Cox’s Bazar is synonymous with the sea, waves and the bustle of tourists. Thousands of people flock every day to Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatoli points. But for those looking to escape the crowds and spend some quiet time by the sea, Nazirartek offers a different kind of experience.
Located along the Bay of Bengal to the south-west of Cox’s Bazar town, Nazirartek Beach remains largely away from the tourist spotlight. Its vast sandy shore, open sky, rolling waves and the busy lives of fishermen together preserve a more natural and unadorned side of the sea.
There is little of the noise found at the city’s main beaches. There are no rows of shops or large crowds of tourists. Instead, the sound of waves can be heard from afar, fishing boats can be seen heading out to sea, and fishermen returning to shore can be seen busy with their daily work.
For people who want to spend some time close to nature, Nazirartek can be an appealing destination.
Where the sea meets fishermen’s lives
A major part of Nazirartek’s charm lies in its fishing community and the livelihoods built around the sea.
Fishermen leave for the sea in their boats at dawn. Some prepare their nets, others ready their boats, while those returning from the sea become busy unloading and handling their catch.
Standing on the beach and watching these scenes, one realises that the sea here is not merely a source of beauty — it is an integral part of people’s lives and livelihoods.
Fishing boats, nets laid out to dry, trawlers returning with their catch and the bustle of people along the sandy shore give Nazirartek a character that sets it apart from many other beaches.
Nazirartek takes on a different look in the monsoon
The beach takes on a different character during the monsoon. Dark clouds gather across the sky, sometimes accompanied by drizzle and at other times by torrential rain, while the rough sea creates a dramatic setting.
On cloudy days, the blue of the sea appears deeper. When the horizon disappears and the sea and sky seem to merge, standing on the sandy shore offers a striking sense of nature’s vastness.
Walking along the wet sand after rain, watching the waves or simply sitting beneath a cloud-covered sky and listening to the roar of the sea can be among the attractions of Nazirartek.
However, the sea can become rough during the monsoon. Tourists should therefore exercise caution before entering the water and follow any warnings issued by the local administration, lifeguards or relevant authorities.
Sunsets with a story of their own
Sunset at Nazirartek has a charm of its own. As the last light of the afternoon spreads across the sea, the colours of the sky gradually change. Golden light falls over the sand, while glimmers of light dance on the foamy waves.
Unlike the city’s busier beaches, there are fewer crowds here at sunset, allowing people to enjoy the moment in relative solitude.
For photography enthusiasts, too, Nazirartek can offer an excellent setting. The cloudy sky, fishing boats, waves, expansive sandy shore and sunset come together to create a variety of striking frames.
Not far from the town
Nazirartek Beach can be reached from Cox’s Bazar town by local transport. Auto-rickshaws, battery-powered three-wheelers and CNG-run auto-rickshaws can be used to travel towards Nazirartek. It is also possible to go by private car.
It is advisable, however, to check the current road conditions with local residents before setting out. During the monsoon, rainwater can accumulate on some roads and connecting routes, making travel somewhat difficult.
A new opportunity for tourism
Nazirartek could become an important destination as Cox’s Bazar seeks to expand its tourism offerings. Developing the area as a planned tourist destination could help ease pressure on the main beaches while creating a new attraction for tourists.
However, environmental protection must accompany tourism development.
Measures should be taken to prevent the dumping of plastic, polythene and other waste on the beach. Effective initiatives are also needed to protect sand dunes, natural vegetation and marine biodiversity.
If planned infrastructure, cleanliness, safety, tourist-friendly connectivity and environmental protection can be ensured, Nazirartek could establish itself as a new attraction on Cox’s Bazar’s tourism map.
A quiet stretch of sea beyond the crowds
For those visiting Cox’s Bazar who want to experience the sea without the crowds, Nazirartek can be a worthwhile alternative.
Its appeal lies not only in the beauty of the sea but also in the lives of the people who depend on it — the struggles of fishermen, the stories of their boats, the vast sandy shore and the quietness of nature.
For anyone wishing to get away from the crowds, listen to the waves beneath a cloudy sky or observe the lives of people whose existence is closely tied to the sea, a trip to Nazirartek can be worth making.
There, perhaps, the sea will welcome you not as a tourist, but almost as one of its own.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
