Destination guide
Sonadia Island
সোনাদিয়া দ্বীপ
A quiet island beside Maheshkhali — 9 sq km, three sea beaches, red-crab burrows in the sand, and beach camping for the night. Legend has a gold-laden Portuguese-era ship sinking offshore — hence the name 'Swarno Dwip', the golden island. Tourists are nearly absent; it's known for shutki and large seashells.
History & significance
Beyond the golden-ship legend, the accounts carry no written history — the fishing-village life is the island's real character.
How to get there
From Maheshkhali — auto 50 tk to Gorokghata bazar, then local 40 tk or CNG 200 tk to Ghatibhanga ghat. Local trawlers run only at high tide, roughly a 9 am–noon window — miss it and you're stuck; fare 100 tk, about an hour. Alternative: a reserved speedboat ~3,500 tk one way.
Entry fee
৳0 · traveller-reported
No island ticket; costs are the boat and camping.
Opening hours & best time
The tide-bound trawler schedule rules everything — miss the boat and night falls on you; fix your return plan first.
Best time
Winter — the sea stays calm and camping is comfortable.
Traveller tips
Bring basics — water, a torch, band-aids; the island has next to no shops.
Mobile signal can be weak — leave your schedule with someone.