Saint Martin's Island (সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপ): travel guide

Bangladesh's only coral island: coconut palms, clear water, rocky reefs and sea-turtle nesting beaches. Open to tourists from 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, with about 3,500 visitors a day, a Tk 100 environmental fee and ships only from Cox's Bazar.

Saint Martin's Island is in Cox's Bazar district, Chattogram division, Bangladesh. Compare bus, train and air fares to Saint Martin's Island and see the route on a map.

Things to do in Saint Martin's Island

  • Samudra Bilash (Humayun Ahmed's cottage) (সমুদ্র বিলাস): Seaside cottage-resort built in 1993 by novelist Humayun Ahmed, who often stayed and wrote here; it is credited with popularising the island and is now run by his family. Landmark, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking.
  • Coral reef snorkelling sites: Saint Martin's is Bangladesh's only coral island; coral-rich areas lie on the north-east and southern sides, including around Chhera Dwip. A local dive operator visits a site off Chhera Dwip, but Wikipedia reports heavy coral loss, so do not touch or collect... Nature, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking.
  • Chhera Dwip (ছেঁড়া দ্বীপ): Small island at the southern tip of Saint Martin's, joined to the main island by a narrow strip at low tide, with the southernmost point of Bangladesh. Tourist visits are restricted to protect the environment under the ministry rules that remain in force. Nature, free entry, best time: Tourist access is restricted or banned to protect the environment; check with the local administration before you go
  • Sunset Point: A rocky peninsula in the northwest of the island near Saint Martin's Resort, popular for sunsets. It can only be reached at low tide. Viewpoint, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking. Visible at low tide.
  • West Beach (পশ্চিম সৈকত): The island's western shore, lined with rocks, coconut palms and resorts at Golachipa and Konapara; it faces the sunset. Beach, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking.
  • Rock Beach (southern point): The southern end of the island, made of ancient coral rock, with lizards and migratory birds. A 10-15 minute trail leads there and Wikivoyage says permission from local landowners is needed. Beach, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking.
  • Saint Martin's Island Lighthouse (সেন্ট মার্টিন দ্বীপ বাতিঘর): A 35 m metal skeletal lighthouse tower in the north of the island, operated by the Bangladesh Department of Shipping. Landmark, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking.
  • Coconut groves (Narikel Jinjira): Shaded paths among the island's coconut palms. The island's Bangla name, Narikel Jinjira, means coconut island. Nature, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December, so confirm before booking.
  • East Beach (sunrise): The island's east shore, recommended for watching the sunrise; resorts line the east and south beaches. Beach, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December, so confirm before booking.
  • Sea turtle nesting beaches (west coast): Several endangered sea turtle species nest on the island's beaches. A turtle hatchery run by a conservation project stands on the west side; it is not open to visitors, but protected nests can be seen in season. Wildlife, free entry, best time: 1 November to 15 March (2026-27 season). November is day trips only; overnight stays are reported from December (Prothom Alo says December and January only; February to mid-March is unclear), so confirm before booking. No beach lights, noise or barbecues at night.

Where to stay in Saint Martin's Island

  • Blue Rain Resort (MidRange), about ৳5,400 - ৳6,600/night. Small 3-room resort a short walk from the bazaar
  • Shahjalal Resort (Budget), about Check with hotel for current rates. 10 sea-view rooms, short walk to the bazaar and jetty
  • Coral Haze Beach Resort (Resort), about From about ৳10,500/night. Sea-view villas with an outdoor pool
  • Kingshuk Beach Resort (MidRange), about ৳4,400 - ৳5,400/night. 10 sea-view rooms on West Beach, free breakfast
  • Dreamers Paradise (Resort), about ৳10,000 - ৳15,000/night. Oceanfront 3-star hotel, 6-minute walk from the bazaar
  • Sand Castle Beach Resort (Resort), about ৳8,000 - ৳9,500/night. 20-room beach resort with free buffet breakfast
  • Shimana Periye Resort (EcoCottage), about Check with hotel for current rates. Brick, wooden and bamboo cottages on the west beach
  • Shurjo Snan Twin Beach Resort (Resort), about ৳9,500 - ৳14,500/night. Sea-view cottages and villas, breakfast included

Travel advice for Saint Martin's Island

  • Ships sail from Cox's Bazar only: Approved tourist ships carry visitors only from the Nuniachhara BIWTA ghat in Cox's Bazar town (about 20-25 min by auto-rickshaw from the centre). The Teknaf route is suspended this season, and no vessel may sail to the island without ministry approval. Boats and speedboats are not allowed.
  • Banned on the island: Rules carried over from the October 2025 directive: no single-use plastic, no lights on the beach at night, no loud noise or barbecue parties, no motorcycles or other motor vehicles on the beach, no entering the keya forest or collecting or selling keya fruit, and no harming sea turtles, birds or...
  • Season 2026-27: dates, daily cap and fee: Tourists may visit from 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, with an average cap of 3,500 visitors a day (up from 2,000) and a Tk 100 environmental conservation fee for each visitor. The island is closed to tourists outside these dates.
  • Overnight stays: check by month: Reports differ. Prothom Alo says visitors must return the same day in November and may stay overnight only in December and January. Bangladesh Post says overnight stays are not allowed in November but allowed from December, and DesheBideshe says the overnight ban was lifted.
  • Ship ticket and QR travel pass: You need a ship ticket to go: it carries the QR-code travel pass, which is scanned at boarding, so keep a printed copy. There are no standing tickets, and children up to 5 travel free. The government travel pass portal is travelpass.gov.bd;
  • Ship timing and fares: The one-way voyage takes about 5 to 5.5 hours; return trips leave the island between 3 and 6 PM. Round-trip fares ranged from BDT 3,500 to 20,000 depending on seat type; children aged 5 and under need no ticket.

More places to explore in Bangladesh

JatraSathi is a free Bangladesh trip planner in English and Bangla. Prices are estimates; check before you travel.