Cox's Bazar with kids: a calm, safe family beach holiday

Children and Cox's Bazar are a natural match. Miles of soft sand, waves to jump, shells to collect and fresh fish for dinner. But a trip with little ones needs a different plan from a weekend with friends. The beach is the same; the pace, the hotel and the safety rules are what change. Here is how to make it easy for everyone, including you.

Choosing a family hotel

With children, the hotel is where you spend much of the trip, so it is worth choosing carefully. Look for:

• Family rooms or connecting rooms, so nobody is squeezed onto an extra mattress.
• A swimming pool, which gives children water time in the middle of the day when the beach is too hot.
• A short, safe walk to the beach, ideally without crossing a busy road.
• A lift and ground-floor dining, if you are bringing a pram or grandparents.
• A restaurant with simple food, because tired children at dinner are not adventurous eaters.

The stretch around Kolatoli and towards Marine Drive tends to be calmer than the busiest points at Laboni and Sugandha, which can be crowded and noisy in peak season.

Swimming safely

This is the most important part of the trip. The Bay of Bengal can look gentle and still have strong currents that pull swimmers away from the shore. Most accidents happen to people who swim away from the main points or go in when they should not.

1. Swim only near the lifeguards at the main beach points, and only when they are on duty.
2. Watch the flags. Lifeguards use flags to show where and when it is safe. If you are not sure what a flag means, ask them.
3. Know the tide. Ask your hotel about tide times. Conditions can change as the tide comes in or goes out.
4. Stay within arm's reach of young children in the water, every time. Waves can knock them over in shallow water.
5. Use life jackets for children who cannot swim, and do not let anyone go in after dark.

One adult should always be the 'water watcher', with no phone in hand. Take turns, and agree who is on duty before anyone goes in.

Days out children enjoy

Plan one outing a day and keep the rest for the beach and rest.

• Himchari is a short drive along Marine Drive, with green hills meeting the sea and a hilltop viewpoint. The steps are steep, so carry little ones or go at their pace.
• Radiant Fish World in town is an aquarium of sea and freshwater fish. It is a good choice for a hot afternoon or a rainy day.
• Inani beach, further along Marine Drive, has rocks and rock pools that older children love exploring at low tide. Wear shoes with grip, as the rocks can be slippery.
• The safari park at Dulahazra, near Chakaria, sits on the road between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. If you are travelling by road, stopping here on the way in or out breaks up the journey and gives children something to look forward to.

Pacing your days

The best family trips here follow the sun. Go to the beach early in the morning and again in the late afternoon, when the light is softer and the sand is cooler. Spend the hottest hours indoors, at the pool or napping. Sunset on the beach is a lovely daily ritual, and then an early dinner.

Allow three or four nights if you can. It gives you a relaxed arrival day, two or three full days, and no rush on the morning you leave.

What to pack for children

• High-factor sunscreen, sun hats and light long-sleeved tops.
• Spare clothes and towels, because they will get wet and sandy.
• A basic medicine kit, including oral rehydration salts and anything your child normally takes.
• Snacks and a refillable water bottle for each child.
• A small bag for rubbish, so nothing is left behind on the sand.

Softway Travels can plan and book your family trip, with flights or road transport, a child-friendly hotel and outings at a gentle pace. Take a look at our Cox's Bazar family package or the classic Cox's Bazar package, and tell us how old your children are.