A bunch of black pomfret fish in fisheries market

Fishery Ghat

Chittagong’s big fish landing and wholesale market on the Karnaphuli River, at its liveliest before sunrise. Allow about an hour.

About Fishery Ghat

Every night, fishing boats return from the Bay of Bengal up the Karnaphuli River to unload at Fishery Ghat. By first light the riverbank is a mass of baskets, ice, shouting traders and porters running catches from the boats to the auction floor, where fish are sold in bulk to buyers from across the city.

What you see depends on the season and the tides: silvery pomfret, shrimp, mackerel, sharks and rays, and in the monsoon months hilsa, the fish Bengalis love most. The colourful wooden boats moored side by side make a striking backdrop, and the noise and energy are unforgettable.

This is a working market, so it is wet, slippery and strong-smelling, and the action fades by mid-morning. Go early with a guide who knows where to stand out of the way. Evergreen Bangladesh Tours brings guests here on early-start private tours of Chittagong, followed by breakfast and a calmer stop such as the Central Railway Building.

Things to do

  • Watch the boats unload

    At dawn, porters carry baskets of fish from the boats to the market floor in a constant stream.

  • See the wholesale auction

    Traders bid for catches in rapid Bangla, one of the most lively scenes in the city.

  • Spot the catch of the day

    Look for pomfret, shrimp, rays and, in the rainy season, piles of hilsa.

  • Photograph the river

    The painted wooden fishing boats on the Karnaphuli make a great early-morning picture.

Getting there

From central Chittagong: 15 to 30 minutes by car or CNG auto-rickshaw. Early in the morning the roads are mostly clear.

From Dhaka: stay overnight in Chittagong, as the market is best around sunrise.

Where to stay

Stay in central Chittagong, around Agrabad or GEC Circle, so an early start is easy.

More to see in Chattogram

Tours that visit Fishery Ghat

Questions

What time should I go to Fishery Ghat?

Around sunrise. The busiest trading is usually over by mid-morning.

Is it suitable for tourists?

Yes, with a guide and an open mind. It is a working market, so expect mud, crowds and strong smells.

Can I take photos?

Generally yes. Most traders are friendly, but ask before close-up portraits and stay out of the way of porters.

Is it open every day?

Usually, though activity depends on the fishing season and the weather. Fishing bans in certain months make it quieter.

Plan my trip WhatsApp