St Martin’s still awaits tourists due to delay in vessel operations

After months of uncertainty, confusion and speculation, Bangladesh’s only coral island, Saint Martin’s, is preparing to welcome tourists again, raising hopes of reviving its tourism-dependent economy after a prolonged shutdown. 

Under a revised government directive, tourists will be allowed to visit the island and stay overnight throughout the four-and-a-half-month tourism season, from November 1 to March 15. The decision has brought considerable relief to island residents, hotel and resort owners, restaurant operators and tourism-related businesses, many of whom have struggled to survive during the extended restrictions.

However, despite the government's approval for tourist visits, the season has not started as scheduled. A shortage of necessary clearances from government agencies has kept passenger vessels from operating on the route, leaving eager tourists waiting for the journey to begin.

Three vessels-MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Baro Aulia and MV Teknaf-are reportedly ready to operate. Their owners expect services to begin within the first week of November, potentially ending nearly eight months of waiting for travel enthusiasts.

The daily tourist limit has also been increased to 3,500, compared with 2,000 under the previous restrictions. Each visitor will, however, have to pay Tk100 as an environmental conservation fee.

Tourists will also need a travel pass to visit the island. Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui said preparations were underway to introduce the travel pass system, similar to the arrangement used during the previous tourism season. Tickets will carry QR codes to facilitate visitor management and monitoring.

According to the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), three vessels have received environmental clearance to operate on the Saint Martin route. Together, they have a passenger capacity of around 2,300.

SCOAB General Secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur said the vessels had received clearance from the Department of Environment but were still awaiting the necessary voice licence from the Department of Shipping, route permits and schedules from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), and local approval from the Cox's Bazar district administration.

He expressed hope that the remaining formalities would be completed within a few days, allowing the vessels to begin carrying tourists on November 5 or 6. Tourism operators said many prospective visitors were already trying to book tickets, but the Tourism Board's online booking software had not yet been opened. Cox's Bazar district administration's tourism cell official Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman Sayem said no vessel had yet received final permission because the operators had not submitted all the required documents.

The reopening has generated optimism among the island's residents, whose livelihoods have become increasingly dependent on tourism over the past two decades.

Now, residents are preparing to welcome visitors again. Hotels and resorts are being renovated, restaurants are making arrangements to resume operations, and businesses are preparing supplies for the new season.

Acting Chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad Fayzul Islam said people from different professions were busy preparing their businesses ahead of the reopening.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury said Saint Martin remained an attractive destination for tourists and that the administration was working to ensure their safety. While overnight stays have been permitted throughout the season, several restrictions introduced to protect the island's fragile ecosystem will remain in force.

Tourists and operators will not be allowed to illuminate beaches and adjacent areas at night, create excessive noise or organise barbecue parties.

Entry into the natural keya forests and the collection, purchase or sale of keya fruit will remain prohibited. Activities that could damage marine turtles, birds, coral, shells, snails, starfish, horseshoe crabs, seagrass, algae and other elements of the island's biodiversity are also prohibited.

Motorcycles, sea bikes and similar vehicles will not be allowed on the beaches. Alongside environmental protection, tourist safety has emerged as another major challenge ahead of the reopening. The recent fire at Tup Tup Resto and Resort in Patuartek, Inani, under Ukhiya upazila, which killed 11 tourists, has renewed concerns about fire safety in hotels, resorts and restaurants across Cox's Bazar, including Saint Martin. Local authorities have started discussing fire prevention measures with hotel and resort owners.

Teknaf Fire Service Station Commander Kamruzzaman Sumon said he had recently joined the station and planned to visit Saint Martin to assess its fire safety requirements. He said the possibility of deploying trained personnel and establishing appropriate fire safety arrangements on the island would be examined.

Acting Union Parishad Chairman Fayzul Islam said the administration had already discussed the issue with the Fire Service and instructed hotel and resort owners to install fire extinguishers.

UNO Anik Chowdhury said hotel and resort owners had been asked to ensure adequate firefighting arrangements, warning that action would be taken against establishments failing to comply.

Tourism Board CEO Mutasim Billah Faruqui said the government was taking various initiatives under the national tourism policy to ensure visitor safety and make travel to Saint Martin more organised.

Located approximately nine kilometres south of Teknaf in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, Saint Martin is Bangladesh's only coral island. Covering an area of around three square kilometres, it is surrounded by clear blue waters, sandy beaches and a diverse marine ecosystem.

The island is popularly known as Narikel Jinjira because of its extensive coconut tree plantations. Its natural attractions include colourful coral formations, seashells, crabs, tropical fish and other marine life.

Chhera Dwip, a small coral-based extension south of the main island, is another major attraction. Depending on tidal conditions, the adjoining land becomes accessible to visitors, offering opportunities to experience its clear waters, coral formations and spectacular sunsets. 

Visitors can explore the island on foot or by bicycle, enjoy freshly caught seafood and locally grown coconuts, and experience its relatively quiet coastal surroundings. Several hotels, resorts, cottages and restaurants provide accommodation and dining facilities, although the standard of services and infrastructure varies. For island residents, the return of tourists represents more than the reopening of a popular destination. It offers a chance to restore livelihoods that have been disrupted by months of restrictions.

For visitors, Saint Martin promises the familiar attractions of blue waters, coral beaches, coconut groves and fresh seafood. But ensuring that the island remains safe, clean and ecologically sustainable will be the real test of the new tourism season.