Bakkhali is small, and most of its highlights lie within a short drive of one another. These five places cover the beach, the forest, the harbour, the sea and the village.
1. Bakkhali Beach
The main beach is wide and flat, with gentle surf on most days outside the monsoon. Walk towards Fraserganj for quieter sand, and stay for the evening light.
2. Henry's Island
Close to Bakkhali, Henry's Island is reached through a natural tunnel of trees. Wooden bridges cross the mangrove creeks, a watchtower looks over the forest and sea, and red crabs scatter across the beach.
3. Fraserganj
Named after Sir Andrew Fraser, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal from 1903 to 1908, Fraserganj has a government fishing harbour, a small wind farm and the ruins of a house that local people associate with Fraser.
4. Jambudwip, from the water
About 8 km south-west of Bakkhali, Jambudwip is a forested island where tourists are not allowed to land. Boats from Fraserganj circle it when the weather allows.
5. Bishalakshmi Temple
The village temple to the goddess Bishalakshmi is a local place of worship. Ask locally for puja timings, and visit respectfully.
Sources: Wikipedia articles on Bakkhali, Fraserganj, Henry's Island, Jambudwip and the Hatania Doania Bridge (accessed November 2026). Travel times are estimates; conditions change, so check locally.
