Your Complete Guide to Exploring Patenga Sea Beach in Chittagong - 2025

Location

Patenga Sea Beach is a favorite destination for travel enthusiasts visiting Chittagong city. Located 14 kilometers south of the city’s Zero Point, this picturesque beach is situated near Shah Amanat International Airport.

Approximately 22 kilometers separate the city from the beach.

One-Day Trip to Patenga

Alternatively, you can visit Patenga along with a few other places and return to Dhaka within a day. For this, you need to start your journey from Dhaka on a night train or bus.

Upon reaching Chittagong in the morning, have breakfast and head straight to Patenga. We return by midday for lunch After we exploring the beach. Later, take the Sonar Bangla train or a bus back to Dhaka.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

• Karnaphuli River – Stunning waterway where the river meets the Bay of Bengal, creating a spectacular view.

• Bangladesh Naval Academy – Best prestigious institution with a scenic coastal setting near Patenga.

• Marine Academy Bangladesh – Located by the river’s edge, this academy has been training maritime professionals since 1962.

• Shah Amanat International Airport – Main airport serving Chittagong, conveniently close to Patenga Beach.

• Tunnel – Country’s first and only underwater tunnel, connecting the two banks of the Karnaphuli River.

• Deyang Hill – Home to the 200-year-old Boro Uthan Mia Bari, originally established by Raja Shyam Ray, a notable figure in Bengal’s military history. After converting to Islam, he became Dewan Monohar Ali Khan.

  His family has lived in the area for over 360 years. Today, his 16th descendant, Sajjad Ali Khan (Mithu), still lives in Chittagong.

• Mariam Ashram – A spiritual retreat with a history dating back 500 years, also located atop Deyang Hill.

How to get there ?

Begin your journey to Patenga Beach by traveling to Chittagong from anywhere in the country. Buses, trains, and flights are available from Dhaka and Sylhet, while buses or trains are the best options from other parts of the country.

Once you arrive at the airport, Patenga Sea Beach is immediately visible if you’re traveling by air.

Nestled between hills, with a river on one side and the vast sea on the other, the mouth of the Karnaphuli River is one of the most stunning in the world.

You’ll find the airport On one side and the renovated Naval Academy, while the other side boasts Deyang Hill, Mariam Ashram, and the Marine Academy.

At night, the view of the Karnaphuli River merging with the Bay of Bengal from the Naval Beach, near the Naval Academy, is simply breathtaking.

Along the shore, food stalls are set up, offering cozy chairs and tables, while shops sell stylish seashell and conch jewelry. The area is especially lively on weekends and during festivals like Eid, with tourists flocking to shop and enjoy the sights.

What to do ?

Along the beach and in the adjoining Zhou tree forest, various food stalls have been set up. During afternoons and holidays, Patenga Beach draws a large crowd. If you want to catch the sunrise, you need to wake up early and head to the beach.

In the evening, if you wish, you can enter the water for a refreshing experience. However, keep in mind that the width of Patenga Beach is not very large, and swimming in the sea can be risky here.

Experience a speedboat ride in the sea for a more thrilling adventure. Additionally, there are sea bikes and horses available along the shoreline for leisurely rides.

These activities are available at fixed hourly rental rates. You can also spot ships navigating the sea or planes flying overhead.

Usually, as the afternoon progresses, the tide begins to rise. Before the high tide, the embankment may submerge partially, and the waves rush to the shore.

Beach of Patenga offers a very scenic sunset in the evening. Thanks to enhanced security measures, tourists can enjoy the beach and stay until sunset comfortably.

What to eat ?

Sea Beach of Patenga is one of the best places for delicious and mouth-watering street food at very affordable prices. Popular dishes at the food stalls is spicy fried crab, served with a plate of chickpeas garnished with cucumber and onions.

A Burmese market has also been set up at the beach, where you can shop for your favorite items while enjoying the surroundings.

Where to Stay ?

Since Patenga Sea Beach is not far from Chittagong city, you can opt to stay in the city itself. There is no shortage of 5-star hotels in the city.

However, in recent times, several hotels have been established near Patenga Sea Beach. One such charming place to stay is Butterfly Park Rest House, with rates ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 BDT.

Karnaphuli River

Meaning ear flower — “Karnaphuli” —  carries a tale of love and loss.

Long ago, the princess of Arakan fell deeply in love with an indigenous Rajput prince. During a moonlit night, the two set out on a peaceful boat ride.

While admiring the moon’s reflection shimmering in the river’s clear waters, the flower from her ear accidentally fell into the river. With a sudden rush to retrieve it, she jumped into the water, only to be carried away by the strong current.

prince dove in after her, but despite his desperate attempt to save her, he was unable to bring her back. Consumed by sorrow, he let himself drown in the river that had taken his beloved.

This tragic legend gave the river its name—Karnaphuli.

visit Patenga To experience its magic, where the Karnaphuli River meets the Bay of Bengal. At their confluence, the difference in water color is strikingly visible—an awe-inspiring sight that words can’t fully capture. It’s a moment best seen, not told.

Bangladesh Naval Academy

This is a national institution established for the basic training of naval cadets in the Bangladesh Navy. Bangladesh Naval Academy was founded in 1976 with 14 cadets. In 1977, the academy was moved to Chittagong, to the main naval base, Ba-nou-ja Isa Khan.

With the guiding principle “Fight in the path of Allah,” the academy has been playing a remarkable role in training both domestic and foreign naval officers for over three decades. Starting from July 1998, the first batch of foreign naval cadets began their training at the Bangladesh Naval Academy.

Until 2009, a total of 36 foreign cadets from friendly countries such as Palestine, Maldives, and Qatar have graduated from the academy with commissions.

Marine Academy

Established in 1962 in Chittagong, the Marine Academy was founded to develop a skilled workforce for the global commercial shipping industry. It offers world-class training and facilities for cadets, deck officers, and marine engineers preparing for careers on international vessels.

Situated near the confluence of the Karnaphuli River and the Bay of Bengal, the Academy has remained committed to maritime education since its inception.

Nearly 4,000 cadets specializing in nautical science and marine engineering have graduated from the institution and are now serving as Master Mariners and marine engineers on commercial ships across the globe.

Tips

It’s better to go in groups when visiting the beach to avoid any uncomfortable situations. Should you face any danger or have a complaint, you can report it to the beach’s mobile police station.

Staying in well-populated areas is recommended for your safety.

Whether you’re taking a speedboat, boat ride, or horseback riding, it’s recommended to inquire about the rates and ensure you understand the charges beforehand.

Conclusions

Travel enthusiasts visiting Patenga Sea Beach are greeted by the vibrant sounds of waves and the crashing surf of the blue waters.  Every day Patenga beach is bustling with hundreds of visitors.

From here, one can spot ships anchored at the outer harbor of the port. These ships appear like bright lights on the sea at sunset, resembling a sparkling city. Witnessing the sunset at Patenga Beach is truly breathtaking.

Ships from various countries, each flying a different flag, line the horizon and create a mesmerizing sight. Few river mouths in the world offer such a breathtaking blend of beauty as this one.