Sonarchar Patuakhali

Sonarchar is a beach in Nayanaviram located in Patuakhali district. The distance from Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali to Sonarchar is about 80 km. The remote and dangerous communication system of Sonarchar Island located in the middle of the ocean has succumbed to the indomitable desire of the beauty-crazed tourists. So many people rush to Sonarchar to see nature. The choppy sea waves, the sight of fishermen catching fish, the free roaming of red crabs across the beach and the biodiverse mangrove forests enthrall the tourists in their magnificence.

Most of the tourists who come to Patuakhali district return after seeing Kuakata. So the beach and forest area of ​​Sonarchar is stress-free for tourists. The length of Sonarchar beach is about 3 km. Sunrise and sunset can be enjoyed from the same spot in Sonachar Island like Kuakata. Sunlight reflected in the sand on the golden beach surrounded by the blue waters of the horizon wide ocean looks like gold.

There is a huge forest area of ​​about 5 thousand acres in this Sonarchar. Which has occupied the second place of Sundarbans in terms of area. And this forest area has rich biodiversity. There are Dakbungalows and forest department camps for tourists in the forest area of ​​Sonarchar. In 2004, the Patuakhali Coastal Forest Department released several wild animals along with planting trees in the golden pastures of the Bay of Bengal. Later, on 16 December 2011, the Bangladesh government declared Sonarchar as a wildlife sanctuary.

Patuakhali can be reached from Dhaka by river and road  . As the Padma Bridge has been opened, it is possible to go from Dhaka to Patuakhali in much less time and easily by road. Non-AC bus fare from Dhaka to Patuakhali is Tk 600-850 and AC bus fare is Tk 950-1400. Besides, there is a direct launch from Dhaka to Galachipa. Panpatti Launch Ghat is at a distance of 10 km from Galachipa upazila headquarters of Patuakhali. It will take about 3 hours to reach the magical island Taapsee by trawler or launch from Panpatti launch ghat. You can feel Sonarchar only when you reach Taapsee. It takes about half an hour to travel from Taapsee to Sonarchar.

Besides, speed boats and trawlers can be hired directly from Galachipa Launch Ghat to Sonarchar. It takes only an hour and a half to go by speedboat. And it will cost 2500 to 3500 Tk. Again, Sonarchar can be reached in three hours from Kuakata by Inchin powered trawler.

Sonarchar has a Dakbungalow and forest department camp for tourists. If you want to stay somewhere better, you have to come to Patuakhali District Town or Galachipa Upazila Sadar. Patuakhali and Galachipa have several residential hotels of different quality. Besides, you can stay camping in Sonarchar.

Winter is the best time to visit any island or island. So it is better to know the weather and whether it is safe to travel by water at that time if you go at other times. In addition, since Sonarchar is a remote area, if you want to go there, you have to know about that place well. They should also think about their own safety. If you are camping or traveling in Sonarchar, it is best to have a group of a few people together.

Feature Image : Saleh Mohammad