Cox’s Bazar, Nov 1 (V7N)- After being closed for more than eight months, St. Martin’s Island—the country’s only coral island—has reopened to tourists on a limited basis from Saturday (November 1).

According to a government notification, tourists will be allowed to visit the island only during the daytime throughout November, with a daily limit of 2,000 visitors. However, tourists must comply with 12 government instructions issued to preserve the island’s fragile ecosystem.

Despite the reopening, the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh has announced that ship services will not resume for now, citing fears of a “tourist drought” due to strict restrictions. The decision has also cast uncertainty over the preparations made by local traders and resort owners who depend on tourism for their livelihood.

Key Government Instructions for Tourists:

  1. No vessel may operate to St. Martin’s Island without approval from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

  2. Tourists must buy tickets online through the Bangladesh Tourism Board’s official web portal; each ticket must include a QR-coded travel pass. Tickets without QR codes will be treated as fake.

  3. Travel schedules and tourist presence on the island will be strictly monitored.

  4. During November, overnight stays are prohibited—tourists can only visit during the day.

  5. Overnight stays will be allowed in December and January.

  6. Tourist travel to the island will be completely closed in February.

  7. No more than 2,000 tourists per day will be permitted.

  8. Nighttime lighting, loud noise, and beach barbecues are banned to protect the island’s environment.

  9. Entering the key forest, collecting or selling key fruits, or harming sea turtles, corals, king crabs, snails, and other wildlife is strictly prohibited.

  10. All motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and sea bikes, are banned on the beach.

  11. Carrying banned polythene or single-use plastics—such as plastic spoons, straws, chip packets, or mini soap packs—is discouraged.

  12. Tourists are advised to carry reusable water flasks instead of plastic bottles.

The government hopes the new measures will help balance tourism and conservation on the ecologically sensitive island. However, many tourism operators fear the strict regulations could hurt business during the peak winter season.

END/SMA/AJ