. Missed the Panama launch but quickly M.V. Farhan-6 or M.V. Board the Farhan-7 launch. Although the departure time of these launches is 6:30 minutes, they leave a little late. In this launch, M.V. went to Tajumuddin Ghat. Farhan-3/4 will be able to catch the launch. Hatyar Tamuruddi Ghat can also be reached by trawler from Tajumuddin Ghat.

These 6 launches belong to the same owner. If necessary, you can contact the following numbers. M.V. Farhan 3 – 01785-630365 , 01785-630366 , 01785-630367 M.V. Farhan 4 – 01785-630368 , 01785-630369 , 01785-630370

Launch from Chatragham Sadarghat to Nijhum Island

MV Bar Aulia, MV Abdul Matin and MB Monirul Haque steamers depart from Sadarghat in Chittagong to Hatia Nalchira Ghat three days a week except Friday and Sunday at 9 am. Fares for Hatia from Sadarghat, Chittagong: Chair Class – Tk 350, Second Class – Tk 1110 and First Class – Tk 2215.

You can reach Mokhtaria Ghat from Hatyar Nalchira by taking motorcycle reserve and reach Nijhum Island in the above mentioned way.

Nijhum Resort is a good place to stay in Nijhum Island near Namar Bazar Sea Beach. Rooms of different categories are available at Nijhum Resort from 1500 to 3000 taka. Generally during off season (April 15 – September 30) rooms are available at 50% discount.

Contact – Nijhum Island Office: Sabuj Bhai: 01724-145864 , 01845-558899 , 01738-230655 Dhaka Office: Vacation Tourism Limited, Alhaj Samsuddin Mansion (9th Floor), 17 New Iskaton Road. Phone: 9342351 , 9359230 , 8358485 , 01552-372269

Hotel Shaheen in Namar Bazar is a bit more expensive. However, if necessary, you can contact the phone number 01863-150881 . And you can go to Masjid Boarding in Namar Bazar to stay the cheapest. Although this arrangement is made by the local mosque, here you will not get any attached bathroom and generator arrangement with the room. There are 2 common bathrooms and 1 tubewell. Here you will find single and double bed rooms for 200 to 400 taka. You can contact on 01866-373937 and 01727-958879 . To stay at Syed Chachar's famous Hotel Dwip Wealth, you can call 01720-601026 and 01760-008106 .

You can also spend the night at Nijhum Dreamland Resort and Hotel Sheraton located in Bandartila. Nijhum Dreamland Resort Dhaka booking office phone number is 01847-123573 and Nijhum Island booking office number is 01847-123572 .

Nijhum island does not have good food but you can get sea fish, coarse rice, meat, bread etc. The quality of food at Altaf Chachar Hotel (Hotel Asif) is quite better than other hotels. And if you order food in advance, you will get relatively good food. Besides, there are several food hotels in Namar Bazaar, where the sea fish and prawn fry are very good. For bar bq, manager of Nijhum Resort will make all the arrangements. Dubs are available at Nijhum Island for Tk 20 to Tk 25.

With the help of information: Zahid Ibn Jahan