Saint Martin’s Island reopened to tourists on 1 November, but the ships that normally carry them across the Bay of Bengal are not yet running. Operators expect services from Cox’s Bazar to start around 6 November, once the last approvals are in place.
Why the ships are late
Each tourist vessel needs four sign-offs before it can sail, according to Hossain Islam, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh:
- clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Department of Environment;
- approval from the Department of Shipping;
- a route permit from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA);
- permission from the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner.
The online registration software that the Bangladesh Tourism Board is meant to run for visitors was also not ready at the start of the month.
Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan said vessels would be allowed to operate only after their fitness and safety had been checked. Inspections are being tightened after a fire on a tourist vessel last year.
The rules this season
- Visits and overnight stays allowed from 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, under a ministry notification of 27 October.
- A cap of 3,500 tourists a day.
- Travel only on government-approved ships, with online registration.
- The only permitted departure point is the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara on the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar, about 120km from the island. Departures from Teknaf, Shah Porir Dwip or Ukhiya are not allowed.
Until the ships start, the only way across is by trawler or speedboat, which depends on sea conditions and official permission. Travellers are advised to check the latest instructions before setting out.
Based on reporting by the Dhaka Tribune and its travel desk.
Photo: Saint Martin’s Island seen from an approaching ship (2018). Minhas Kamal / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
