Travel to Bangladesh’s only coral island the Saint Martin officially resumed on Thursday as the sea route reopened following a four-day delay caused by administrative, vessel fitness and environmental clearance issues.
A total of 836 tourists arrived on the island aboard the vessel MV Baro Aulia, which departed from the Nuniarchhara jetty in Cox’s Bazar at 7:50 AM. Under a newly implemented regulatory framework designed to balance tourism with ecological conservation, every traveler was required to carry an official travel pass featuring a unique QR code and pay an environmental fee of Tk 100.
The resumption of vessel operations brought immediate relief to thousands of island residents whose livelihoods depend entirely on tourism. While administrative clearance was scheduled for November 1, final approval was delayed as government bodies including the Department of Shipping, the Department of Environment and the Cox's Bazar District Administration reviewed maritime safety and environmental compliance.
Under the government's revised directives:
Operating Season & Cap: Overnight tourist stays are permitted between November 1 and March 15 with a strict daily limit of 3,500 visitors.
Vessel Authorizations: Three ships MV Baro Aulia (capacity 850), MV Karnaphuli (732) and MV Teknaf (716) have been authorized to operate with strict instructions to restrict ticket sales to approved seating limits.
Environmental Protocols: Single-use plastic carrying, entry into protected kea (pandanus) forests, visits to fragile Chera Dwip, loud music, nighttime beach illumination and beachside barbecues are strictly prohibited to safeguard coral reefs the marine life and sea turtle nesting grounds.
Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, Md. A. Mannan, confirmed that a special monitoring team from the district administration has been deployed to enforce environmental laws and ensure passenger safety without harassing visitors.
Local business owners and tourism stakeholders welcomed the decision, noting that while economic recovery is vital for local hotels, restaurants and transport workers, long-term environmental management must remain the priority to protect Saint Martin’s fragile ecosystem.
