Countries / Bangladesh / Experiences
ExperienceCox's Bazar Marine Drive
About 80 km of road between the hills and the Bay of Bengal, from Cox's Bazar south to Teknaf. Ride it in an open-top chander gari with the sea wind in your face, and stop at waterfalls, coral-stone beaches and fishing villages on the way.
- Route
- Kolatoli, Cox's Bazar to Teknaf, about 80 km along the coast
- Time
- Half a day for Himchari and Inani. A full day for the whole road to Teknaf (about 5 hours of driving and stops).
- Best way
- A reserved chander gari (open jeep) for groups. A CNG auto-rickshaw for 2 to 4 people on the short trip.
- Best time
- The dry season, roughly November to March. Start early to beat the midday heat.
- Cost
- The road is free. See the price guide below.
- Getting here
- Driving down from Chittagong? See Chittagong to Cox's Bazar.
Prices, road conditions and local rules change. Confirm before you set off.
The experience
Marine Drive opened in 2017. The Bangladesh Army built it, and it is often called the world's longest marine drive. For most of the way the sea is on one side and green hills are on the other. Locals and visitors ride it for the views, often in a chander gari ("moon car"): an open-backed jeep with bench seats, the classic way to see the coast.
Stops along the way
From north to south:
- Kolatoli. The start of the drive, at the southern end of Cox's Bazar's hotel strip.
- Himchari National Park. Forested hills with a waterfall (fullest after the rains) and steps up to a lookout over the beach.
- Inani Beach. Known for its coral stones and clearer water. The most popular stop, and the usual turnaround for half-day trips.
- Patuartek and Shamlapur. Quieter beaches and fishing villages further south, where you'll see far fewer visitors.
- Teknaf Beach and Sabrang. The far end of the road, near Bangladesh's southern tip. Read the safety note below before you go this far.
Quick stops on the way
Small places most people drive straight past. Each is tagged by how long it's worth: 15 min for a quick break, 1 hour for a short experience. Follow the line from Cox's Bazar south to Teknaf. Grey dots are well-known landmarks, to help you keep your place.
Estimated times, based on approximate distances and average driving speeds, plus the time shown on each stop. Untick "Stop here" to drive past a stop. Traffic, holidays and checkpoints can add a lot.
Swipe sideways to follow the road on a small screen.
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Kolatoli, Cox's Bazar
Start of Marine Drive
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Himchari National Park
Waterfall and lookout
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1 hour
Pechar Dwip
Just south of Himchari
A quieter, more secluded beach just south of Himchari, with a beachside resort café for a slow tea or lunch.
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15 min
Reju Khal bridge
Where the creek meets the sea
Stop on the bridge where the Reju Khal creek meets the sea. Stay an hour and go kayaking on the creek.
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15 min
Sonarpara Beach
Just past the Reju Khal bridge
Just past the Reju Khal bridge: a beach lined with casuarina trees, shady and calm.
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15 min
Colourful fishing boats
All along the drive
Painted wooden boats line the shore along the drive. Mornings, when fishermen bring in the catch, are the liveliest.
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1 hour
Inani at low tide
Inani Beach
Most visitors come at the wrong time. At low tide coral rocks appear out of the water, and afternoons are less crowded. Check the tide before you go.
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1 hour
Patuartek
South of Inani
A rocky, little-visited beach with calm water. Good for photos and a quiet walk.
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1 hour
Shamlapur Hill View Beach
Further south
Green hills right behind the sand, and far fewer people than Inani.
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15 min
Mathin's Well, Teknaf
Teknaf town
A historic well tied to a local love story, at the Teknaf police station near the Naf River. Read the Teknaf safety note first.
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Teknaf
End of Marine Drive, about 80 km from Kolatoli
Ask your driver to stop: most chander gari and CNG drivers know these places. Agree extra waiting time in the price.
Which way to travel
- Chander gari (open jeep): best for groups. Plenty of air and views, room for a group, and cheap per person once you split it. Little shade, though, and no seat belts.
- CNG auto-rickshaw: best for 2 to 4 people on the short trip. Cheap and easy to find. Fine to Himchari and Inani, but cramped and slow for the full 80 km.
- Private car with driver: best for the full road to Teknaf. Air conditioning, shade and seat belts on a long, hot day. It costs the most.
- Motorbike or scooter (self-ride): experienced riders only. The most freedom, but traffic on the road includes fast buses and trucks. You need a valid licence. Wear a helmet, and check whether fuel is included.
Price guide
These are rough ranges from travel guides, rental operators and the Cox's Bazar district website. They vary by season, group size and how hard you bargain. Prices are in Bangladeshi taka (৳).
| Option | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chander gari, reserved: Himchari and Inani round trip | ৳1,500–2,500 | Whole jeep. Seats about 12 to 15. Morning start, back by afternoon. |
| Chander gari, shared seat | about ৳250 per seat | Fills up near the beach. Leaves when full. |
| Chander gari, full day | much higher, about ৳8,000 quoted | One operator's daily rate with driver and fuel. Agree the route (to Teknaf or not) before you set off. |
| CNG auto-rickshaw: Himchari and Inani round trip | ৳600–1,200 | Includes waiting time. Up to about 4 or 5 people. |
| Private car with driver: Cox's Bazar to Teknaf | from about ৳4,000 | Starting price from a rental operator. More for a return trip with stops. |
| Motorbike or scooter | ৳500–1,500 per day | Hourly rentals exist too. Fuel is often extra. |
Always agree the price, the stops, the waiting time and whether fuel is included before you get in.
Where to rent
- On the beachfront. Chander garis and CNGs wait near the main beach points: Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli. Shared jeeps fill up there too.
- Kolatoli. The start of Marine Drive, with the most rental shops for motorbikes and scooters.
- Through your hotel. Most hotels can book a jeep, CNG or car with driver. It may cost a little more, but you get a known driver.
- Car rental agencies in Cox's Bazar. For a private car or a full day to Teknaf. Book a day ahead in peak season.
Get ready to go
- Sun and heat. An open jeep has little shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
- The sea. Currents along this coast can be strong. Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, and follow the flags.
- The road. Waves have damaged parts of Marine Drive in past years. Ask locally about closures, especially after storms or in the monsoon.
- Ukhia and Teknaf. The southern end passes the area where Rohingya refugees mostly live. The UK government advises caution here, says you may need local permission to travel in the area, and reports gang violence in Teknaf. Don't enter the refugee camps without official permission. Check the latest advice before going beyond Inani.
- Cash. Carry small notes for fares and snacks. Card payment is rare at the stops.
Sources
- Cox's Bazar district portal (Government of Bangladesh): jeep fares to Himchari and Inani
- Wikipedia: Cox's Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive
- Dhaka Tribune: Discover Marine Drive
- Dhaka Tribune: Marine Drive damaged by the sea
- Cox's Bazar Rent A Car: chander gari daily rate
- Visit Bangladesh: Cox's Bazar on a budget (CNG and bike prices)
- The Daily Star: Exploring the wonders around Cox's Bazar
- Bangladesh Branding: Cox's Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive
- Wikipedia: Mermaid Beach Resort, Pechar Dwip
- GOV.UK: Bangladesh regional risks (Ukhia and Teknaf)
- U.S. Department of State: Bangladesh travel advisory
Last checked October 2026.