Kolatoli Beach, Cox's Bazar

Photo: Thomas Faraday, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kolatoli Beach

Kolatoli is the hotel strip of Cox’s Bazar, a calmer stretch of beach south of town backed by the big resorts. It is the best base for a few relaxed days by the sea and the start of the Marine Drive south.

About Kolatoli Beach

Head south from Sugandha Beach and the crowds thin out. Kolatoli is where most of the large hotels and resorts of Cox’s Bazar stand, many with sea-view rooms and pools, and the beach in front of them feels more spacious than the points nearer town.

Mornings here are lovely. Fishermen haul in nets, joggers and walkers share the hard sand at low tide, and the light over the water is soft before the heat builds. In the evening you can walk north to the busier Laboni Beach for the town atmosphere, then come back to a quieter hotel.

Kolatoli is also where the coast road begins. The Marine Drive runs south from here between the hills and the sea, past Himchari and on to Inani Beach, and it makes a beautiful half-day drive with stops at viewpoints and fishing villages. We often base guests at Kolatoli and plan beach time, the Marine Drive and a boat trip to Maheshkhali Island around it.

Things to do

  • Morning beach walk

    Walk the hard sand at low tide, watch fishermen bring in their nets and enjoy the beach before the day crowds arrive.

  • Marine Drive

    Drive south along the coast road towards Himchari and Inani, with hills on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other.

  • Fishing boats

    Colourful wooden boats are pulled up on the sand along this stretch, a favourite subject for photographers in the early light.

  • Hotel downtime

    After long road days elsewhere in Bangladesh, a sea-view room and a pool here make an easy rest stop.

Getting there

From Dhaka: fly to Cox’s Bazar in about an hour, or take the direct train or an overnight coach. Kolatoli is a short drive from the airport.

Along the beach: tuk-tuks run up and down the beach road, and you can walk to Sugandha and Laboni along the sand.

Where to stay

Kolatoli has the widest choice of larger hotels and resorts in Cox’s Bazar, many with sea views. Book well ahead for December, January and Bangladeshi public holidays, when rooms fill quickly. For a quieter stay, the resorts further south along the Marine Drive towards Inani are calmer than those in town.

More to see in Cox’s Bazar

Tours that visit Kolatoli Beach

Questions

Is Kolatoli quieter than Laboni?

Yes, generally. It is still a busy area, but the beach in front of the big hotels feels more spacious than the points nearer town.

Can I swim at Kolatoli?

In calm winter weather you can swim near the lifeguard flags. Avoid swimming in rough seas, at night or during the monsoon months.

How far is Inani Beach from Kolatoli?

Inani is down the Marine Drive, roughly an hour by car depending on stops.

When is the best time to visit?

November to March brings calm seas, dry weather and clear sunsets. The monsoon from June to September is wet and the sea is rough.

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