Saint Martin’s Island harbors some of the most beautiful beaches in Bangladesh. It is one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh and has become a very popular beach destination among local tourists in recent years.
The island is located in the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula. It is the southernmost landmark of Bangladesh. Tourist ships operate to Saint Martin’s Island from Teknaf during winter when the sea is calmer.
A new tourist ship started its operation from Cox’s Bazar in 2020, making it more convenient for tourists to visit the island. The boat also started its operation earlier than the ships from Teknaf, which brought some good news for the tourists and the businesses on the island.
This article will answer the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Saint Martin’s Island. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions regarding traveling to Saint Martin’s Island. I will do my best to answer them.
Table of Contents
- Best time to visit Saint Martin’s Island
- Visiting Saint Martin’s Island during the off-season
- Saint Martin’s Island from Cox’s Bazar by Karnafuly Express
- Saint Martin’s Island by trawler and speed boat
- How to go to Saint Martin’s Island
- Best places to stay at Saint Matin’s Island
- Best places to eat at Saint Martin’s Island
- Things to do on Saint Martin’s Island
- Traveling to Chera Dwip
- Prices to expect in Saint Martin’s Island
- Travel plan for Saint Martin’s Island
- Things to know before traveling to Saint Martin’s Island
- Tips for traveling to Saint Martin’s Island
- Frequently asked questions about traveling to Saint Martin’s Island
Best Time to Visit Saint Martin’s Island
November to February is the best time to visit Saint Martin’s Island. Since there is no electricity supply on the island, the heat becomes unbearable outside during the full winter. Also, only during the winter, do the sea trucks between Teknaf and Saint Martin’s Island operate, providing many options for traveling to the island safely.
However, it is now possible to safely visit the island outside the full winter. The new ship Karnafuly Express started to operate between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island throughout the year, except during the monsoon. Although quite risky and not advised, other options are also available to visit Saint Martin’s Island outside the tourism season, traveling by trawler or speed boat.
Visiting Saint Martin’s Island During the Off-Season
There are many pros and cons of visiting Saint Martin’s Island during the off-season outside winter. Since there will be no tourists, the island will be tranquil during this period. You’ll be able to get the whole island on your own. Hospitality from the locals on the island will be more natural. The resorts and food prices will be low, as there will be no demand from tourists.
On the other hand, if the Karnafuly Express is not running for any reason, you need to travel there by a trawler or a speed boat, unsafe and not recommended. Also, very few resorts will remain open. Restaurants will stay closed, but your resort will probably be able to arrange food for you. Discuss this with the resort in advance during booking.
This situation will likely change in the coming days, as Karnafuly Express is supposed to operate throughout the year, except during monsoon and bad weather. Also, a solar plant on the island is under construction, making electricity available on the island. It will probably bring tourism to the island for an extended period in the future, and more people will be able to visit Saint Martin’s Island during the off-season in the coming days.
Saint Martin’s Island from Cox’s Bazar by Karnafuly Express
Karnafuly Express is the latest addition to the tourism of Saint Martin’s Island. It is a sea-going vessel, which started to transport tourists directly between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island and brought tourism to the island for an extended period outside the season. Check out our guide, all things to know about Karnafuly Express, for every detail about traveling to Saint Martin’s Island by Karnafuly Express.
Saint Martin’s Island by trawler and speed boat
If you are planning to go to Saint Martin’s Island during the off-season when the ships are not running from both Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar, taking a trawler or speed boat will be your only option. Check out our guide, Saint Martin’s Island by Trawler and Speed Boat, for every detail about traveling to Saint Martin’s Island by trawlers and speed boats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Saint Martin’s Island
Going to St. Martin island
Q. How to go to St. Martin Island?
A. You can go to St. Martin Island from Dhaka, Chittagong, or Cox’s Bazar. First, you have to come to Teknaf. From Teknaf you can ride a Sea Truck, Ship, or Shallow engine boat to St. Martin Island.
Q. From where to ride the bus in Dhaka?
A. Buses go to Teknaf from Saydabad & Fakirapul bus station. There are many bus services to Teknaf – Eagle, Modern Line, S. Alam, Shyamoli, and St. Martin.
Q. Any contact no?
A.
