St Martin’s reopens, but no ships sail as overnight stays banned

Ships that ply between Coxs Bazar and Saint Martins are on anchorage on Saturday. UNB_11zon

Saint Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral island, reopened to tourists on Saturday (November 1) following a government decision.

However, ship owners have said they have no plans to operate tourist vessels until December, as visitors are not permitted to stay overnight this month.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, General Secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said it takes at least seven to eight hours to reach Saint Martin’s if a ship departs from Nuniarchhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar city.

“As a result, tourists won’t be able to see anything. Travelling to and from the island within a single day is not only difficult but also unprofitable for business. That is why many tourists are reluctant to visit Saint Martin’s,” he said.

“So we are not operating ships until overnight stays are permitted for tourists,” added the SCOAB secretary.

After a nine-month closure, the government allowed tourist ships to resume sailing to Saint Martin’s Island from November 1.

According to Cox’s Bazar District Administration sources, there are no government restrictions on operating tourist ships from November 1. However, vessels must make round trips in a single day, as overnight stays are still prohibited.

As a result, most tourists are showing little interest in visiting the island, given the long journey and lack of accommodation options. Ship owners have also expressed reluctance to operate under these conditions, calling the day-trip-only rule “unrealistic.”

Cox’s Bazar Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Md Shahidul Alam said ship operations were a business decision for the owners.

“The district administration will strictly enforce the 12 government directives issued to protect the biodiversity of Saint Martin’s Island,” he said.

Previously, tourist ships operated from Teknaf, but due to safety concerns, vessels will now depart from Cox’s Bazar city, crossing the Bay of Bengal to reach the island. - UNB