Photo: কুউ পুলক, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Laboni Beach
About Laboni Beach
Laboni Beach is where most visitors to Cox’s Bazar first step onto the sand. It sits right at the edge of town, so it is the easiest point to reach and the busiest, with families, school groups and honeymooners walking the waterline from early morning until well after dark.
This is not a quiet beach, and that is the point. You will see beach photographers, horse rides, deckchairs under umbrellas, shell sellers and tea stalls, and on holidays the crowds are part of the show. Behind the beach, small markets sell shell crafts, dried fish and Rakhine and Burmese textiles, a reminder that the town has long traded across the bay.
The beach faces west, so late afternoon is the best time: the light softens, the sand cools and the sun drops straight into the sea. For food stalls, walk south to Sugandha Beach; for big hotels and a calmer feel, carry on to Kolatoli Beach. All three are parts of the same long shoreline, and you can walk between them along the sand.
On our private tours of Cox’s Bazar, your guide can time a Laboni walk for sunset and help you find the better markets in town.
Things to do
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Sunset walk
The beach faces west over the Bay of Bengal. Walk the waterline in the last hour of light, when the crowds and the colours are at their best.
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Market browsing
Small markets near the beach and in town sell shell crafts, Rakhine weaving, Burmese-style sandals and pickles. Bargain gently.
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People-watching
Laboni is where Bangladesh comes on holiday. Pull up a deckchair, order a tea and watch family photos, horse rides and kite flying.
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Beach walk south
Follow the sand south to Sugandha and Kolatoli. It is an easy walk and shows how the mood changes along the shore.
Getting there
From Dhaka: fly to Cox’s Bazar in about an hour, take the direct train or an overnight coach. Laboni is a few minutes by car or tuk-tuk from the airport and town centre.
In Cox’s Bazar: battery rickshaws and tuk-tuks run along the beach road, and our driver can drop you at the Laboni entrance.
Where to stay
Most travellers stay along the beach road between Laboni and Kolatoli, where you will find everything from simple guesthouses to large sea-view hotels. Staying near Laboni puts you closest to the town and its markets.
More to see in Cox’s Bazar
Tours that visit Laboni Beach
Holiday Tours
Explore the Natural Beauty of Bangladesh
Price on request
Questions
Is Laboni Beach good for swimming?
You can paddle and swim near the lifeguard flags in calm weather, usually from November to March. Currents can be strong, so do not swim alone, at night or in rough seas.
What should I wear on the beach?
Most Bangladeshis swim fully clothed. Shorts and a T-shirt over swimwear are the comfortable choice for visitors and draw far less attention than a bikini.
How much time do I need at Laboni?
An hour or two is enough for a walk and the sunset. Add time if you want to browse the markets in town.
How is Laboni different from Sugandha and Kolatoli?
Laboni is the busiest point nearest town, Sugandha is known for its food stalls, and Kolatoli is the hotel strip further south. They are all on the same continuous beach.