Saint Martin's Island, Cox's Bazar
Photo: Crysis Rubel, cropped by JamesA · CC BY 2.0

Cox's Bazar District · Chattogram Division · সেন্টমার্টিন দ্বীপ

Saint Martin's Island travel guide

The country's only coral island; blue water, coconut palms and Chhera Dwip. Visitor seasons and numbers are limited by government rules — check them before you go.

🗓️ Best time to visitNovember–January (government-approved season)
⏱ How long it takes1–2 days (as the rules allow)
💰 Estimated costShip return ৳2,000–5,000; online registration may be needed

At a glance

Area
About 8 sq km
Location
About 9 km south of Teknaf
Local name
Narikel Jinjira
Special feature
The country's only coral island; an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA)

History and details

Arab traders are said to have stopped at this island about 250 years ago, calling it 'Jazira'; because of its many coconut palms it later became Narikel (coconut) Jinjira. In British times it was named Saint Martin after Martin, then the district collector of Chattogram.

Around the island are coral, seaweed, colourful fish and sea-turtle nesting beaches. To the south is Chhera Dwip, a small islet cut off at high tide. Humayun Ahmed's house 'Samudra Bilash' is here.

Because too much tourism and building damaged the coral and wildlife, the government declared the island an Ecologically Critical Area and restricted visitor numbers, months and overnight stays. So it's essential to check the latest government guidance before you go.

Things to do

  • Go to Chhera Dwip at low tide
  • See coral and fish in the clear water (without touching)
  • Cycle around the island
  • Watch the stars at night (if overnight stays are allowed)

How to get to Saint Martin's Island

By ship from Cox's Bazar/Teknaf in season (usually November–January).

Cox's Bazar is about 400 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 8–10 hours (bus) / 1 hour (air).

  • 🚌 By bus: Green Line, Hanif, Shyamoli, Saudia from Sayedabad/Arambagh/Kalabagan; non-AC ৳1,000–1,200, AC ৳2,000–3,000.
  • 🚆 By train: Cox's Bazar Express and Parjatak Express from Kamalapur; fare about ৳700–2,000 (book tickets ahead).
  • ✈️ By air: Biman, US-Bangla, Novoair, Air Astra; one way ৳5,000–9,000, 1 hour.

Where to stay

  • Resorts and cottages on the island — overnight stays may be limited by government rules

What to eat

Fried pomfret, lobster, prawns, coral fish, dried fish

Good to know

  • Check the latest Tourism Ministry/district administration guidance before you go
  • Don't take plastic; don't touch coral or turtle eggs
  • At low tide you can walk or cycle to Chhera Dwip

More to see nearby

  • Chhera Dwip (south of the island)
  • Teknaf and Shahporir Dwip (ship jetty)
  • Mathin's Well, Teknaf

More places to visit in Cox's Bazar district

  • Cox's Bazar Sea Beach — Sunsets, swimming and beach bikes at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli points; the world's longest beach.
  • Marine Drive — A road of about 80 km from Cox's Bazar to Teknaf, with hills on one side and the sea on the other.
  • Himchari — Sea views from a hilltop and small waterfalls in the monsoon.
  • Inani Beach — A clean, quiet beach covered in coral stones; more stones show at low tide.
  • Ramu Buddhist Monasteries — Century-old Buddhist monasteries and a huge reclining Buddha (Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Centre).
  • Moheshkhali Island — A hilly island; the Adinath Temple on its hilltop, and betel-leaf and salt farming.
  • Sonadia Island — A deserted island; mangroves, red crabs and migratory birds.

Location on the map