Got a spare day in Cox's Bazar? Teknaf, at the end of the Marine Drive, has a legendary well, a river border and quiet beaches.
Tourist ships to Saint Martin's now leave from Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox's Bazar, so most visitors never see Teknaf. If you have a spare day before or after the island, the drive down the Marine Drive to Teknaf is worth it. Here's what to see.
Teknaf is close to the Myanmar border. Follow any instructions from the local administration and the security forces, and check the news before you go.
The Marine Drive
The road from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf runs between the sea and the hills for most of the way. Stop at a few beaches on the way; mornings and late afternoons are the nicest.
Places to see
- Mathin's Well (Mathiner Kup): a well with a famous love story, in the Teknaf police station grounds. It has been restored, with the story written on the wall beside it (The Daily Star).
- The Naf river jetty: the Naf is the border with Myanmar; from the jetty you can see the hills of Rakhine across the river (Teknaf, Wikipedia).
- Teknaf beach: about 5 km west of the town, quieter than Cox's Bazar, with colourful fishing boats and good sunsets.
- Shamlapur beach: on the way, where in winter you can often see fishermen pulling in seine nets in the morning.
Planning the day
- Leave Cox's Bazar early: it's a long drive each way.
- Carry your ID.
- Don't plan Teknaf on the same day as your ship to Saint Martin's: the ship leaves early in the morning from Cox's Bazar.
For the ship itself, see how to go to Saint Martin and Teknaf to Saint Martin.
