Bhola is the largest offshore island in Bangladesh, cradled between the lower Meghna and Tentulia rivers. Travellers take overnight launches from Sadarghat to reach its southern wildlife reserves at Char Kukri-Mukri, climb the 225-foot Jacob Tower in Char Fasson, or cross open river waters to remote Monpura. The island's rich silts support sprawling betel groves, water buffalo farms, and extensive river fisheries.
- From Dhaka
- About 220 km, 5.5 hours by road
- Best time
- October to March
- A day costs
- About ৳1,300 to ৳5,500 per person
What Bhola is famous for
- Buffalo milk curd মহিষের দই
- Hilsa fish ইলিশ মাছ
- Buffalo milk ghee মহিষের ঘি
- Betel nut সুপারি
How Bhola got its name
Historically called Dakshin Shahbazpur, the island is said to be named after Bhola Mia, an elderly boatman who operated a ferry across the Betua canal, or an ascetic named Bhola Thakur.
Places to visit in Bhola
Photo: HAHoque, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary চর কুকরি-মুকরি বন্যপ্রাণী অভয়ারণ্য
A coastal wildlife reserve on the southern rim of Bhola, with mangrove waterways, spotted deer, and winter bird flocks.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- A full day
- Cost
- Trawler hire roughly ৳2,000–3,500 round trip for a group; entry free
Photo: Syfullah Nabil, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Jacob Tower জ্যাকব টাওয়ার
A 225-foot modern observation tower in Char Fasson town, offering 360-degree views across coastal rivers and islands.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Tower entry roughly ৳100; bus from Bhola Sadar about ৳120–150
Bir Sreshtho Mostafa Kamal Memorial Museum বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ মোস্তফা কামাল স্মৃতি জাদুঘর
A memorial museum and public library in Alinagar honouring 1971 Liberation War hero Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal.
- Best time
- Year-round
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Entry free; easy-bike from Bhola town about ৳30–50 each way
Unseen Bhola: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Monpura Island মনপুরা দ্বীপ
A quiet, detached estuary island east of Bhola, with grazing buffalo herds, mangrove trails, and broad river skies.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- A full day
- Cost
- Launch fare roughly ৳80–120 per person each way; motorcycle rental on the island about ৳500–800 a day
How to get to Bhola
- Daily passenger launches run from Sadarghat in Dhaka to Ilisha ghat in northern Bhola in 4 to 5 hours, with overnight services continuing south to Betua and Char Fasson.
- Buses depart Sayedabad in Dhaka for Bhola via the Padma Bridge and Barishal, crossing the Tentulia River by vehicle ferry from Laharhat to Bheduria in 5 to 6 hours.
Where to stay in Bhola
Rooms run from about ৳800 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳2,200 mid-range and ৳5,000 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Hotel Papillon, Zaman Center, Sadar Road, Bhola
- Hotel Asia International, Sadar Road, Bhola
- Guest houses around Fashion Square in Char Fasson
- Hotels around Sadar Road in Bhola town
What to eat in Bhola
Bhola's signature delicacy is thick buffalo curd served in wide clay pots with date molasses or sugar. Fresh Meghna Hilsa is prepared in spicy mustard gravy, alongside crab curries, dried loitta fish bhorta, and fresh buffalo milk sweets.