Perched roughly 280 feet above sea level on Mainak Hill, Adinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and traces its roots back several centuries under the patronage of local kings and zamindars. A covered stairway climbs from the island canal through wooded slopes to the whitewashed temple complex, which includes a natural stone lingam and shrines to Durga and Kali. Each February during Phalguna, a massive eight-day fair draws Hindu pilgrims from across Bengal and Tripura.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Speedboat crossing about ৳100–120 each way; local auto-rickshaw to hill about ৳50; entry free
How to get to Adinath Temple
From Cox's Bazar Kasturi Ghat (6 No. Ghat), take a speedboat across the channel to Maheshkhali jetty (15–20 minutes), then an auto-rickshaw 10 minutes to the hill base.
Cox's Bazar town is about 395 km from Dhaka, around 8 hours by road. Every way to get there is in the Cox's Bazar guide.
Speedboat service across the Maheshkhali channel may be suspended during stormy weather or high gale warnings.
More to see in Cox's Bazar
Photo: Tanvir Rahat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Inani Beach ইনানী সমুদ্র সৈকত
A 18-kilometre coral stone beach along the Marine Drive, where black volcanic and coral rocks emerge during low tide.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; open auto-rickshaw round trip from Kolatoli about ৳600–800
Photo: Niaz morshed Shovon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Saint Martin's Island সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপ
Bangladesh's sole coral island, surrounded by turquoise waters, coconut palms and coral reefs in the north-eastern Bay of Bengal.
- Best time
- November to January
- Give it
- A full day
- Cost
- Ship round trip roughly ৳1,500–2,500 depending on class; travel pass fee included with online ticket
Photo: Rocky Masum This work was made by Masum-al-Hasan Rocky and released under the, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Himchhari National Park হিমছড়ি জাতীয় উদ্যান
A protected coastal reserve on the Marine Drive featuring a seasonal hill waterfall and a hilltop gazebo overlooking the sea.
- Best time
- October to February
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳30 for Bangladeshis; round trip auto-rickshaw from Kolatoli about ৳300–400
Photo: Zislam1968, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Sonadia Island সোনাদিয়া দ্বীপ
A barrier island off Maheshkhali with wide sandy beaches, mangrove creeks, thousands of red crabs, and winter migratory shorebirds.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Speedboat and local boat hires roughly ৳500–800 round trip per person in a shared group