Saint Martin Island Reopens, But Ship Service Suspended

Bangladesh’s sole coral island, Saint Martin, officially reopened to tourists today after being closed since February 1st for environmental protection. However, the reopening was immediately overshadowed by the suspension of all tourist ship services.

The Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh confirmed the suspension, stating that ships will not operate at a loss because tourists have shown no interest in day-long trips without the option for an overnight stay. The association's general secretary, Hossain Islam Bahadur, called round trips "impossible" given the seven to ten hours of travel time each way. Operators stated they would only resume services if the ban on overnight stays is lifted in November.

New Regulations and Visitor Restrictions: The government’s new guidelines permit a maximum of 2,000 tourists per day in November, but overnight stays are strictly prohibited. The ban is scheduled to be lifted in December and January. All visitors must adhere to 12 strict travel rules covering environmental conduct, waste disposal, and movement restrictions, which authorities are committed to enforcing to protect the island’s delicate coral ecosystem.

Authorities emphasized that while ship operators are free to decide whether to run services, all new rules will be strictly enforced. Ships must now depart exclusively from Cox's Bazar. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism also introduced a mandatory registration app for visitors.

Tourist Disappointment: Many potential tourists expressed deep disappointment, canceling their trips due to the restrictive schedule. Visitors felt that traveling up to 10 hours for a same-day return trip was too exhausting, highlighting the challenging logistics that led operators to suspend service.