Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar holds the title of the world's longest natural sea beach — a 120-kilometre unbroken stretch of golden sand that curves gently from Teknaf in the south to Cox's Bazar town in the north. At dawn, the beach is quiet, the horizon turning pink and gold before the fishing boats head out. By afternoon, it's alive with vendors, horses, and the steady crash of Bay of Bengal waves.

Beyond the main beach, Cox's Bazar rewards exploration. Inani beach to the south is quieter and studded with ancient coral rocks at low tide. Himchari has a forest behind it and a waterfall that runs in the wet season. And at the very tip of the peninsula, Saint Martin's Island waits — Bangladesh's only coral island, accessible by ferry.

Trips here run year-round, though the sea is calmest between November and March. The monsoon brings dramatic skies and empty beaches — for those who don't mind the rain, it can be stunning.