Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's Ships 2026-27: Which Ships, Fares, Times and Where to Buy Tickets
Which ships may run from Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's this season, fares from a regular chair to a cabin, when they leave in the morning and return in the afternoon, where to get tickets and the travel pass, how to reach Nuniachhara jetty, and where sailings stood on 1 November 2026.
- Jetty
- Nuniachhara (BIWTA), Cox's Bazar town
- Fare (return)
- Regular seat about Tk 3,600–4,200
- Cabins
- About Tk 12,000–20,000
- Times
- Leaves in the morning, returns in the afternoon
- Updated
- 1 November 2026
Trip ticket
The only legal way to Saint Martin's now is by ship from Cox's Bazar town. Travel by water from Teknaf or Shah Porir Dwip is closed, so everyone must board an approved ship at Nuniachhara jetty in Cox's Bazar. Which ships run, how much they cost and when they leave are the three questions that matter most right now.
Here is everything in one place: the likely ships, fares by class, departure and return times, where to buy tickets, how to reach the jetty, and whether a day trip or an overnight stay makes more sense.
At a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Where ships leave from | Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty, Bakkhali River, Cox's Bazar town |
| Distance | About 95–120 km by sea |
| Journey time | Usually about 5–6 hours, depending on weather and tide |
| Departure | Morning (7 am last season) |
| Return | Afternoon (3 pm from the island last season) |
| Regular seat, return | About Tk 3,600–4,200 |
| Cabin, return | About Tk 12,000–20,000 |
| Extra | Tk 100 environmental fee per person |
| Tickets | Ship company website, hotline, counter or approved agent; the QR-code travel pass is on the ticket |
Which ships may run this season
Last season (2025-26), six ships were approved on the Cox's Bazar–Saint Martin's route. According to the ship owners' association SCOAB, they were:
- MV Karnafuly Express
- MV Baro Awlia
- MV Bay One (Bay Cruise)
- MV Kajol
- Keari Sindbad
- Keari Cruise & Dine
This year Prothom Alo reports that about 10 ships may run on the route, including Karnafuly Express, Bay One, Baro Awlia and Keari Sindbad. Which ones are finally approved depends on environment ministry clearance, the Department of Shipping, a BIWTA route permit, district administration permission, and fitness and safety inspections. After a fire on a ship last season, safety checks are getting extra attention this year.
Before buying, make sure the ship is on this season's approved list. A ticket on an unapproved ship carries no valid travel pass.
How much it costs
Fares have gone up this year. According to news reports, the top regular return fare rose by Tk 700, from Tk 3,500 last year to Tk 4,200. Depending on the seat, return fares range from about Tk 3,600 to Tk 20,000. A rough guide by class:
| Seat type | One way (approx.) | Return (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular chair / main deck / open deck | Tk 1,800–2,300 | Tk 3,600–4,200 |
| Business chair (AC) | Tk 2,300–2,600 | Tk 4,500–5,000 |
| Lounge / sofa | Tk 2,800–3,000 | Tk 5,000–5,800 |
| Single cabin | From about Tk 3,600 | About Tk 7,000–8,000 |
| Twin / deluxe cabin (whole cabin) | From Tk 7,000 | About Tk 12,000–13,000 |
| VIP / royal cabin (whole cabin) | Tk 8,000–10,000 | About Tk 15,000–20,000 |
A few important points:
- A Tk 100 environmental conservation fee per person is added to the fare.
- Cabin prices are usually for the whole cabin, not per person.
- Some ships sell return tickets only; others sell one-way too.
- The fare is usually the same for a day trip and an overnight stay; give your return date when you book.
- These figures are estimates from the ship companies' published lists and news reports. Final fares may change slightly after approval.
When ships leave and return
Last season, ships left Nuniachhara jetty at 7 am and started back from Saint Martin's at 3 pm. Because of the tide, departure can shift anywhere between 6 and 10 am, so the time printed on your ticket is what counts. One way usually takes 5 to 6 hours.