Eagle Bus Service: +88-01713-145584, +88-01190-124127
St. Martin Service: +880-1732-406352, +88-01711-321143
Q. How much is the fare from Dhaka to Teknaf?
A. A/C bus – 1,100 Tk, Non-A/C bus – 560 Tk.
Q. When does the last bast goes from Dhaka?
A. 10.00 pm. Reaches Teknaf at about 8.00 am.
Q. Where to get down at Teknaf?
A. Teknaf Ship Station. You have to tell the bus staff before to let you down at the Ship station.
Q. How to go to Teknaf from Cox’s Bazar?
A. Micro buses go from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf. You can reserve one or can ride in person basis. Also can take a bus from Cox’s Bazar bus station. Fare is 80 Tk.
Q. How much is the fare of a microbus to Teknaf from Cox’s Bazar?
A. About 1,500 Tk.
Q. How to go to Teknaf from Chittagong?
A. Buses go to Teknaf from Chittagong regularly. Fare is about 220 Tk.
Q. How to go to St. Martin from Teknaf?
A. Ships, Sea trucks, and Shallow engine boats go to St. Martin Island and Teknaf every day. Among them, sea trucks are the safest and the most comfortable.
Q. How much is the fare in sea trucks?
A. 550 Tk. in the economy class with a return ticket.
Q. How long does it take from Teknaf to St. Martin island?
A. About 3 hours.
Q. Which one is the best sea truck?
A. Carie Sindbad. It is the most comfortable and the fastest. You can book ticket advance: +88-02-8125881, +88-02-8156296, +88-02-8156297, +88-01817-210427
Q. What is the timetable for sea trucks?
A. Sea trucks leave Teknaf every morning at 9.00 am and return from St. Martin island on the same day at 3.00 pm.
On the St. Martin island
Q. What transport is available on the island?
A. Only rickshaw van.
Q. How much is the fare for these rickshaw vans?
A. In the pick hour (the time between arriving the ships and leaving) they demand 100 Tk+ for a van. But in the off-pick hour, the fare is normally about 20 Tk. per van.
Q. Where to stay on the island?
A. There are many hotels and motels on the island. Some of them are listed here:
Blue Marine:+88-01819-063418, +88-01722-473613, +88-01819-063425
Abakash: +88-02-8358485, +88-02-9342351, +88-02-9359230 (Have to book from Dhaka.)
Pacific Resort: +88-01732-434264 (St. Martin), +88-01712-643694, +88-01720-939090 (Dhaka)
Shoibal: +88-01815-014664
Swapno Probal: +88-01814-274409, +88-01722-545872 (St. Martin), +88-02-861-1428, +88-01711-110919 (Dhaka)
Simana Periye: +88-02-883-5831, +88-01911-121292
Q. Does the mobile phone network available on the island?
A. Yes. Grameen Phone and Robi network are available.
Q. How much is the price of coconut?
A. Normally 15-20 Tk. per piece. But in the season, they can demand more.
Q. Is there electricity on the island?
A. Electricity is supplied on the whole island with generators from the evening till 12 am midnight only.
Q. Is there grocery shops or markets on the island?
A. Yes. You can find your everyday requirements on the island. But being an island, some things are regularly short.
Q. What about drinking water?
A. Drinking water is available on the island. It is supplied from the underground of the island.
Q. I’ve heard there are scuba diving facilities on the island?
A. Yes. A small company gives the facility of scuba diving during the tourist season. You can contact:
Oceanic Scuba Diving Center
Phone: +88-01711-867991
Q. How much do they charge?
A. 2,000 Tk for every hour. Also, provide training. 4 days course is 15,000 Tk. every person.
Chhera Dip
A. How to go to the Chhera Dip?
Q. Speed boats and shallow engine boats go to the Chhera Dip every morning around 8-9 am. Or you can track if you wish.
A. How much is the fare?
Q. Speed boats take about 100 Tk. per person.
A. How long does it take?
Q. About 15-20 minutes in a speed boat, and 50 minutes in the shallow engine boats.
A. What about tracking?
Q. Chhera Dip is about 4-5 k.m. from the main island. In the morning, a small way comes out, but it goes down during the tide. So you have to be careful about the tide.
Have any other questions? Feel free to ask.
You said only GP Robi available in saint martin… but now this content should be updated… currently GP Robi Teletalk banglalink all mobile network is available there…
I appreciated how your post provided detailed information on the island, including the best time to visit and the various activities available. The tips on how to get there and where to stay were also very helpful.
I do have one question – do you know if there are any ships available from Teknaf to Saint Martin’s Island all year round or only during specific seasons? I’d love to plan my trip accordingly.
Ships operate between Teknaf and St. Martin’s Island only between November to March – not the whole year. Even starting in November is not guaranteed. You’ll be on the safe side if you plan during the December-February period.
From which month is ship close to journey to saint marting ?
From April normally.