Barguna, a coastal pearl of beauty

Barguna, a southern district along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, is famous for its stunning natural landscape, green belt, mangrove forest and peaceful beach in Bangladesh. As one of south’s key fishing hubs, Barguna offers an abundance of fresh fish and dried fish. Foremost tourist spots include Sonakata Sea Beach, Laldia Forest, Tengragiri Ecopark, Rakhine Palli, Bibichini Shahi Mosque and Horin Ghata.

Barguna offers some breathtakingly beautiful sites for visitors. Winter is the best season to visit, offering pleasant weather, ideal for exploring forests and beaches. However, travellers should monitor weather forecasts beforehand due to the region's location along the shoreline.

Tengragiri Ecopark

Located 24 kilometre off Talatali upazila, Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses a vast forest area that is part of the world's largest halophytic forest. Sonakata Sea Beach is situated right next to this ecopark.
Declared a reserved forest on 12 July 1960, the area was originally called Fatrar Forest by locals before being renamed Tengragiri Forest in 1967. It is the second-largest mangrove forest in Bangladesh after the Sundarbans, flooded twice daily by high tides. The unique blend of saline and freshwater supports numerous endangered plant species, animals, birds and reptiles.

Visitors are captivated by the lush mangroves, red crabs darting along the shore, birdsong and breathtaking sunset on the horizon. A forest department resthouse and picnic corner are available here.

Laldia Forest in Patharghata Upazila offers visitors a stunning glimpse of unspoiled coastal wilderness. Photo: Asian Age

Laldia Forest and Sea Beach

Situated south of Patharghata Upazila, Laldia Forest and Sea Beach lie within the Barguna section of the Sundarbans. Travellers can reach Laldia Forest by walking approximately two hours through Horin Ghata. The Bishkhali River flows to the east, while the Baleshwar River, flows to the west. A small yet stunning beach sits at the forest's eastern edge, surrounded by two rivers and the sea. The bird’s forest calls, the wild beauty of the ocean and the sight of seagulls and red crabs create a harmonious natural experience.

Horin Ghata Tourist Center—a gateway to the Sundarbans' wild beauty and tranquil river confluences. Photo: Local Guides Connects/Kamal Hossen

Horin Ghata Tourist Centre
Located in southern Barguna, Horin Ghata Tourist Centre offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the allure of natural forests and the sea. This habitat of diverse trees and wildlife is also part of the Sundarbans. The Baleshwar, Bishkhali, and Payra rivers flow near the forest before merging into the Bay of Bengal. Far from urban noise, visitors can enjoy bird songs, scenic beauty, and possible sightings of deer, monkeys, wild boars, and other animals. A watchtower provides excellent views of the surrounding landscape.

A breathtaking view of Shubha Sandhya Sea Beach in Barguna, the confluence of Payra, Bishkhali, and Baleshwar rivers before meeting the Bay of Bengal. Photo: Vromon Guide/ Mizanur

Shubha Sandhya Sea Beach

This beach lies at the confluence of Barguna's three main rivers—Payra, Bishkhali, and Baleshwar—and stretches approximately four kilometers along the shoreline. Located about 15 kilometres southwest of Talatali Upazila Sadar, adjacent to Sonakata Ecopark, this sandbar in Nalabunia has become a highly promising tourist destination.
Visitors can observe numerous fishermen living on this sandbar, which features a long beach, dense forest, and a large, dried fish processing village. People from across the country build temporary shelters for shutki production, which keeps them busy for months each year. Nearby lies the large Rakhine village of Talatali, where handloom weaving continues late into the night under lamplight on the shores.

The facade of Bibichini Shahi Mosque, built in 1659 AD. Photo: Wikipedia

Bibichini Shahi Mosque

Perched on a hilltop in Bibichini village of Betagi Upazila, this approximately 350-year-old mosque showcases Mughal architecture and attracts visitors with its history, design, and mysteries.
Located 10 kilometres off Betagi Upazila Sadar, the mosque was built in 1659 AD by Hazrat Shah Niyamat Ullah (RA), who came from Persia to spread Islam. The village was named after his daughters Chinibibi and Isabibi. The mosque was named Bibichini Shahi Mosque. Renovated by archaeology department, it remains one of the country’s oldest and most historic mosques, drawing tourists throughout the year.

Way to go

Several bus services operate from Gabtoli and Sayedabad in Dhaka to Barguna, including Islam Transport, Shyamoli NR Travels, Sonar Tori Transport, Druti Transport, Sakura Transport, and Abdullah Transport. Fares range from Tk 650 to Tk 850.
Direct overnight launches are a popular option. Services include MV Bandhan-7, Yubraj-4, Yubraj-2, Allahu Morji, Nusrat, and Moshiron Khan. The journey takes 10 to 12 hours, depending on river conditions and speed. Deck fare is Tk 500, single cabin Tk 1,300, and double cabin Tk 2,500.

From Barguna town, trollars and boats can be rented to reach Laldia Forest. Alternatively, visitors can walk through Horin Ghata in the Sundarbans to explore Laldia Forest and Sea Beach.

Where to stay

Overnight accommodation is available in Barguna Sadar. Notable options include Zila Parishad Rest House, LGED Rest House, Water Development Board Rest House, Khamarbari Rest House, Public Works Department Rest House, Grand Khan Guest House, Barguna Rest House, Hotel Greenview International, Agro Service Centre, CRP Rest House, Hotel Tajbin, Hotel Alam, Hotel Moumita and Hotel Falguni.