Three Tourist Ships to Resume Saint Martin's Island Trips on Thursday

Tourist ship operations to Saint Martin's Island will finally resume on Thursday (November 5), with three approved vessels scheduled to depart from Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox's Bazar from the morning. The ships are MV Baro Aulia, MV Karnaphuli and MV Teknaf. They will operate trips to the island in phases, following approval from the relevant government authorities.

The information was confirmed on Wednesday (November 4) by Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB). He said preparations had been completed and the ships would begin operating from Thursday morning, regardless of the number of tourists.

Under a government decision, Saint Martin's Island was opened to tourists on November 1. However, various complications had prevented ship services from resuming until now. Operations will begin on Thursday following the necessary approvals from different government agencies and with the consent of the Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner's Office.

The three vessels have received approval from the Department of Shipping and the Department of Environment, with a combined passenger capacity of 2,298. MV Baro Aulia can carry 850 passengers, MV Karnaphuli 732 and MV Teknaf 716.

Tourist ship schedules

According to the operators, the three vessels will follow separate departure and return schedules.

• MV Baro Aulia: Will depart from Cox's Bazar at 7 am and return from Saint Martin's Island at 2:30 pm.

• MV Karnaphuli: Will depart at 7:15 am and return at 2:15 pm.

• MV Teknaf: Will leave Cox's Bazar at 8:15 am and return at 3:30 pm.

Rules for visiting Saint Martin's Island

Under the government's revised guidelines, tourists will be allowed to visit Saint Martin's Island and stay overnight during the four-and-a-half-month period from November 1 to March 15. Each tourist must pay an environmental conservation fee of Tk 100 to visit the island. Visitors must also have a travel pass and a ticket containing a QR code, as required previously.

The daily number of tourists allowed to visit the island has been capped at 3,500. Restrictions introduced through a government notification last year to protect the island's environment and biodiversity will also remain in force. Under these rules, lighting up beaches and surrounding areas at night, creating excessive noise and organising barbecue parties are prohibited.

Entering the coastal forest, collecting or trading in kea fruits are also prohibited. Visitors are barred from harming the island's biodiversity, including sea turtles, birds, corals, snails, oysters, starfish, horseshoe crabs, seagrass and algae.

Motorcycles and other vehicles, including sea bikes, are also prohibited from operating on the beach. Tourists visiting the island must comply with all these restrictions.