Trips to Saint Martin's finally resume under strict rules
Three vessels start carrying tourists to the island today, with visitors required to follow 12 govt rules
The dos and don'ts for this season's Saint Martin trips
- No lights on the beach at night
- No loud noise or music
- No barbecue parties
- Do not enter Keya forests
- Do not collect or sell Keya fruit
- Do not harm turtles or corals
- Do not disturb island wildlife
- No motorbikes or sea bikes on the beach
- No polythene bags
- Avoid single-use plastic items
After months of discussions, tourist vessels are finally set to resume trips to Saint Martin's Island. Three ships will begin operating from today, while four more are ready to join once they receive administrative clearance, according to officials.
The vessels will operate from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) jetty at Nunia Chara in Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's until 31 January, covering the two-month tourist season.
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Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, said the MV Karnafuly Express, MV Baro Awlia, and Keari Sindbad will leave at 7am tomorrow (1 December).
"Passengers who have already bought tickets are being assisted by the operators in securing travel permits," he said.
"The three vessels will continue selling tickets until morning, which is why the final passenger count is yet to be confirmed," he added.
Bahadur said no more than 2,000 tickets will be sold, as operators will follow the government's directives.
"Ships will operate from the BIWTA jetty at Nunia Chara in Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's throughout December and January," he said.
The four other vessels ready at the jetty are MV Bay Cruise, MV Kajal, Keari Cruise & Dine and The Atlantic Cruise.
Route clearance issued
Cox's Bazar Additional District Magistrate Md Shahidul Alam said four vessels – MV Karnafuly Express, MV Baro Awlia, Keari Sindbad, and Keari Cruise & Dine – have received permission from the district administration to operate on the Cox's Bazar–Saint Martin route.
"The administration will strictly enforce the 12 directives issued by the government to protect the island's biodiversity," he said.
"Earlier, tourist vessels used to operate from Teknaf, but due to security concerns, ships will now travel from Nunia Chara in Cox's Bazar across the Bay of Bengal to reach Saint Martin's. The district and upazila administrations have completed all necessary preparations," he added.
Strict monitoring
Md Zamir Uddin, director of the Department of Environment in Cox's Bazar, said vessels travelling to and from Saint Martin's will remain under strict monitoring.
"No more than 2,000 tourists will be allowed each day," he said.
"Separate screening arrangements have been put in place at the BIWTA jetty in Nunia Chara and at the Saint Martin's jetty to enforce these restrictions," he added.
Govt issues directives
To protect Saint Martin's natural environment and biodiversity, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a gazette on 22 October outlining 12 directives for travel to the island.
According to the government's decision, tourist travel to the eight-square-kilometre coral island had remained suspended since 1 February. Visitors will be allowed to travel from November to January, with a maximum of 2,000 tourists permitted per day. Travellers must comply with all 12 directives, the notice said.
As per the gazette, tourists may visit the island only during the daytime in November and will not be allowed to stay overnight. Overnight stays will be permitted in December and January.
The directives also state that no vessel may operate to Saint Martin's without approval from BIWTA and the ministry. Tourists must purchase tickets online through the Bangladesh Tourism Board's designated portal, where each ticket will include a travel pass and QR code. Tickets without a QR code will be considered invalid.
According to the guidelines, tourists will be able to visit the island until January. From 1 February next year, travel will again be suspended for nine months. Visiting hours and the number of tourists allowed on the island will be strictly regulated this season.
No more than 2,000 visitors will be permitted per day, and all travel will remain closed throughout February.
Restrictions on tourists
Tourists have been prohibited from using lights on the beach at night, creating loud noise, or organising barbecue parties. Entering Keya forests, collecting or buying and selling Keya fruit, and harming marine turtles, birds, corals, horseshoe crabs, shells, or any other biodiversity have also been strictly banned. The use of motorcycles, sea bikes, or any motorised vehicle on the beach will remain completely prohibited.
Carrying polythene during travel is not allowed, while single-use plastics – such as chips packets, plastic spoons, straws, mini soap and shampoo sachets, and 500ml or 1,000ml plastic bottles – have been discouraged. Tourists have been advised to bring their own reusable water flasks.
