Sonadia Island

Sonadia is a crescent shaped island off the Cox's Bazar coast. The area of the island is about 9 sq km. Its western coast is sandy and is rich in different kinds of shells. At the northern part of the island, there are beds of windowpane oysters.

The history of human habitation of Sonadia Island is no more than 100-125 years. The island is divided into two neighborhoods or Para- East and West neighborhood. There live at around 2000 people in Sonadia Dwip. Most of the people live in Eastern side. Main occupations of the Islander are catching fish, collection of shrimp and other minnow etc.During winter, fishermen set up temporary camps on the island and dry sea fishes, which they catch from the sea. Every winter thousands of fishermen camp there and make large hauls.
Some people run their livehood by driving engine boat and vessel and also work as assistance. As saline water of sea surrounded the Sonadia Island, there is no chance for producing crop here. As a result, all the products of daily requirements have to collect from Maheshkhali Island, a nearer Island of Sonadia. There are two Mosques, one primary school, one cyclone center and about 12 deep tube-wells in Sonadia Island.

The island is also known as a paradise for migratory birds like ducks, sea-gulls, fowls and geese etc. During the winter season migratory birds in swarms are found crowding the beach, marshes and pools of the island.

Most of the Island is full of silvery sand. Somewhere you will find small sand mound, somewhere in the flat shape. In Sonadia Island the diversity of various kinds of creepers and Cactus plants which are really eye catching. Sonadia Island is rich in wildlife and beauty. It is a safe place for sea turtles. There is a hatchery for the breeding of the sea turtle in Sonadia Dwip. You can see giant sized turtle here. Visitors will be able to see the seemingly endless beds filled with windowpane oysters. Sonadia Island is a wildlife paradise, with splendor ahead of you in every corner, proving that now and again there is more to a destination than meets the eye.

How to Go Sonadia Island:

Sonadia Island is sited only 7 km from Cox’s Bazar. Though it is alienated from Cox’s Bazar, it is accessible. To go Sonadia Island, at first, you have to go Cox’s Bazar. Then you can manage a rickshaw or auto rickshaw for Maheshkhali Ghat (Jetty) or Kasturi Ghat of Cox’s Bazar. Here you will get many Speed Boat and Trawler. It will take only 20 minutes by a speed boat and 35 minutes may need by a trawler. A journey to Sonadia Island from Cox’s Bazar will be a thrilling journey which you will have been keeping in your mind for long time. The speed boat charge for single person is 50 taka and 25 taka is required to go by Trawler.

Sonadia Island is about 7 km north-west of Cox's Bazar. It is very rich for different kinds of shells. The island is sandy and

varity kinds of shells are found on the beach of The western part. And the northern part of the island, there are beds of window pane oysters. Sonadia Island is famous for the industry of dry fish. Fisherman set up temporary camps on the island and Dries Sea fishes during winter season, which they catch from Sea.Sonadia Island is a sanctuary for migratory birds such as petrels,

snipe, shanks, lapwings, geese and ducks and other waterfowl. According to legend, a ship laden with gold sunk here centuries ago during an attack by Portuguese pirates and an island formed around the shipwreck. It is only seven kilometer from Cox's Bazar and about nine square kilometer in area.

The western side of the island is sandy and different kinds of shells are found on the beach. Off the northern part of the island, there are beds of window pane oysters.

It was once renowned for pink pearls, but more profitable commercial fishing has seen this tradition slowly fade away. During the winter, the fisherman set up camp. And dry their catches of sea fish.