Bhola’s Tarua beach is increasingly attracting repeat visits from travellers, as the remote island shoreline gains attention for its natural beauty and wildlife, according to local residents, visitors and officials.
The beach is located on a small island in the south of Dhalchar Union in Charfesson Upazila, at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal, bordered by the Meghna, Tetulia and Bura Gauranga rivers.
Tourists visiting Tarua point to its mangrove forest, open sea frontage and relatively untouched landscape as the main attractions, with many returning to experience sunrise and sunset over the estuary.
Local tourism-related stakeholders said the island, which began forming in the 1980s, has developed dense green vegetation, sandy beaches dotted with red crabs and clear tidal waters, creating a rare coastal ecosystem in the southern region.
Visitors from different parts of the country said the long journey becomes secondary once they reach the island, citing the calm environment, wildlife sightings and uninterrupted views of the sea.
The mangrove belt around Tarua is home to deer, wild buffalo, cattle and monkeys, while birds such as doves, parrots, drongos and mynas are commonly seen, particularly during the winter when migratory birds arrive, locals said.
Tourism operators believe the beach has the potential to become a major economic driver for the area if basic infrastructure and facilities are developed.
They said government and private sector initiatives to introduce accommodation, water-based recreation and environmentally friendly resorts could help transform Tarua into a competitive coastal destination comparable to Cox’s Bazar or Kuakata.
However, they stressed that such development would require structured planning, environmental safeguards and sustained government support.
Communication with the island currently involves a combination of road and river travel from Bhola town, covering about 135 kilometres, including around 35 kilometres by waterway.
While road connectivity has improved, visitors said the journey could be made easier with the introduction of sea trucks or improved river transport services.
Charfesson Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Lokman Hossain said he had already visited Tarua beach and would look into development measures to support its tourism potential.
Local authorities said further assessments would be needed to balance tourism growth with conservation, as interest in the island continues to rise.