That means on a day trip you get only 2–3 hours on the island. By the time you land, eat and walk the west beach, it is time to go back, and access to Chhera Dwip is restricted anyway. So if you can, stay at least one night. This year's revised notice allows overnight stays from November, and more than 230 hotels, resorts and cottages on the island are ready.
Where to buy tickets
- Karnafuly Cruiseline (Karnafuly Express, Bay One, Baro Awlia): website karnafulycruiseline.com, phone 09610849970. Their online tickets run through BDTickets, hotline 16460.
- Keari (Keari Sindbad, Keari Cruise & Dine): website kearitourismbd.com, offices in Dhanmondi, Dhaka and Kolatoli, Cox's Bazar.
- Approved travel agents: check that they are authorised by the ship company.
- The Tourism Board site travelpass.gov.bd: shows ship schedules and seats for the next 7 days.
Wherever you buy, the ticket must have a QR code; that is your travel pass. How to get it and which documents you need, step by step: Saint Martin's travel pass 2026-27.
On 1 November 2026, searching Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's on BDTickets returned "this route is temporarily closed", and travelpass.gov.bd showed no ship schedules for 1–7 November. These will open once permission is granted.
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How to reach Nuniachhara jetty
Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty is on the north side of Cox's Bazar town, on the bank of the Bakkhali River. From the hotel area at Kolatoli or Sugandha Point, a CNG or e-bike usually takes 20–30 minutes in the morning. Get to the jetty at least 45 minutes to an hour before departure, because the QR check-in, ID check and queues take time. Book your ride the night before.
Coming from Dhaka? Catching the morning ship straight off a night bus or train is hard. Arrive in Cox's Bazar a day early and stay a night. Train times and fares are on our train schedule page, and things to do in Cox's Bazar are in the 3-day Cox's Bazar trip plan.
On board
- The sea is sunny and windy. On the open deck, bring a hat, sunglasses and a light wrap.
- If you get seasick, skip a heavy meal before the trip and take medicine in advance if you need it.
- Food is sold on board, but it is pricey. Bring water in your own flask, since single-use plastic bottles are not allowed on the island.
- Check where the life jackets are, and keep an eye on children.
- In bad weather, ships can be cancelled or delayed by warning signals; keep the mobile number on your ticket switched on.
Which seat to choose
- On a budget: a regular chair or the open deck. The open deck is the most beautiful way to see the morning sea.
- For comfort, especially with older people or children: an AC business chair or a lounge.
- Families or groups: a whole cabin often works out close to a lounge seat per person, and gives you a place to rest.
What to see on the island, where to stay and the total cost are in our Saint Martin's travel guide. All of this season's rules are in Saint Martin's new travel rules 2026-27.
Questions and answers
How much is the ship fare from Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's in 2026?
A regular seat costs about Tk 3,600–4,200 return; news reports say the top regular fare rose Tk 700 from last year to Tk 4,200. AC chairs and lounges are about Tk 4,500–5,800, and a whole cabin about Tk 12,000–20,000. Add a Tk 100 environmental fee per person.
What time do Saint Martin's ships leave?
In the morning from Nuniachhara jetty; last season departure was 7 am, and the return ship left the island at 3 pm. Times can shift with the tide, so the time on your ticket is final.
How long does it take from Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's?
Usually 5 to 6 hours by ship, depending on weather and tide.
Which ships go to Saint Martin's?
Last season's approved ships were Karnafuly Express, Baro Awlia, Bay One, MV Kajol, Keari Sindbad and Keari Cruise & Dine. About 10 ships may run this year; the final list will be known after approval.
Do ships to Saint Martin's leave from Teknaf?
No. This season too, ships leave only from Nuniachhara jetty in Cox's Bazar town; travel by water from Teknaf, Shah Porir Dwip or Ukhiya is not allowed.
Can I go and come back the same day?
Yes, but you will only get 2–3 hours on the island. Overnight stays are allowed from November this year, so stay at least one night if you can.
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