Shahpari Island/Shah Parir Dwip is located in the southernmost part of the mainland of Bangladesh. It is a village in the Sabrang Union of Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar. The distance from Teknaf to Shahpari Island is about 15 km. Fishing and salt farming are the main occupations of the people of this island with a population of only 40,000. There are markets, schools, madrasahs, mosques, etc. on this island. It is believed that today it is connected to the mainland, but in the past, it was an island.
As there is no lifeguard on Shahpari Island, there is no system to determine the tide of the sea. Therefore, if you want to go to the sea, you have to know the time of tide on your initiative. Avoid going into the sea during low tide.
Shahpari Island has three beaches. Maungdu province of Myanmar can be seen from this island. Also visible are Arcane Hills and Saint Martin Island. Here the survival life of fishermen fighting against the sea will inspire you. And you will see a vast land of salt cultivation.
Besides, on the way to Shahpari Island, you can see Rohingya slums, tribal settlements, mountain caves, and Mathin’s wells. If you want, you can travel from Saint Martin Island by trawler or boat. Besides, if you want, you can pitch a tent and go camping on Shahpari Island. Shahpari Island has BDR Chowki and Watch Tower.
How to go
Teknaf can be directly reached by bus from Dhaka. Besides, you can take any bus from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, and from there you can go to Teknaf. Various buses depart from Cox’s Bazar from 6 am to 8 pm for Teknaf city. Bus departure times vary slightly during monsoons. It takes two to two and a half hours to cover about 80 km. And the bus fare is 140 taka per person. Or you can go to Teknaf by local or reserve CNG from Cox’s Bazar.
It takes 40 to 45 minutes to go to Shahpari Island by CNG from Teknaf during the dry season. During the rainy season, you have to rent a boat or trawler for 20 to 30 taka per person, going to CNG halfway. CNG fare from Teknaf to Shahpari Island is Tk 100 per person. CNG stops in front of Shahpari Island Jetty, from where Golar Char is accessible on foot.