Saint Martin's Is Open, but No Ships Are Running: Why, When They May Start, and What to Do Now
After about ten months, Saint Martin's Island reopened to tourists on 1 November 2026, but not a single ship has left Cox's Bazar. Which approvals are still pending, when ships may start, whether you can stay overnight, and what to do if you want to go: all in one place.
- Island open
- 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027
- Ships
- No permission as of 1 November
- Likely start
- 4–7 November; some say 15 November
- Jetty
- Nuniachhara only, Cox's Bazar town
- Updated
- 1 November 2026
Trip ticket
After being closed for about ten months, Saint Martin's, the country's only coral island, reopened to tourists on 1 November 2026. On paper the season has begun, and the island's hotels and resorts are ready. There is just one problem: not a single ship from Cox's Bazar has permission to sail. So on the first day of the season, no tourist could reach the island.
Many people are looking for tickets, and some have already taken leave and reached Cox's Bazar. So here, in plain words: why the ships are held up, when they may start, what this season's rules are, and what you should do right now.
At a glance
| Topic | Where things stand |
|---|---|
| Island | Open from 1 November 2026 until 15 March 2027 |
| Ships | No ship had permission to sail as of 1 November |
| Likely start | Ship owners hope for 4–6 November; some say it could take until 15 November |
| Where to leave from | Only the Nuniachhara (BIWTA) jetty in Cox's Bazar town |
| Visitors per day | 3,500 on average, at most |
| Fee | Tk 100 environmental conservation fee per person |
| Overnight stays | Allowed all season under the revised notification |
Why the island is open but the ships are not
The problem is not on the island but at the jetty. Every ship on the Saint Martin's route needs several separate approvals before it can sail. As of 1 November, the Cox's Bazar district administration had not given any ship permission. The administration says the ship owners have not submitted all the required documents.
According to the ship owners' body, the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), these approvals are still in process:
- Environment ministry clearance: under the new rules, no vessel may sail to Saint Martin's without the ministry's approval.
- Department of Shipping approval
- BIWTA route permit
- Approval from the Cox's Bazar deputy commissioner
- Fitness and safety inspections: after a fire on a tourist ship last season, these checks are getting extra attention this year.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md A Mannan has said plainly that no ship will be allowed to sail until its fitness and safety are confirmed.
One more piece is unfinished: the Bangladesh Tourism Board's online registration and travel pass software. This season you again need online registration or a travel pass with a QR code to buy a ship ticket, and that system was not fully ready at the start of the season either.
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When might the ships start?
There is no confirmed date yet. Here is what the different sides have said:
- Ship owners: SCOAB general secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur says that once all the formalities are done, ships could start on 4, 5 or 6 November.
- Administration: news reports quoting the deputy commissioner say a divisional meeting in Chattogram on 4 November may decide on ships for the Saint Martin's route. The deputy commissioner is also expected to visit the island to meet local stakeholders.
- Other estimates: some sources say 5 to 7 November, while others say it could take until 15 November.
So if you planned to go in the first week of November, do not treat it as certain for now.
This season's rules
Once the ships start, these are the rules to follow. Full details and a photo of the government notice are in our post Saint Martin's new travel rules 2026-27.
- Season: 1 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, 15 days longer than last season.
- Jetty: only approved ships from the Nuniachhara jetty in Cox's Bazar town. You may not travel by water from Teknaf, Shah Porir Dwip or Ukhiya.
- Visitor numbers: at most 3,500 a day on average, up from 2,000.
- Fee: a Tk 100 environmental conservation fee for every visitor.
- Registration: no ticket without online registration or a QR-code travel pass.
- Not allowed: single-use plastic (bags, plastic bottles), lights on the beach at night, loud music, barbecues and motor vehicles. Access to Chhera Dwip remains restricted.
Can you stay overnight?
This caused confusion for a few days. The first notice, on 25 October, said November would be day trips only, with overnight stays from December. Then a revised notification on 27 October allowed both day visits and overnight stays for the whole season, starting in November. According to Fayezul Islam, acting chairman of the Saint Martin's Union Parishad, more than 230 hotels, resorts, cottages and restaurants on the island are ready for guests.
Advice if you want to go now
- Don't book anything non-refundable before a sailing date is announced. Book island hotels, buses or flights to Cox's Bazar in a way that lets you change the date.
- Don't buy "confirmed tickets" from touts or online pages. No one can sell a confirmed ticket when no ship has permission yet. Get tickets for approved ships and your travel pass through the official registration.
- Don't go to Teknaf or Shah Porir Dwip looking for a trawler. Travel by water from those places is not allowed, and a small boat on the open sea is dangerous.
- If you are already in Cox's Bazar, make good use of the days. Visit Himchari, Inani Beach, the Marine Drive, Maheshkhali or Ramu. Plans are in our 3-day Cox's Bazar trip plan and Cox's Bazar on a low budget.
- To avoid the opening rush, go a little later. The first few days after the ships start will be busy, and with the 3,500-a-day limit, tickets may sell out fast. From late November to February, as winter sets in, the sea is usually calm.
- Watch for announcements. The final word comes from the Cox's Bazar district administration, BIWTA and the Bangladesh Tourism Board.
Ship names, fares and times are in Cox's Bazar to Saint Martin's ships 2026-27, and how to get the travel pass is in Saint Martin's travel pass 2026-27.
What to see on the island, where to stay and what it costs are all in our Saint Martin's travel guide. To see where the island is and what is nearby, open it on the map.
Help keep the island alive
Saint Martin's is a government-declared ecologically critical area. All these rules, the visitor limit and the fee exist to keep this small coral island alive. Don't pick coral or shells, don't bring plastic, and bring back whatever you take with you.
Questions and answers
Is Saint Martin's open now?
Yes. The island has been open to tourists since 1 November 2026 and stays open until 15 March 2027. But as of 1 November no ship had permission to sail, so in practice you cannot get there yet.
When will ships to Saint Martin's start?
No firm date has been announced. Ship owners hope to start between 4 and 6 November, and a divisional meeting in Chattogram on 4 November may decide. Some say it could take until 15 November.
Can I go to Saint Martin's from Teknaf?
No. Under the new rules you can only go on approved ships from the Nuniachhara jetty in Cox's Bazar town. Travel by water from Teknaf, Shah Porir Dwip or Ukhiya is not allowed.
Can I stay overnight on Saint Martin's in November?
Yes. Under the revised notification of 27 October, overnight stays are allowed for the whole season, including November.
How much is the fee to visit Saint Martin's?
On top of the ship fare, every visitor pays a Tk 100 environmental conservation fee. You also need online registration or a QR-code travel pass with your ticket.
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